A Morganton resident and Democratic National Convention delegate, Grayson Barnett, eagerly anticipates Vice President Kamala Harris' acceptance speech on Aug. 22 in Chicago. Barnett, representing North Carolina as one of 168 delegates, is the founder of Express Lane Strategies, a public relations firm. He emphasizes the Democrats' role as the party of the working class and the importance of protecting working-class interests. Barnett finds appeal in Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Delegates like Barnett cover their own expenses to attend the convention.