Carmichaels teacher living her dream as DNC delegate
Photo courtesy of Maddie Snyder Maddie Snyder of Jefferson, right, and her cousin, Heather Steinmiller, stand on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia during the first night Monday.
Photo courtesy of Maddie Snyder Maddie Snyder of Jefferson, left, and her cousin, Heather Steinmiller, stand by the Pennsylvania delegationþÄôs sign just before nominating Hillary Clinton for president Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Maddie Snyder, right, and Heather Steinmiller stand with former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris while attending the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Snyder, an elected delegate from Jefferson, and Steinmiller are in Philadelphia this week to attend the DNC.
The marker for Pennsylvania’s delegates is seen Saturday as setup continued before the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Maddie Snyder grew up dreaming of one day becoming the first female president.
Now she’s a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this week, prepared to help nominate the first woman to run for president on a major party’s ticket.
“To have a female on the ballot – it’s not even a convention – to me it’s monumental to potentially elect a female president,” Snyder said. “That was always my dream as a kid. I wanted to be president when I was a kid.
“I’m living vicariously through Hillary because I’ve always admired her and can’t wait to be there and support her.”
Democrats will be nominating former U.S. senator and secretary of state Hillary Clinton to run against Republican Donald Trump in the general election for president.
Snyder, 27, a Jefferson native and kindergarten teacher at Carmichaels, was elected as a delegate during the April primary to represent the Ninth Congressional District, where she lives. She’ll be attending the convention with her cousin, Heather Steinmiller, who is originally from Waynesburg and now works as an attorney in Philadelphia. Attempts to reach Steinmiller for comment were unsuccessful.
Both are delegate “whips” charged with organizing the delegates in their respective districts, making sure they arrive to the convention on time and – most importantly – vote during the nominating process. Snyder is overseeing eight delegates who live throughout the sprawling congressional district that runs from Carmichaels to Gettysburg.
“I’m pumped. I’m so excited,” Snyder said. “I’ve always been interested in the political process since I was little. I was the nerdy kid in elementary school who wanted to talk about elections and voting and educating my friends about it.”
Politics has always been a part of Snyder’s life.
Snyder, the daughter of state Rep. Pam Snyder and chairwoman for the Greene County Democratic Committee, has attended two other Democratic conventions with her family.
She was 15 when she went to Boston in 2004 for the nomination of John Kerry and was “up close and personal,” sitting a few seats away, while his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, spoke at the convention. Snyder returned to the Democratic convention in Denver four years later as a college sophomore for Barack Obama’s nomination.
Both times she was a spectator, however, meaning this will be the first time she’ll be a part of the voting process. Her mother will not be attending the convention, Snyder said.
While the Republican convention in Cleveland last week experienced some discord when former presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas refused to endorse Trump, Snyder expects the Democratic convention to unify following its bruising primary between Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
“I do anticipate it to be harmonious just for the fact Bernie Sanders finally endorsed Hillary,” she said. “That was the last hurdle, and now we’re unified.”
There is somewhat of a gray cloud hovering over the Ninth Congressional District’s delegate team in Philadelphia.
Deanna Vicites of South Union was supposed to attend the convention after her husband, Vincent Vicites, a Fayette County commissioner, won a spot during the primary and offered to let his wife go in his place.
However, Deanna Vicites, 47, was arrested and charged with attempted homicide July 17 after authorities said she shot her husband in the neck inside their home. Vincent Vicites remains hospitalized, while Deanna Vicites is being held without bond at the Fayette County jail. She has since resigned her position as a delegate.
Just hours before the shooting, Snyder attempted to reach all of the delegates she’s supervising and heard back from everyone except Deanna Vicites.
“I was appalled when I found it had happened. I haven’t received any details from the Clinton campaign (about what to do with the empty delegate’s position),” Snyder said. “She obviously won’t be attending.”
With that situation now behind the delegates, Snyder is focused on the convention. She’s excited for the opportunity to be a part of history and plans to enjoy each moment.
“I’m having some good vibes,” Snyder said.