Democratic National Convention: Rep. Boyd Hopes Democrats Highlight Accomplishments

Ohio Rep. Barbara Boyd (D-Cleveland) is a member of the state's delegation for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, an appointment she's received several times.

She hopes that speakers at this year's convention, which runs this week in Charlotte, NC, will highlight accomplishments of the party during the past four years.

"I’m hoping to hear more about what we have accomplished, things have we have to accomplish, where we were four years ago in September and the fact that we have come a long way," said Boyd, who is a representative in the 9th district, which includes Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, University Heights and portions of Cleveland. "We will stand behind our president because he is the best thing that’s happened since Bill Clinton."

Boyd was first elected to be a state representative in 1992 and served four terms. She left because of term limits, but ran again in 2006 and won, according to information on the Ohio House of Representatives website.

Boyd, the first African-American elected to council in Cleveland Heights, listed reasons she was proud of the Democratic Party.

"Because we stand for people and people who have a little, people who have been through the Civil Rights Movement, Women's Rights Movement, people who will speak for those who need someone to speak for them," she said.

She said the key to winning this year's election is turnout.

"I am totally against restriction. I think the way it was done in 2008 was fair and equitable and was something that made people feel they had to get out and vote," Boyd said.

Cleveland Heights Vice Mayor Dennis Wilcox is also a member of the Ohio Delegation. Look for an article about Wilcox Wednesday.