Interview with Deaf DNC Delegate Eric Scheir

Here is an interview with Eric Scheir, who was selected as a Washington state delegate and will be attending the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He is from Seattle.

[Begin interview]

Alex: You are the first Deaf delegate for the Democratic Party in Washington state. Can you describe your position and how you got this honor?

Eric Scheir: Back then, when Hillary Clinton ran for the presidency, I was very drawn to her. I wanted to support something different, a woman. I decided to run to be a delegate at the Washington state conference. I was selected and got involved at the state convention. I then ran to go to the national convention but did not get enough votes. I was just not that well-known in the political community in Washington state. I then applied to be a delegate for Biden. I won for the Washington state convention. Then they opened up opportunities for the national convention this year. I applied and was selected by the state’s party committee based on my experience. I won and became the first Deaf Washington state delegate that will physically appear at the convention. I did show up to the national convention four years ago but it was virtual. It’s not the same experience. I’m looking forward to going to Chicago in two weeks!

Alex: I know that delegates typically represent the will of the voters in a particular region. For example, you’re in Seattle. If a high percentage wants a certain candidate to be president, then when you go to the national convention, it’s your responsibility to put in a vote to represent your region, to represent the will of the voters there. Is that how it works?

Eric: Yes. I applied as a Biden delegate. I pledged my support to Biden. Then after the voting period, there were two categories: those who supported Biden and a percentage of people, which is required by our Democratic Party, of uncommitted delegates. It’s those who don’t support Biden and want to support someone else. Our state has two uncommitted delegates. So when Biden decided to drop out and have Kamala Harris take his place, we couldn’t support Kamala unless Biden released his pledged delegates. When Biden released us, all of us then pledged support towards Kamala. It’s really exciting for us. It’s something new.

Alex: I wonder what was your first reaction — and your delegate colleagues — was when Joe Biden announced that he was dropping out. It feels like it’s been around a month ago?

Eric: Three weeks ago.

Alex: What was your reaction? Shocked?

Eric: I was shocked. We knew that Biden’s mental capacities were declining. He’s aging fast. We were very concerned about whether our Democratic Party could win. I’m happy that Biden made a wise decision to drop out and to nominate Kamala as his replacement. It’s very wise. Biden did a good deed for our country.

Alex: You’re Deaf. How do you have access to communicate with other hearing delegates?

Eric: In Washington state, we conduct regular meetings via Zoom. I use a VRS company. I call them and then an interpreter connects with the Zoom call. On the screen, there’s a phone icon with my phone number. That’s the interpreter. So I’m able to watch the meeting and be involved in open discussions. But many of the Zoom calls are just for the panelists. Interpreters are typically not provided. There are captions and it’s fine for me because there’s no questions or discussion involved. So Washington state has been great.

Alex: Thank you and good luck on going to Chicago!

Eric: Thank you for having me.

[End interview]

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Alex: Thank you, Eric Scheir, for the interview.

Scheir said there will be interpreters at the DNC convention in Chicago for the main presentations and sessions but he’s still working with the DNC and city of Chicago to get a personal interpreter so he can communicate with his delegate colleagues.

Scheir said he and his Deaf colleagues started a Facebook page called “Deaf People and Allies for Harris and Walz.” You can check it out.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1653635482053982