Several Stateline Democrats Head to Charlotte for the DNCC

ROCKFORD -Several delegates from the Stateline head to North Carolina next week for the Democratic National Convention.  Three delegates, including Rep. Chuck Jefferson (D-Rockford), are from Rockford. 

Sunil Puri is the president of the Rockford First Group.  He says this is the sixth DNCC he's been invited to attend as a delegate.

"It's quite an honor to be especially from the home state of the president because that's a delegation that gets to sit right up from," said Puri.  "I've experienced sitting in the nosebleed section before."

Rock Valley College trustee, Mary Tuite, says she's excited for the opportunity.  She's worried a Romney administration would bring back memories of the Bush administration, and that's why she's so supportive of Obama.

"Women's equality, the right to have control over your own body, the opportunity for education for all, immigration, the Affordable Healthcare Act, I think those are high values that I share with the President," said Tuite.

Tuite says the highlight of her week down in Charlotte will be signing the form that makes Barack Obama the democratic nominee for president for a second time.

Representative Jefferson says he flies out on Sunday for the big event.  He's been watching the republicans down in Tampa and says they need to get their facts straight.

"They're trying to position themselves with their delegation and sometimes you misspeak things," said Jefferson.  "You don't say them exactly the way they should be said but that's all part of politics."

Jefferson says next week will be a great chance for the party of solidify their ideas much like the GOP did this week.  He says supporting Obama's work during this term will be important to winning another term.

"He's doing the right things in relation to energy, creating jobs, putting people back to work, supporting people that need to be supported," Jefferson said.

All of the delegates are excited for the educational opportunities at the convention as well as the chances to volunteer around Charlotte.  Puri says he's signed up to volunteer with about 5,000 other democrats to send care packages to troops overseas.  The businessman says as much as he's excited for the convention, Puri has a message for the president.

"Of course I support him to be our president," said Puri.  "But I will just caution him that there is a greater purpose which is a nation above just a presidential election."