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5 Nevadans Land Speaking Slots At DNC In Philly

Five Nevadans have landed speaking slots at this week's Democratic National Convention, highlighting the Silver State’s vaunted swing state status.

Those include Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, state Sen. Pat Spearman and 4th District congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen.

Kihuen, who was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Las Vegas, is seen as a rising star in the party.

“I think you’re going to see a stark contrast from what we saw in the last four days of the Republican National Convention,” says Kihuen. “I’m honestly just very honored to share my story and also address our country on behalf of the state of Nevada.”

Kihuen says it's no secret Nevada is a critical battleground state this election.

“Nevada is and will continue to be a competitive swing state,” he says. “Democrats are not taking Nevada for granted.”

Nevada’s lawmakers join two other speakers from the Silver State: immigration activist Astrid Silva and Karla Ortiz.

Astrid Silva, a 28-year-old undocumented immigrant from Mexico, will speak Monday night during a primetime address before keynote speakers Bernie Sanders and Michelle Obama.

Silva’s speech will focus on “putting the future of American families front and center,” according to the DNC website.

Also speaking Monday night is Karla Ortiz, a 10-year-old from Las Vegas. Ortiz shared her fears about her undocumented parents being deported during a campaign event with Clinton earlier this year. Her story was featured in a campaign ad for Clinton (below).

She and her mother, Francisca, will take the stage before Silva. 

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