Influencer John Russell puts rural development at the heart of his pitch to Harris: NPR

Content creator John Russell speaks on stage during the final day of the DNC in Chicago.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images North America

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images North America

The NPR Network will be reporting live from Chicago all week the latest news from the Democratic National Convention.

John Russell, one of the many content creators at the conference, took the stage to center rural communities and advocate for jobs and manufacturing in the clean energy sector.

“We in West Virginia know all too well that in the 1920s they called us ‘rednecks,’ because striking workers of all different races wore red bandanas around their necks as they fought and died for respect and a living wage,” he said.

Russell has gained popularity on social media with over 180,000 followers on TikTok. On the main stage, he criticized former President Donald Trump for being a billionaire who wants to increase fossil fuel production and trading.

His speech began with a video in which he interviewed union members who work in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

“Working-class people across the country are looking for a political home after years of both parties putting profits over people,” he said in his speech from the podium to cheers.