Unlike the Republican delegates—who were chased and divided up during a harrowing primary—the delegates attending the Democratic National Convention were a foregone conclusion. They would arrive in Charlotte in solidarity, casting their votes for the sitting President who on Wednesday night became the Party’s official nominee.

But while they’re united behind Barack Obama and his quest to revive the economy, their pet causes range: from protecting the environment to improving education, from expanding gay rights to defending abortion rights. They are a diverse group, in age, race and creed.

Photographer Grant Cornett took to the streets of North Carolina, capturing members from each state’s delegation. His work puts a face on the Democratic Party of 2012.

To see the Republican delegates from last week click here.

Katy Steinmetz is a reporter in TIME’s Washington bureau. In addition to working on features for TIME and TIME.com, she contributes to TIME’s Swampland, Healthland and NewsFeed blogs.