The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) announced a new initiative to reach out to Black voters in seven states with pivotal Senate races, including Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Maryland, Texas, and Florida. The campaign aims to emphasize the importance of participating in the upcoming elections and counter fears of declining enthusiasm among Black voters. The ads will be running in local Black media outlets, encouraging voters to make their voices heard and plan to vote at IWillVote.com. The DSCC aims to build on Senate Democrats’ efforts to engage Black voters and ensure that they have the information they need for the 2024 Senate election.
Recent polling indicates that former President Donald Trump is gaining support among Black men, traditionally reliable supporters of the Democratic Party. Vice President Kamala Harris, who leads the ticket, is facing challenges in matching President Biden’s margin with the Black demographic. A recent poll showed that 76% of Black voters would support Harris if the election were held that day, compared to the 90% of Black voters who supported Biden in 2020. In response to these concerns, Harris’s campaign unveiled an “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” which includes measures such as fully forgivable loans for Black entrepreneurs, a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency, and legalizing recreational marijuana.
National Republican Senate Committee Communications Director Mike Berg attributed the struggles of Kamala Harris and Senate Democrats with Black voters to issues such as high grocery prices, mass illegal immigration, and taxpayer funds being used to pay for gender transition surgery for murderers. Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn expressed concern about Black voters supporting Republicans, while former President Barack Obama also acknowledged worries about Black men not supporting a woman as president. Harris responded to questions about her support among Black men, stating that they expect their vote to be earned and emphasizing her efforts to engage with voters on various platforms.
Harris participated in an audio town hall with “Breakfast Club” co-host Charlamagne Tha God, who is popular with Black listeners, to engage with a broader audience of Black voters. The outreach efforts by Democrats to shore up Black voter turnout and support in crucial Senate races come amid concerns about declining enthusiasm among Black voters and gains made by former President Donald Trump with Black men. The campaign aims to ensure that Black voters have the information they need to make their voices heard in the 2024 Senate election and defend the Democrats’ Senate majority that is fighting for the values and priorities of Black Americans.
