Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts

Friday, November 11, 2022

Austin Davis to be Pennsylvania’s first African American Lt. Governor

Austin Davis will be Pennsylvania’s first African American Lieutenant Governor after Josh Shapiro declared victory Tuesday night.

Davis, who was endorsed by gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro in the primary, received 63% support among the three-candidate primary race.

The son of a union bus driver and a hairdresser, Davis is in his third term in the state House of Representatives.

As outlined by his campaign website, Davis serves as chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation and vice-chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee, as well as serving on the House Appropriations Committee, House Consumer Affairs Committee, House Insurance Committee, and House Transportation Committee. Plus, he is also a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Climate Caucus, and PA SAFE Caucus.

Davis and his wife reside in McKeesport where Davis began his career. In high school Davis founded and served as chairman of McKeesport Mayor Jim Brewster’s Youth Advisory Council. After graduation from the University of Pittsburgh, Davis joined the Allegheny County Executive’s office and ran for the State House in 2018.

Davis will be sworn in as Lieutenant Governor on January 17, 2023, and a special election will be called to fill his seat in the State House.

Monday, October 03, 2022

Georgetown University’s Nadia E. Brown Wins Book Award

Nadia E. Brown, a professor of government and director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., is sharing the Ralph J. Bunche from the American Political Science Association. The award is presented annually to honor the best scholarly work in political science that explores the phenomenon of ethnic and cultural pluralism.

She is being honored for the book Sister Style: The Politics of Appearance for Black Women Political Elites (Oxford University Press, 2021). In the citation for the award, the committee stated that Sister Style examines the Black female experience in politics. It centers solely on their specific experience, and their reception by Black voters — a long overdue endeavor in the field of American politics. Black women currently represent the strongest and most reliable voter demographic of the Democratic Party, putting them at the center of the partisan battle in American politics. Yet, they are simultaneously severely underrepresented in the study of American politics – in the profession, as well as in the literature. The awards committee finds Sister Style to be a crucial and long overdue addition to the literature on American politics and American pluralism, and we feel strongly about highlighting the key contribution of this important book.”

Dr. Brown is sharing the prize with co-author Danielle Casarez Lemi, a Tower Center Fellow at the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Professor Brown joined the faculty at Georgetown University in 2021 after teaching at Purdue University. Her research includes intersectionality, Black women’s politics, Black politics, gender and politics, and gender and political science. Dr. Brown is a graduate of Howard University in Wahington, D.C., and holds a Ph.D. from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Federal judges block Alabama’s congressional redistricting maps that dilute the Black vote

The Alabama Legislature’s redistricting plan for 2022 will not take effect for congressional races after a panel of three federal court judges found the map dilutes the voting power of Black residents and blocked the proposal.

Two separate federal lawsuits were filed against the redistricting map on claims that it violated the Voting Rights Act by packing Black Alabamians into a small number of districts — including one congressional district, Alabama’s seventh, represented by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham — and limiting their influence on state elections.

Blacks comprise 27 percent of Alabama’s population yet only constitute one of the state’s seven congressional districts — or 14 percent of the districts. Alabama’s 7th Congressional District was first drawn in 1992.

The panel of three judges from federal courts in Alabama found that the plaintiffs are “substantially likely to establish” that the map violates the VRA, adding that “Black voters have less opportunity than other Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice to Congress.”

The Alabama Legislature has a variety of alternative redistricting maps they can consider, the judges noted, and said a new map “will need to include two districts in which Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority or something quite close to it.”

The panel said it would provide the Legislature with an expert to redraw the lines if Montgomery can’t come up with another map in two weeks.

“We are confident that the Legislature can accomplish its task,” the judges said, pointing out that lawmakers came up with the blocked map “in a matter of days” last year.

“Black people drove a disproportionate share of Alabama’s population growth. Throughout last year, Black Alabamians publicly called on the Legislature to recognize this reality and sought equal representation in Congress,” said NAACP Legal Defense Fund Senior Counsel Deuel Ross in a statement. “The state ignored these demands, but we are deeply gratified that the unanimous court found that Black voters deserve full representation now. We look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure that Black voters are fairly represented in any remedial map.”

[SOURCE: MSN]

Friday, November 26, 2021

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announces 2022 re-election bid

Charlotte, North Carolina Mayor Vi Lyles used a holiday greeting to also touch on her political future.

In a 30-second video posted to her social media pages, Lyles not only wished the community a Happy Thanksgiving but also announced that she will run for re-election in 2022.

“I’m so proud of our community for all of the good works that we’re doing – jobs and housing and so much more,” Lyles said.

November’s election featured no races from the city of Charlotte because of the census data delays that are in legislation. Due to the larger amount of population, these city elections were delayed to early 2022 in March or April.

In 2019, Lyles, a Democrat, was re-elected as mayor over Republican David Michael Rice.

Saturday, October 30, 2021

History will be made in Virginia on Election night as a woman of color will be elected Lt. Governor

UPDATE NOVEMBER 3, 2021: WINSOME SEARS WINS VIRGINIA LT. GOVERNOR RACE

Virginia voters will make a historic choice Tuesday: They'll almost certainly elect the commonwealth's first woman lieutenant governor and the first woman of color to statewide office, cracking the glass ceiling in a state that has never elected a woman to its highest office.

Democrat Hala Ayala faces off against Republican candidate Winsome Sears for a role that is widely seen as a launching pad to the governorship — a role that's never been held by a woman, let alone a woman of color — in the state.

"I want the children, when they see me, to say to themselves: 'Well, Winsome is there. If she can do it, then I can do it.' And then you know, we move on," Sears, who is a former state delegate, told USA TODAY.

But, she added, making history only goes so far: It's the governance that matters. "If all you do is shatter the glass ceiling, and then no one can trust you, then what's the point?"

Ayala, who has Lebanese, Afro-Latina and Irish ancestry, told USA TODAY in an interview that while "representation matters," the election isn't solely about electing a woman of color.

"We must first and foremost elect the right woman of color to statewide office," Ayala said. "This is about the future of the Commonwealth. We must work very hard to continue the progress we built on," Ayala said.

A Christopher Newport University poll released Wednesday showed the two candidates in a statistical tie. Ayala has a one-point lead over Sears, 49% to 48%, which is within the survey's 3.5% margin of error.

The candidate who wins the race in Virginia will join three other Black female lieutenant governors in the nation, as Black women continue to transform their political power into leadership positions and aim for higher offices they have long been denied: No state in the U.S. has elected a Black woman as governor.

[SOURCE MSN.COM]

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Monday, October 25, 2021

Rep. Anthony Brown to run for Maryland attorney general

Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) on Monday said that he will run for Maryland Attorney General in 2022.

In a video announcement, Brown called himself a “champion for progress.”

“Sure, we’ve made progress over the years, but too many barriers exist for too many Marylanders, from health care and housing to the environment and education, to workplaces, policing and the criminal justice system,” Brown says. “I’m running for attorney general to dismantle those barriers.”

Brown is seeking to replace Brian Frosh (D), a two-term incumbent who said last week he would retire in 2022.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Thursday, September 09, 2021

Barack Obama makes campaign ad in support of Newsom ahead of California recall

Former President Obama is appearing in a TV ad backing California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) as part of his campaign's final efforts to boost Democratic turnout in next Tuesday's recall election.

Watch that ad below:

Monday, June 07, 2021

Democrat Wes Moore announces run for Governor of Maryland

Author, former nonprofit executive and combat veteran Wes Moore on Monday afternoon officially joined the field of Democratic candidates vying to become the next governor of Maryland in 2022. Watch his announcement video below:

Thursday, October 01, 2020

Black voters 'frustrated' by Trump debate comments

Some African American voters find it frustrating and exhausting that President Donald Trump did not condemn white supremacist groups and their role in violence in some US cities this summer.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Deval Patrick suspends his presidential campaign

Former Massachussetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced Wednesday that he's suspending his presidential campaign after a dismal performance in the New Hampshire primary.

Read his message to his supporters below:

Hello friends,

I believe that America is yearning for two things: better outcomes and a better way. Better outcomes in our citizens lives and a better way of achieving them.

Having delivered health care to 99% of Massachusetts residents, nation leading student achievement and energy efficiency, responsible budgets, and the highest bond rating in Massachusetts history, I believed and still believe we had a strong case to make for being able to deliver better outcomes. And having shown through legislative initiatives, economic recovery, natural and man-made disasters, and a terrorist attack that we can lead by asking people to turn to each other instead of on each other, I thought we had a pretty good case for a better way as well.

But the vote in New Hampshire last night was not enough for us to create the practical wind at the campaign's back to go on to the next round of voting. So I have decided to suspend the campaign, effective immediately.

I am not suspending my commitment to help, and neither should you. We are facing the most consequential election of our lifetime. Our democracy itself, let alone our civic commitments to equality, opportunity and fair play, are at risk.

Americans are hurting. Having to hold two or three low wage jobs to survive, trying to keep up with tuition, the rent or a mortgage, and health care premiums, doubting whether the schools in your neighborhood will prepare your kids for life and work -- these are the challenges too many Americans face. In the midst of such economic anxiety and social unease, some will divide us for political gain. Others will use this moment to unite us. Both paths are, historically speaking, American. Only one is patriotic. I choose patriotism. And so should you.

Patriotism demands, now more than ever, that we reject false choices. Despite our righteous anger, Democrats don't have to hate Republicans to be good Democrats. We don't have to hate business to fight for social justice or to hate police to believe black lives matter. In that same spirit, we don't have to hate moderation to be a good progressive. I say that because, unlike most other candidates, I have actually delivered progressive results using a moderate approach. Leaving room in our plans and our hearts for people who may not agree with us on everything is the only way to make lasting change. I don't fit in an ideological box and most people I meet don't either. We cannot, and will not, defeat Donald Trump by relying exclusively on old labels, poll-tested messages and cable news hits. We must meet people where they are and ask them to do the same for us.

I could see last night in the faces of many of our supporters that this setback is hard. But let's keep our perspective. Hard is choosing between paying the heat or the rent in the same month. Hard is not knowing if you'll be able to afford the prescription drugs that keep you alive. Hard is serving your country in the military and not being able to live off the streets when you come home. Hard is being called the N word by fellow citizens leaving and inspired by a rally for the President of the United States. Hard is trying to vote when your own government doesn't believe you should have a say. Hard is wondering whether you or your family will be deported from the only country you've really ever known, to which you've paid taxes or for which you've worn the uniform, because you once sought refuge from violence or despair. Hard is facing a cancer diagnosis, especially if you don't think you're covered. These and similar questions can only be answered by deciding the character of the country. That's what's at stake right now. I've never been afraid of doing what's hard -- only of missing the opportunity to do what's right.

Doing what's right and fighting for justice are my life's work. That work doesn't end here because it didn't start here. On the South Side of Chicago, where I grew up, people have felt for generations the urgency so many of us feel now. We have a unique opportunity to use our shared pain redemptively to bring the country together. No one can stand on the sidelines at a time like this. I, for one, will not. Failing to engage risks losing a lot more than an election next November.

So, I am grateful to you for your support and will likely call upon you again, because "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice" when you and I and others make that work our own.

Ever forward! Ever thankful!

DLP

Wednesday, February 05, 2020

Sen. Booker's full statement on Trump's impeachment trial

On Feb. 4, senators weighed in for a second day on whether they would vote to remove President Donald Trump from office. The speeches come one day before the Senate decides whether to convict or acquit Trump on two articles of impeachment -- abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said impeachment is a "profoundly sad time" for the country, saying that President Donald Trump is "guilty of committing high crimes and misdemeanors." He asked how the United States would heal from such a dark day, but that the hopes of the nation would lie with its people.

Watch his speech below:

Saturday, January 25, 2020

New Jersey State Senator Ronald L. Rice Endorses Joe Biden

New Jersey State Senator and Black Caucus Chair Ronald L. Rice released the following statement endorsing Joe Biden for President of the United States:

“Since my earliest days as a City of Newark Council Member and Deputy Mayor, through my 34 years as a State Senator, I have done my best to bring attention to and correct social injustice in all its forms. As the longest-serving African-American legislator in state history, I have fought hard for comprehensive criminal justice reform; accessible, affordable health care; world-class, transformative education for our children and compassionate, empowering services for seniors. I have stood up for the rights, well-being and prosperity of all, regardless of neighborhood, social status and zip code.

“As America approaches the most consequential crossroad of our lifetimes, I raise my voice against the harm inflicted by our current President and stand in proud solidarity with those who choose to forge a future of fairness, decency, progress and hope. I stand united with those especially wounded by the current administration, black and brown citizens who’ve been neglected, abandoned and jeopardized by the nomination of right wing judges and oppressive legislation.

“Today, as an extension of my commitment to those I serve, I announce my support of Joe Biden for president of the United States. I do so with full confidence that he will stand up for all of us, and that he will especially champion the advancement of people of color. Since civil rights first brought him into public service, Joe Biden has never shied from calling out and tackling systemic racism. His vision for America is one based on equal opportunity for all — which is why I’m proud to endorse Joe Biden for president.”

Senator Rice’s endorsement builds on the strong foundation of support that Joe Biden has already established in the state of New Jersey — including the recent endorsements of Congressman Donald Payne (NJ-10), Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-7), and former governors of New Jersey Jim Florio and Richard Codey.

Senator Rice’s endorsement highlights the breadth of Biden’s proven record and commitment to the kitchen table issues that working families prioritize including comprehensive criminal justice reform, health care, education for our children and services for our aging population.

Biden for President has previously announced more than 1,100 endorsements from national, state, and local leaders, including current and former U.S. senators and representatives, governors, state elected officials, community leaders, and national security professionals.

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Barack Obama statement on John Lewis cancer diagnosis

Former President Barack Obama took to Twitter to send a message to his friend Rep. John Lewis after Lewis announced that he had stage four pancreatic cancer:

If there’s one thing I love about @RepJohnLewis, it’s his incomparable will to fight. I know he’s got a lot more of that left in him. Praying for you, my friend.

Sunday, December 01, 2019

Cory Booker appeals for donations to keep 2020 campaign afloat

Struggling to keep his presidential campaign afloat, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker appeared on "Face the Nation." and appealed for donations to ensure he can qualify for the next debate and continue his months-long pursuit of a spot in the top tier of the Democratic primary field.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Rep. Marcia Fudge not happy with Kamala Harris campaign manager

A recent NY Times article has painted a picture of the Kamala Harris presidential campaign as failing and lacking direction or leadership.

Several staffers have left the campaign and one of those staffers Kelly Mehlenbecher, the campaign’s state operations director, wrote a blistering resignation letter that paints a picture of low morale among staffers of a directionless campaign with "no real plan to win" ahead of the crucial Iowa caucus in 2020.

In the letter Mehlenbecher lays much of the blame at the feet of campaign manager Juan Rodriguez.

Others including an early supporter, Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) have also chimed in the leadership of Rodriguez.

"I have told her there needs to be a change," Fudge told the Times. "The weakness is at the top. And it's clearly Juan. He needs to take responsibility — that's where the buck stops."

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Obama's warning to 2020 Democratic candidates

Former President Barack Obama urges the field of Democratic presidential hopefuls to "pay some attention to where voters actually are," warning them about going so far on certain policies that they become out of step with voters.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Charniele L. Herring: First African American Majority Leader of the Virginia General Assembly

After flipping both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly, Democrats made a historic leadership selection on Saturday November 9, 2019.

Del. Charniele L. Herring (Alexandria) was selected be the new majority leader, becoming the first woman and the first African American to serve in that post.

“To me, everyone’s a leader in that room,” Herring said. “We are unified and ready to get to work.”

Maryland city elects first African American mayor

Bowie, Maryland elected its first African-American mayor, Tim Adams. He is also the first person with a physical disability to be elected a mayor.

Bowie, is situated in Prince George’s county which is known as the wealthiest Black county in the United States of America.

Adams is the city’s first new mayor in 20 years and also its first Black mayor. The new mayor has been wheelchair-bound after he was involved in accident years back.

Adams reacted to his election thus: “I think being the first Black mayor of Bowie, in particular, is something that is historic. It’s very humbling.”

Adams is a successful entrepreneur who provides support to customers of the department of defence. He has been a resident of Bowie for 25 years.

History made as Ohio city elect first African American mayor

Tuesday’s election in North College Hill, Ohio was nothing short of historic as voters elected Tracie Nichols the first African American mayor of North College Hill.

Nichols, who has served on the North College Hill board for several years, is also the third woman to hold the city’s top office.

“I’m just elated and happy that the people chose me,” Nichols said. “I’m ready to go out and do great things.”

As mayor, Nichols says she plans to make North College Hill a model for neighborhoods across Cincinnati.

“We’re a family-oriented community. We want things for our residents in our community and to bring people in and say, ‘hey they’re doing this over in North College Hill. I want to be a part of that,’” Nichols said.

[SOURCE:WCPO]

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on the Passing of Former Congressman John Conyers

The Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement on the passing of founding CBC Member and Former Congressman John Conyers:

“The Congressional Black Caucus mourns the loss of one of its founding members, the longest-serving African American in Congress, and the former Dean of the House – Congressman John Conyers. A son of Detroit and champion of civil rights, Mr. Conyers lived a life dedicated to serving the community in which he was raised. He leaves a legacy of more than 5 decades of systematic change that continues to transform our country for the better to this day.

"Congressman Conyers was a veteran and soldier in the civil rights movement. After serving in the Michigan National Guard and the United States Army, he turned his efforts to voting rights and participated in the 1963 voter registration effort in Selma, Alabama. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1964, with the endorsement of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and immediately tapped Rosa Parks to serve by his side. Congressman Conyers quickly became a trailblazer for liberal issues that eventually became mainstream.

"Just four days after the assassination of Dr. King, Congressman Conyers introduced a bill to create a federal holiday in his honor and reintroduced the bill every year for 15 years until it was signed into law. Mr. Conyers continued his pursuit of voting rights in Congress as a lead co-sponsor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Mr. Conyers was an ardent opponent of the death penalty and fought for police brutality oversight. Now a major issue in the Democratic Presidential debates, Mr. Conyers was the first to introduce the Expanded and Improved Medicare For All Act, legislation to establish a government-sponsored, single-payer healthcare option to control costs. Mr. Conyers also championed the issue of reparations by introducing a bill to establish a commission to study the issue of slavery and race relations in America, which he fought for consideration every year.

"His fight for justice extended to international issues as well. Mr. Conyers was an early leader in the anti-Vietnam War movement, in addition to the anti-Iraq War movement. He was also a vocal opponent of South Africa’s apartheid policies. Congressman Conyers joined Congressman Ron Dellums and other CBC Members in confronting President Nixon about imposing sanctions against South Africa. When it became clear he would not act, Congressman Conyers joined Congressman Dellums in introducing legislation to that end and was even arrested at a protest in front of the South African embassy.

"Congressman Conyers chaired the Government Oversight and Reform Committee (formerly the Government Operations Committee) and was the first African American to chair the influential Judiciary Committee.

"For the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Conyers was more than a founding member. He was a guiding light. We will continue his vision by serving as the “Conscience of the Congress” in pursuit of justice for all Americans. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, sons, family, and friends.”