This was obvious in 2016 when 94 percent of black women voted for Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton and comparable numbers continued to support the party in the local elections that followed.
But will the group that produces voters reliably for the Democratic Party now produce some of the newest faces leading it?
Stacey Abrams, 44, a former minority leader of the Georgia General Assembly, is vying to become the country’s first black female governor by seeking the Democratic nomination in Georgia’s gubernatorial primary on Tuesday. She is battling Stacey Evans, also a former state legislator, to compete in a general election that is going to be challenging for any Democratic candidate.
The Washington Post’s Vanessa Williams profiled Abrams. She sums up the forces that are working for and against Abrams in Democratic politics:
Democratic strategist Angela Rye, who was in Georgia on Monday campaigning for Abrams, said that it is past time for some of the most loyal Democrats to take the reins of the party.
But because of the tense political climate in 2018, some party leaders think that the Democratic Party should prioritize elevating “electable” candidates.
“The times are challenging and we need to grow our political power, and we need to ensure that we are putting people in office that are bold and brave and pushing our agenda and unafraid and work hard,” Rye said.
“There’s going to be some tough conversations and some strained friendships. But it is what it is. We have got work to do,” Rye added.
