‘We Can’t Let the Party off the Hook’: Black Voters Demand Results After Democrats’ Midterm Wins

Black voters are again rightfully getting their flowers for delivering a “Blue Tsunami” in last week’s midterm election. Exit polls show Black voters, who had near-historically high turnout rates in key states, overwhelmingly backed Democrats over Republicans, 90% to 9%.

But as Democrats celebrate the consequential and historic wins on Nov. 3 that gave them huge majorities in the U.S. Congress and governorships, the “Black-lash” isn’t over simply because Black voters delivered at the ballot box. Now, Democrats must do what Black voters expect of them.

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Woodbury’s warning reflects a broader sentiment among Black political strategists and organizers who say the next Congress must turn electoral victories into tangible results for Black communities, particularly in economic opportunity, affordability, and the protection of voting rights.

The pollster told theGrio that while Democrats won 90% of Black votes on election night, less than half said they believe that Democrats will make their lives better. It reflects a reality that the so-called backbone of the Democratic Party isn’t guaranteed to show up at the polls for them in future elections.

Democratic leaders also recognize the marching orders from Black voters.

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Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, said Black voters expect action from the newly elected Congress, even as Democrats face the challenges of governing with President Donald Trump in the White House.

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Exit poll data from the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation showed that a little more than 71% of Black voters said they backed Democrats who they believed would protect voting rights and combat racism and hate.

Campbell is among several Black-led organizations already developing policy agendas and plans for the first 100 days of the new Congress, focusing on voting rights, economic opportunity, and other priorities affecting Black communities. The State of the People, for example, is releasing a comprehensive policy book called “The Black Papers.”

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Democratic strategist Ashley Etienne, who previously served as communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris, said the midterm elections demonstrated the political leverage Black voters now possess and the importance of using it to demand meaningful policy changes.

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The pollster said Democrats must recognize that Black voters were motivated not simply by party loyalty but by a desire to protect their rights, improve their communities and prevent further harm.

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