DNC: Black voters re-energized as convention comes to a close

 

CHICAGO (CBS 58) -- Vice President Kamala Harris' rise to the top of the Democratic ticket has re-energized Black voters this election cycle which was echoed during the final night of the Democratic National Convention.

Over the last several presidential elections, Democrats have won a majority of the African American vote, but public opinion polls show Black men are up for grabs now than past elections.

It comes as the Harris campaign is working to ease concerns among young and low-income Black voters who are concerned about rising costs, a major issue in the race.

Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nevada), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, said the recently announced economic proposal unveiled by the campaign could help alleviate those worries.

"Her economic plan that is focused on reducing the cost of rent making housing more affordable and raising the wage so that more workers can get ahead," aid Horsford.

Multiple polls show Harris is preforming better with Black voters than President Joe Biden was, but she still lags behind former President Barack Obama 2008 levels.

Seventy-seven percent of Black voters surveyed say they would vote for or lean toward Harris if the 2024 presidential election were held today, according to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted the week before the start of the Democratic National Convention.

Another 13% say they would back or lean toward Trump.

Some voters believe having the opportunity to elect the first Black, South Asian woman president could be the tipping point this election.

"To be in the room with a Black woman who has made it this far in the election process, this is a moment in history," said Marissa Rudd who traveled from New York for the convention. "I want to celebrate that because Black people have been disenfranchised for years and to see her take up this opportunity is monumental and inspiring."

While Harris has the upper hand with African American voters, even a minor change in voting patterns in crucial swing states could shift the race in unexpected ways.

"We have to keep building relationships with the Black community and continue to have a two-way conversation," said Felesia Martin, a Milwaukee delegate.

Terrell Martin, a Wisconsin delegate, said get out of the vote efforts in Milwaukee County have surged in recent weeks, which he called a sign that their messaging is working in the Black community.

"We just have to keep talking to voters and let them know what's at stake in this election," Martin said.