Rallying Black voters in Wisconsin top of mind for both parties

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- We are about five months away from the 2024 presidential election and campaigning to reach minority voters is ramping up on both sides.

Leaders from both parties say they're focusing efforts on connecting with Black Wisconsinites. Experts say Black voters are going to play an important role in the outcome of this year's presidential election.

"The stakes of this election could not be any higher for Black communities and for Black Wisconsinites," said State Senator LaTonya Johnson. Researchers say in the past Black voters have largely supported the democratic party, but the strength of that support might not hold as strong as it did in 2020.

"Black Voters for Biden-Harris" is working to keep the votes within their party, holding a news conference Friday morning to rally support.

"President Biden's got an outstanding record delivering for Black people in Wisconsin, here in Milwaukee, and across the United States," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Dems are hoping to connect with Black voters about key issues like health care and inflation ahead of the election.

"For the first time in 20 years, the Democratic party's apparatus for electing president will be based right here in Milwaukee....that's done with purpose because President Biden understands the importance of the Black vote," said Mayor Johnson.

Meanwhile, Republicans say they're also working to reach more minority voters and have been. "The outreach has not stopped. For all communities. We've gone to Garfield Days, we've gone to Juneteenth, we have our office still on the northside on MLK Drive with the state party," said Hilario Deleon, Republican Party of Milwaukee County Chairman.

Deleon says the party is focused on addressing key issues with minority voters like inflation, crime, and education, but local democratic leaders say the GOP is not connecting to Black voters.

"Yes, the party for years may have not done that, but they can't say that we're not doing that anymore. President Trump has been out to many communities reaching out to minority communities," Deleon said.

Senator Johnson said Republicans have abandoned efforts to reach the Black community. Deleon says that's simply not true. "The outreach efforts never stopped. I've been everywhere that I could be and even the mayor has seen me out there. He knows who I am," he said.

Boots on the ground outreach will be important for the Republican party over the next several months. Data from the Pew Research Center found that nearly 80% of Black registered voters said they would vote Democrat if the election were today.

They also found Black voters to be critical of former President Trump but, despite that, about 49% still said they would replace both candidates if they could.