Read more
African American candidates for state and federal office in the United States face unique challenges, given the nation's complicated racial dynamics. While Black candidates running statewide have been elected in increasing numbers in many areas of the country, there have been fewer successes in the US South. This book examines the campaigns of Black statewide candidates in the South to untangle the factors that led to their electoral successes as well as the factors
that continue to stymie positive electoral results. Looking at broader regional demographic and political trends, the authors project that the South is on the threshold of a major breakthrough for African American statewide candidates, who will have a substantial role in not only fundamentally
changing the political dynamics of the region, but the nation as well.
About the author
Charles S. Bullock, III, is the Distinguished University Professor of Public and International Affairs, holds the Richard B. Russell Chair in Political Science, and is Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Georgia. In 2005 and 2009, he was a senior fellow at Oxford University's Rothermere American Institute. He has published extensively on southern politics, redistricting, elections, electoral systems, and public policy.
Susan A. MacManus is Distinguished University Professor Emerita at the University of South Florida. Beginning with the 2016 presidential election cycle, she has been the political analyst for WFTS-TV (ABC Action News, Tampa). She is the author of numerous publications on politics and history, and also serves on the UF Bob Graham Center For Public Service Council of Advisors and on the Board of Directors of the Florida TaxWatch Center for Florida Citizenship.
Jeremy D. Mayer is Associate Professor in the Schar School of Policy and
Government at George Mason University. He has written books and articles on diverse topics such as race and presidential campaigns, public opinion toward torture, presidential image management, Christian right politics, federalism and gay rights, and comparative political socialization.
Mark J. Rozell is the founding dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government, and the Ruth D. and John T. Hazel Chair in Public Policy at George Mason University. He is the author of numerous published studies on various topics in U.S. government and politics, including the presidency, religion and politics, southern politics, and interest group politics.
Summary
African American candidates for state and federal office in the United States face unique challenges, given the nation's complicated racial dynamics. To date, there have been only two elected African American governors in the country, the first elected in Virginia in 1989 and the second in Massachusetts in 2006. While Black candidates running statewide have been elected in increasing numbers in many areas of the country, there have been fewer successes in the US South. The relative lack of success in the South for Black candidates is puzzling given that, as a percentage of the population, the South has the highest concentration of African American citizens.
This book examines the campaigns of Black statewide candidates in the South to untangle the factors that led to their electoral successes as well as the factors that continue to stymie positive electoral results. Looking at broader regional demographic and political trends, the authors project that the South is on the threshold of a major breakthrough for African American statewide candidates, who will have a substantial role in not only fundamentally changing the political dynamics of the region, but the nation as well. This change will be driven not only by Black candidates and voters, but a rising regional coalition of racial minority and white voters who are increasingly willing to vote for Black candidates.
Additional text
The prospect for Black electoral success in statewide elections is a reality along the South's I-95 corridor. This excellent, sophisticated analysis of electoral data and changing demographics demonstrates the path to Black success in an engaging and insightful fashion. It also portends the new reality of Southern politics, where Black candidates can thrive and succeed in some of the most divisive and charged politics in over a half-century.
