Inside the Democrat Civil War: Progressives' Problem With Black Voters
As a progressive wave washes over Democratic primaries, many Black voters are sticking with more moderate candidates.
Progressives are facing challenges in gaining the support of Black voters in Democratic primaries across cities like New York City, Denver, and Detroit. These candidates, including democratic socialists, are encountering frustration within the Democratic Party as more moderate voices oppose their progressive agenda. Black Democrats are generally more moderate than their white counterparts, and moderate candidates have performed well in areas with significant Black populations during recent primaries, even when progressive candidates ultimately won.
However, some progressive candidates, such as Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have struggled to win over Black voters in their respective primaries. Experts suggest that the success of progressive candidates among Black voters hinges on their ability to win elections, which could demonstrate their capacity to deliver results.
The generational divide also plays a role, with younger Black voters more open to progressive candidates compared to older voters. While there are areas of alignment between the concerns of Black voters and the policies of democratic socialists, communication remains crucial in conveying the merits of progressive policies to this critical demographic.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
