Support for Republican candidates among black voters saw an uptick during the midterm elections, a new survey revealed Saturday, marking a significant blow to Democrats with an important voter base.
Conservative candidates nationwide found support among black voters increase to 14%, according to AP VoteCast, up from 8% in the midterm elections four years ago. In states such as Georgia, the results were even more noticeable, with Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) more than doubling his support among black voters to 12%, compared to 5% in 2018.
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One Georgia voter, who switched parties in 2016, said that she resonated more with the Republican Party’s platform, rather than the handouts and government assistance from Democrats.
“That bothered me,” Janet Piroleau told the Associated Press. “For me, it was about being accountable and responsible and making your own decisions and not depending on the government to bail you out.”
Other black voters cited immigration, border security, and the economy as important issues for their votes, which aligned more strongly with the Republican platform.
The change comes as the Republican Party has increased its efforts to reach black voters on the national scale. Conservative leaders and candidates conducted town halls, roundtables, prayer gatherings, and school choice events to hear the needs of the black community, according to Jamiyah Thomas, a former black media affairs manager for the Republican National Convention.
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Friday’s survey also showed an increase in support for the GOP among Latino voters in November, but the gains were not as substantial as the party had hoped, and Republican Latino candidates did not win many races. In fact, Republicans only gained one Hispanic seat in the House of Representatives, bringing the total to 11 Hispanic Republicans in the House, compared to 35 for Democats, according to AP.
Although it is too soon to tell if the increase marks the start of a trend, it does highlight a potential issue for Democrats in the 2024 elections and the next midterm cycle in 2026.
