Black Politicians' Rise Signals Changing Electorate

A change in the electorate may be under way as a growing number of blacks are winning local elections nationwide—more and more often across color lines, the New York Times reports. Some 16% of black legislators represented mainly white districts in 2001; by 2007, that figure had nearly doubled. While most of the country's 622 black state legislators represent largely black communities, the shift may suggest white voters are growing more comfortable with black leaders, the Times notes.

“There’s a fair amount of experience out there among white voters now, and that has lessened the fears about black candidates,” says the author of a book on the subject. Notable examples include the mayors of predominantly white Asheville, NC, and Columbus, Ohio, as well as the governor of 79% white Massachusetts. Will support for local black officials help Barack Obama? Many black legislators say no, but some analysts disagree.
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