By Kelechukwu Iruoma
Black Democrats account for a relatively small share of the electorate in Arizona, but they’re thrilled at the prospect of electing Kamala Harris as president.
“Her candidacy is a big deal for the African American community in Arizona,” said Nicole Brown, a communications strategist from Tempe and according to state party officials, one of 18 Black delegates from Arizona at the Democratic National Convention this week.
With roughly 5% of the state’s population, Black Arizonans aren’t usually a major factor in elections. But Democratic activists say their enthusiasm is especially high for the vice president, who would be the first female president, and the first Asian American or Black woman president, if she defeats former President Donald Trump.
“We just need to turn out more. What we are doing in Arizona is to make sure the Black votes turn out to make sure that we have good effects on the election of Kamala Harris,” said Robert Branscomb, vice chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.
That includes calling voters and canvassing neighborhoods to encourage turnout.
According to a report from the Center for Inclusive Democracy, 32% of eligible Black voters nationwide cast ballots in 2022, down from 39% in the previous midterm elections in 2018.
“Our votes will count and our votes will matter,” said delegate Eric Limbs, deputy executive director of the Maricopa County Democratic Party, predicting high turnout among Black voters in November.
Democrats in Arizona are focused on helping Black voters “understand how important this election is and ensure that they are excited to cast their votes for Kamala Harris,” he said. “I am confident the Black community will make an impact in the coming election.”
But Black Democrats also voiced concerns about race-based attacks on Harris.
Speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on July 31, Trump claimed that Harris “happened to turn Black” a few years ago after long representing herself as Indian American.
Harris attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., a historically Black university. Her father is from Jamaica and her mother was from India. Allies denounced Trump for race-baiting and falsely describing Harris’ identity.
“We will go out there and tell people the truth and get rid of the disinformation about Kamala Harris … and spread the word and talk about policies that impact the Black community – Black health care, abortion rights and all that,” Brown said.
Black delegates in Chicago said Harris’ appeal isn’t just based on the historic nature of her candidacy.
Trump tilted the Supreme Court sharply to the right with three appointments in four years, which has had implications for abortion rights and voting rights, among other issues. The shift has left Democrats keenly aware that presidents can shape the courts for years after they’re out of office, and party activists said they are counting on Harris to continue President Joe Biden’s record of nominating diverse judges at all levels of the judicial branch.
And, said Limbs, “The top of every Black voter list is the economy. We want her to continue the successful policies of the Biden administration that has seen low unemployment. We want her to continue to strengthen health care, which is important to the African American community.”
