Community
Notable Black Politicians That Made History On Tuesday’s Election
This past Tuesday was a great day for the many black politicians in America. A large number of them were victorious in state and local races across the nation. These politicians range from mayors to a lieutenant governor to council members. Even more impressing, a number of them also made history for being the first black person (or one of the very few) elected for their position.
Here is the list of the black politicians that were victorious this past Tuesday.
Justin Fairfax, Lieutenant Governor-elect of Virginia
The DNC spent a lot of money and effort courting the black vote in Virginia. It paid off! Eighty seven percent of African-Americans in Virginia voted for Ralph Northam, getting his number two on the ticket elected as lieutenant governor. Fairfax is only the 2nd black politician to be elected to a state-wide office.
Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor-elect of New Jersey
This former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly made history as the New Jersey’s first Black lieutenant governor-elect.
RELATED: Will Recent Racial Tensions Reengage Black Voter Turnout?
Vi Lyles, Mayor-elect of Charlotte, NC
Charlotte elected its first black female mayor this past Tuesday. Vi Lyles formerly served as assistant city manager in Charlotte.
Andrea Jenkins, City Council Member elect in Minneapolis
In a historic win, Andrea Jenkins became the first openly transgender black woman elected to a public office in America.
Wilmot Collins, Mayor-elect of Helena, Montana
This Liberian-born immigrant became the first black mayor-elect in Montana in modern history. Collins immigrated to the U.S. 23 years ago and worked in the state’s Department of Health and Human Services and specialized in child protection.
There were even more African American politicians elected to various positions. If this trend continues, we should see more diversity to the election process in the highly important mid-term elections coming up next year.