Record Breaking Number Of African Americans Running For Office

A record breaking number of African Americans are running for state and congressional races in November.

In the House elections at least 83 African Americans are running, which political scientist David Bositis, who spent years tracking black politicians, tells The Associated Press is a modern era high.

These record highs also appear in state elections.

At least 25 African Americans are on the ballots on the state level with minority politicians running for various positions including senator, governor or lieutenant governor. AP also sites this as a record number.

"The historic number of black Democrats running for office at all levels this year once again confirms that the Democratic Party is a broad coalition of Americans from diverse ethnic and professional backgrounds, focused on expanding opportunity for all and building ladders to the middle class," Kiara Pesante, Democratic National Committee spokeswoman, tells AP.

There is no specific reason as to why there is a surge in black candidates in the 2014 elections, but some say it's a byproduct of Barack Obama's historic presidency.

In 2012, when President Obama was seeking his second-term, a record-breaking number of 72 black candidates sought House seats, reports AP. In the same year blacks reportedly voted at a higher rate than any other minority group.

Tags
Elections, Ballot, African american, Minority, Record breaking
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