Recent Races Between African American Incumbents and Young Black Challengers Underscore Findings of Joint Center Report

6/6/2002

From: Liselle Yorke of The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, 202-789-6366, lyorke@jointcenter.org

WASHINGTON, June 6 -- For the second time in as many months, a young black political aspirant has mounted a strong challenge to a black incumbent's previously "safe seat." Rep. Earl Hilliard (D-Ala.) faces a June 25 runoff against challenger Artur Davis after Tuesday's primary, while Cory Booker's storied run against Sharpe James was the most contested Newark mayoral race in many years.

Davis and Booker are the latest in a growing number of younger African Americans who are coming to the fore on the political stage, often with different views and attitudes than their older counterparts. These generational differences among black elected officials have been highlighted in the Joint Center's report, Changing of the Guard: Generational Differences Among Black Elected Officials.

An analysis of the most recent national attitudinal survey of black elected officials (BEOs), Changing of the Guard shows that the views of younger BEOs are shaped by different experiences than their older counterparts. Many of them were born after the civil rights movement and less than half of the younger BEOs surveyed were members of civil rights organizations. In addition, they were less likely to have attended historically black colleges or segregated high schools. In the poll, younger BEOs also expressed greater dissatisfaction with their local public schools, were more supportive of school vouchers, and tended to be more pro-business. This was reflected in Newark where Booker ran on a pro-voucher platform in his unsuccessful bid, and in Alabama where economic development is a key issue for Davis.

--- Contact Liselle Yorke at 202-789-6366 or lyorke@jointcenter.org to schedule interviews with author David Bositis or to receive a copy of the report.

------ The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, conducts research and analyses on public policy issues of concern to African Americans and other minorities, promotes their involvement in the governance process, and operates programs that create coalitions within the minority, business, and other diverse communities. For more information, visit http://www.jointcenter.org.