Quotable quotes on the Black Vote '98

Southern Political Report notes: "nationwide, African Americans counted for 11 percent of those who voted, up from 9 percent in 1994. African Americans comprise 25 percent of registered voters in Georgia, but accounted for 29 percent of those voting in the November election. Two African Americans-both democrats-were elected state-wide, Thurbert Baker for Attorney General and Mike Thurmond for Labor Commissioner. In North Carolina, the black share of the vote rose from 15 percent in '96 to 17 percent this year. In Texas, Governor George E. Bush (R) won 40 percent of the Hispanic vote and 30 percent of the black vote. In Florida, Jeb Bush (R) got only 9 percent of the black vote-an improvement over 6 percent in 1994. In Alabama, defeated Governor Fob James (R) got only 5 percent of the Black vote."

Moreover, in South Carolina the black vote was 17 percent of the vote in 1994 and 25 percent this year. The Black vote was a key factor in the defeat of the incumbent Republican Governor David Beasley by Democratic Cong. Jim Hodges. Fritz Hollings (D. SC.) was reelected with 92 percent of the black vote and only 40 percent of the white.

The black voter turnout on November 3 is a reflection of excellent work by the NAACP staff, Branches and State Conferences in the South and elsewhere.

Julian Bond

Chairman, NAACP

Copyright Crisis Publishing Company, Incorporated Nov 1998
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