As Democrats Rise in the Polls, Black Voters Ask What’s in It for Them

The midterm political winds may be shifting toward the Democratic Party, according to a new wave of polling. But for Black voters, the bigger question isn’t who is ahead in the polls. It’s what both parties are prepared to do to earn their support and what they are willing to deliver once the votes are counted.

According to New York Magazine’s Intelligencer, Democrats are seeing a significant surge in the general congressional ballot, with recent polling showing their lead widening as voters express concerns about the country’s direction and the economy. The latest numbers suggest a shifting political landscape heading into the midterm elections.

On Sept. 1, Democrats led the generic congressional ballot by 5.7 points, according to the RealClearPolitics (RCP) average. That margin has since grown to 8.7 points. RCP says it is the largest advantage either party has held at this stage of a midterm cycle since 2010, exceeding the 8.3-point Democratic lead recorded in 2018. Democrats gained 41 House seats that year. They now need a net gain of three seats to regain control of the chamber.

Although the votes haven’t been counted, the polling suggests that Republicans have something to answer for, and Democrats have something to prove.

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For Democrats, this is familiar territory. Black voters have long been one of the party’s most important constituencies, particularly in presidential elections. But strong support cannot simply be assumed, as we previously reported. Many Black voters are calling on the party to make a case for their support based on more than just campaign slogans, familiar faces and warnings about Republicans. They are demanding specific answers on voting access, affordable housing, health-care disparities, education, criminal justice and the growing racial wealth gap.

But Republicans face their own challenge. The GOP has been working to expand its appeal among Black voters, particularly working-class and younger voters, as The Root also reported. For many Black voters, that effort has led them to question what Republican policies would actually mean for their families and communities and how those promises align with the party’s record.

Congress controls enormous amounts of money and has a major role in setting federal priorities. Those decisions reach into neighborhoods through funding for schools, health programs, housing, transportation, small businesses and community development. Congressional oversight also influences how federal laws are implemented.

Polls can tell us where voters appear to be today. They cannot tell us what politicians will actually deliver tomorrow, let alone in 45 days until the November elections.

The opportunity for Black voters is to make both parties earn their support. Look beyond the polling numbers. Examine the records. Read the proposals. Ask who benefits, who pays and what is actually being promised.

So while political parties may be watching the polls, Black Americans have their eyes on the politicians.