Strong voter turnout among African Americans helped Democrats pick
up five U.S. House of Representatives seats and avoid any net losses in
the Senate in the November 3 election.
Although they usually account for about 5 percent of voters in
mid-term elections, African Americans may have represented 10 percent
or more of all voters this year, experts say. Most also voted
Democratic, helping to prevent Republicans from making widely expected
gains.
“It appears there is enthusiasm and hope in the African American
community that we haven’t seen before,” said Rep. Maxine Waters
(D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). “I’m very
pleased that we increased turnout of African Americans, and it made a
significant difference.”
By focusing on investigations and impeachment votes, the Republican
House may have angered many voters, including African Americans, she
said.
“It helped to spur the Black vote,” Waters noted.
African Americans reserve the right to disagree with President Bill
Clinton or question his judgment, she said, but most also found fault
with the partisan attacks of independent counsel Kenneth Starr.
“We recognize unfairness when we see it,” Waters said. “It’s so central to our struggle.”
