To help you be informed and prepared when you go to cast your vote tomorrow, Black Enterprise will highlight important races with African American candidates across the country. We tell you where the candidates stand, why the race matters, who their opponent is, what the key issues are and their chances of winning.
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Candidate: Rep. Kendrick Meek
Opponents: Republican-turned-Independent Gov. Charlie Crist; Former Republican House Marco Rubio
Key issues: Florida’s education system, Wall Street reform, and protecting the middle class
Why the race matters: If successful, Meek–who is giving up a safe House seat, which he took over when his mother retired in 2004 for this bid–could become one of two black senators elected to the upper chamber this year.
Constituency: The state’s voting population is majority white, with almost equal proportion of Hispanics and blacks. In the 2008 election, each demographic had high turnout, at 63.6%, 54.5% and 67.9%, respectively.
Financing : Meek reported net receipts of $7,597,314 as of 10/13/10. During that same period, Crist reported $13,385,804 in net receipts, and Rubio reported $18,251,722.
Political support: President Barack Obama; Bill Clinton; members of Florida’s congressional delegation and the Hispanic Congressional Caucus; the Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post, and other newspapers; and several unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Florida Service Employees International Union, and the Florida AFL-CIO
Chances of winning: It’s all downhill for Meek. Crist is dividing the Democratic vote and conservative enthusiasm at an all-time high; Rubio is favored to win.
Candidate:
Opponent: Charlie Baker
Why the race matters: Patrick, who has served just one term, is the nation’s only black governor. It has reportedly taken four years for him to find his groove, and his state’s economy is in less dire shape than many others’ across the nation.
Key issues: Jobs, energy and the environment, education, and healthcare
Constituency: Massachusetts is largely urban and has a majority white voting population
Financing: Patrick’s third-quarter fundraising total was $1,100,000; his opponent raised $452,000
Political support: President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton have each stumped for Patrick; Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and eight other local mayors, the AFL-CIO of Massachusetts, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, Massachusetts National Organization for Women, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter. The Boston Globe also endorses him.
Chances of winning: Patrick has a slight lead over his opponent and the outcome may well depend on turnout.
Candidate: Allen West
Opponent(s): Incumbent Democratic Rep. Ron Klein
Why the race matters: Every seat that the Democrats win or lose counts if they are to maintain the majority, but a strong Republican turnout could give this black conservative a win.
Key issues: Jobs, economy, energy independence, illegal immigration
Constituency: Florida’s 22nd Congressional District is urban with a majority white voting population. It was at the center of the disputed vote count during the 2000 presidential bid between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
Financing: West reported net receipts of $5,588,176 as of 10/13/10; Klein reported $3,414,725 for that same period.
Political support: Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and House Minority Leader John Boehner
Chances of winning: Recent polls show that West has a very narrow lead over Klein. But given the margin of error, at this point anything could happen.
See more on reasons the midterm elections should matter to African Americans here.
The Midterm Elections: Candidate Tim Scott
The Midterm Elections: Candidate Terri A. Sewell
The Midterm Elections: Candidate Hansen Clarke