The Democratic National Convention is over, and now Vice President Kamala Harris’ name is as ubiquitous as bricks in the projects. You’d think that’s the only political news anyone is covering. But then, as now, the old saying that “all politics is local” applies.
With 34 million eligible Black voters in 2024, it’s not only important who is voting, but also where they’re voting. This means there are local elections that could make a difference to you in ways you may not anticipate yet. They could be game changers and introduce new players into national politics, just as they did with Harris and Barack Obama years ago.
They can also galvanize the Black vote in ways that will have repercussions for decades. These five cities are holding mayoral elections that will carry weight in big and small ways that have national impact in the larger Black political scheme of things.
San Francisco
Mayor London Breed is dealing with an embattled homelessness and drug issue in her town and faces challenger Mark Farrell, former acting mayor and former city supervisor, along with several other well-funded candidates. This is Kamala Harris’ backyard, and critics point to the problems in this city when they challenge her.
Now Breed has to prove that she can turn the city around before her record is used to politically attack Harris. But a win for her will mean two major California cities Los Angeles and San Francisco will remain under Black mayoral control.
Baltimore
Incumbent Brandon Scott fended off a primary challenge from former mayor Sheila Dixon earlier this year to win the Democratic primary locking down control of the November vote in the stronghold city for the party. But challenges including crime, unemployment and the extreme economic impact of the deadly Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge collapse in March still linger. Scott and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will have to be instrumental in finding solutions…
Baton Rouge
An important election because of voting rights issues in Louisiana. Incumbent Sharon Weston Broome and challenger Ted James, both Democrats, are running for Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish in which the city serves as parish seat. The winner will serve as the city’s leader. The parish is the most populous in Louisiana and it is in the middle of a long battle over redistricting that affects majority Black voting districts. The winner of the race will likely have a critical hand in what happens going forward.
Richmond, Va.
The city could be left without an African American in its top leadership position if neither of the two Black candidates of the five running for office — Michelle Mosby or Maurice Nesbitt — don’t win. Virginia is positioned to play a major role in the presidential election because of the potential of its Black electorate. That term-limited Mayor Levar Stoney is running for lieutenant governor has been influential, but this could change. With Black mayoral leadership, Richmond — along with Norfolk and Virginia Beach, both also holding elections — can remain a reliable entry point for the Black vote.
Tulsa, Okla.
Tulsa is crucial to Black history, with the story of the deadly racist domestic terrorism of May 1921. But two-term incumbent G.T. Bynum has opted not to seek re-election leaving the nonpartisan race open to a number of candidates. Tulsa has become a major growth city. It increased in population to about 414,000 in 2023, and the metro area increased to 1,044,800, according to city records. It was also seen as the best performing area in Oklahoma.
All this means it could be a growth city under Black control. But the Aug. 27 vote is coming fast and State Rep. Monroe Nichols wants to remain the standout candidate.
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Madison J. Gray is a New York-based journalist. He blogs at www.starkravingmadison.com
