A Study in African American Candidates for High-Profile Statewide Office

Frederick, Kristofer A.; Jeffries, Judson L.

doi:10.1177/0021934707299641

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…White voters are less likely to vote for black candidates, especially for offices they perceive as powerful (Williams 1990). Many African American candidates often find it difficult to appeal to traditional ethnic and liberal voters without alienating the large bloc of voters necessary to win a statewide race (Frederick and Jeffries 2009).…”

Section: Minority Representation In Politicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and Power: Selection Method and Its Impacts on State Executive Descriptive Representation

Rhinehart

Geras

2019

State Politics & Policy Quarterly

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This article explores diversity within top leadership positions in state governments, specifically, the role that position selection method plays in promoting the inclusion of racial and ethnic minorities into positions of power. We hypothesize that minorities will be more likely to serve in appointed positions as governors consider diversity in making appointments and less likely to serve in elected positions due to the additional hurdles for candidates of color. Using an original data set of state executive leaders from 2001 to 2017 from all 50 states, we find evidence that institutional design influences levels of diversity among state executive leaders. Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to be appointed than elected to state executive leadership positions. In addition, we find that Democratic governors are more likely than Republican governors to appoint minorities. Ultimately, this evidence is important for understanding how institutional design can have consequences for descriptive representation, specifically for groups that have been historically excluded from political life.

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Section: Minority Representation In Politicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and Power: Selection Method and Its Impacts on State Executive Descriptive Representation

Rhinehart

Geras

2019

State Politics & Policy Quarterly

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“…Black American women have made substantial achievements running for state legislatures and winning, even though they still lack descriptive representation (proportional representation) (Brown and Banks 2014;Dittmar 2015;Frederick and Jeffries 2009;Orey and Brown 2014;Smooth 2001Smooth , 2006Smooth , 2014Williams 2001; BWomen of Color in Elective Office 2015^2015). However, that success has not resulted in election to the office of governor (never) and the U.S. Senate (only two Black women).…”

Section: First Occupy Public Office Within the States Of The Unionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead, they remain substantially under-represented compared to their proportion of the population^(p.326). Frederick and Jeffries (2009) also note that Black Americans have managed to win B… hundreds and thousands of assembly and city council seats throughout the country.^According to the authors, when it comes to Blacks who are B…elected to high-profile statewide Office ([such as] the offices of governor and U.S. Senate), however, is dismal^(p.689). Let us attempt to present various types of available data of Black elected officials including state legislatures, city councils, mayors, school superintendents, and school boards.…”

Section: First Occupy Public Office Within the States Of The Unionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Educational Attainment, Citizenship, and Black American Women in Elected and Appointed National Leadership Positions

Kaba

2017

The Review of Black Political Economy

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This article examines the issue of American citizenship and how it is related to Black Americans, especially from the perspectives of educational attainment and national political leadership positions (focusing on the U.S. Senate, office of governor, and the U.S. Supreme Court). The article presents seven interrelated conceptual or theoretical perspectives of American citizenship (Three Citizenships; Gender; Equality; Race; Belonging; Military Service; and Protestant Christianity), and where Black Americans (especially Black women) fit in them. The article claims that while Black American women have made substantial progress in college degree attainment, they have done so at a very high financial cost. The article claims that compared with other groups in the society, the gains in educational attainment made by Black American women have not resulted in them being elected or selected to these national leadership positions. Among the factors presented for this exclusion of Black women are: lack of strong support from Black American male leaders and institutional support; ambition; first occupy public office within the states of the Union; they must become moderate politicians; perception that Black women have more privileges in the society than Black men and other groups; and negative media portrayal of Black female candidates. The article claims that despite being one of the oldest and most native groups in the United States, with over nine out of every 10 of them being native-born citizens, Black American women in particular tend to have the characteristics of non-citizens.

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“…While the number of Black elected officials has increased dramatically since the 1960s, these gains are more common in local and congressional elections with majority-minority electorates. With a few recent exceptions, including Barack Obama in his Illinois U.S. Senate election, Black candidates find it difficult to win top offices (Frederick & Jeffries, 2009; Jeffries & Jones, 2006). Although, in Illinois, Black candidates have won 10 statewide general election campaigns, two account for the most of these wins.…”

Section: The Conflicting Effects Of Racial Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Contextual Underpinnings of Voting Patterns for Black Statewide Candidates

Lee

Boeckelman

Day

2013

Journal of Black Studies

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African American candidates have usually struggled to win statewide elections, but they often perform relatively well in some localities, while doing badly in others. Drawing on unique time-series cross-section data collected in the State of Illinois, we examine how racial and socioeconomic contexts determine support for black candidates in statewide elections. We show that African American candidates tend to do better in counties that are both racially diverse and highly educated, as well as communities that have witnessed a growing inflow of highly educated residents. Only in communities where a high level of racial diversity interacts with highly educated environment, do residents seem to become more willing to embrace black statewide candidates. Our findings may help shed light on the enduring question of what the future of a diversifying society holds.

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A Study in African American Candidates for High-Profile Statewide Office

Cited by 13 publications

References 7 publications

Diversity and Power: Selection Method and Its Impacts on State Executive Descriptive Representation

Diversity and Power: Selection Method and Its Impacts on State Executive Descriptive Representation

Educational Attainment, Citizenship, and Black American Women in Elected and Appointed National Leadership Positions

The Contextual Underpinnings of Voting Patterns for Black Statewide Candidates

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