Kyler Alvord
Updated on: October 12, 2024 9:31 pm GMT
As the presidential election approaches, enthusiasm among Black voters in Milwaukee is sparking renewed interest in the youth-led campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris. Many voters express excitement about her candidacy, but questions remain about whether they will head to the polls in the same numbers as they did for former President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.
Canvassing for Kamala
In the heart of Milwaukee’s Brewers Hill neighborhood, canvasser Jermel Hill is actively engaging residents in discussions about voting. Hill, who works with the organization Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC), has noticed a shift in sentiment among potential voters since President Joe Biden’s exit from the race. “As soon as you mention anything about voting, they’re going to say, ‘Kamala Harris? Sure, you ain’t even have to come and knock on my door for that,’” he shared.
Angela Lang, Executive Director of BLOC, commented on the renewed energy seen since Harris secured the Democratic nomination. “Anecdotally, I’ve had so many people come up to me and say, ‘Angela, I haven’t felt this way since Obama’s first presidency in 2008.’ There is a little bit of excitement and more of a fire in the air,” Lang said.
Black Voter Turnout and Historical Context
Black voter turnout in Milwaukee has historically been robust during presidential elections, particularly in 2008 and 2012 when Obama ran. However, according to research from Marquette University, turnout has been declining in recent elections. With Wisconsin once again positioned as a pivotal swing state, community leaders are focusing on mobilizing Black voters.
Key statistics from the U.S. Census highlight the significance of the Black vote in Wisconsin:
- Only 6% of Wisconsin’s total population is Black.
- In Milwaukee, nearly 39% of the population is Black, totaling around 223,000 individuals.
- Recent elections in Wisconsin have been decided by as few as 20,000 votes.
Despite a history of strong support for Democratic candidates, experts suggest that Harris must inspire turnout similar to what Obama achieved for a victory in Wisconsin. “If we don’t get to numbers where Barack Obama was in 2008 and 2012, it is plausible that Kamala Harris could lose,” noted Alvin Tillery, a Democratic political operative.
The Shift in Voter Sentiment
Before Biden’s departure, a Pew Research Center survey indicated that 64% of Black voters nationwide supported him. However, this figure increased to 77% following Harris’s candidacy launch, reflecting a potential positive trend for Democrats. “It does feel like a lot of the excitement from 2008 and 2012 is back with Harris at the top of the ticket,” observed Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Community Leaders Weigh In
Vaun Mayes, a Milwaukee community activist, stated that Biden’s exit shifted the conversation about candidates. “It gets people talking more about the actual politics and the stuff the candidates have to offer,” Mayes said. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson echoed this sentiment, noting a “new energy” among voters since Harris entered the race. “When I go out and talk to people, folks are energized,” he said.
Johnson highlighted that this election presents a unique opportunity for Black voters in Milwaukee to influence the outcome. He emphasized the significance of issues such as college debt relief and health care policies that stem from the Biden-Harris administration, which have made a local impact.
Challenges Ahead for Democrats
While enthusiasm for Harris is palpable, experts caution that this may not be enough to counteract long-term trends. Tillery warns that historical disaffection from the Democratic party may prevent some Black voters from participating. “I fear that some Black voters will simply stay home,” he said.
Antonio Perkins, a barber at Gee’s Clippers in downtown Milwaukee, illustrates this growing discontent. Although he voted for Biden in 2020, Perkins is now refusing to vote, citing dissatisfaction with both major political parties. “I don’t believe either party has done enough to get my vote,” he remarked.
Key points Perkins made regarding voter disillusionment include:
- An emphasis on issues such as affordable housing, health care, and the economy.
- A lack of trust in both parties to effect real change.
- A focus on local elections rather than national politics.
“Many of the people I speak to in my chair don’t feel like their vote matters,” he added.
The Path Forward
The response from Black voters in Milwaukee will be critical in determining the success of Harris’s campaign and the Democrats’ overall strategy. While renewed energy is palpable, ongoing engagement with the community and addressing pressing concerns will be pivotal in energizing voters leading up to November.
As the election nears, leaders like Mayor Johnson and organizations like BLOC work tirelessly to increase voter turnout. Their hope is to harness the excitement surrounding Harris’s candidacy to galvanize the Black electorate.
With the stakes higher than ever, will Black voters in Milwaukee rally for Harris to recreate the momentum seen during Obama’s historic runs? Or will voices like Perkins’s prevail, leaving some potential voters feeling unheard and unrepresented?
As the campaign goes on, this question is important for figuring out what’s happening in Milwaukee and how it affects the bigger picture of the 2024 presidential race.
