We’re less than a year out from the next presidential election, and it’s anyone’s guess who will win. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are neck and neck — with many polls showing the former reality star out slightly ahead.
But what would a Trump victory actually mean for the country, and particularly for Black Americans?
The Root sat down with Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, who shared his views on what’s at stake for Black Americans in the upcoming election.
“The stakes are really high,” said Harrison. “This election is probably like none other than we’ve been through in terms of the sheer contrast between the two likely nominees for both parties, Joe Biden and Donald Trump.”
Harrison says he’s proud of what the administration has done for Black Americans. “Specifically, when I look at the things he’s achieved for the Black community, when you look at the number of judges, so far, we hit 160 judges appointed under Biden, and out of that, 160, 50 of them are Black,” he said.
Harrison noted other accomplishments, including student loan forgiveness, investments in historically Black colleges and universities, and the economic recovery after COVID-19.
Harrison acknowledged that things on Biden’s agenda, including his full student loan debt plan, haven’t gotten done, yet. “We could have had even more progress,” said the DNC Chair. “But he needs to get re-elected, and he needs more help in the House and the Senate to get it done.”
The administration will need Black support in order to get re-elected and to win the House and the Senate. But many prominent Black leaders have been highly critical of the administration in recent months, arguing that the White House does not share their values, specifically noting the administration’s support for Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip. A recent Data For Progress poll found that roughly 77 percent of likely Black voters support a ceasefire. Aimee Allison, founder of She The People, an organization mobilizing the electoral power of women of color, told The Root that Gaza “is going to become the most important election issue in 2024.”
Harrison responded to concerns that the White House’s position could lose Biden critical Black voters by saying that he is “very proud” of Biden’s leadership on this issue. “The President isn’t looking at polls. What he’s trying to do is just be a good leader, and to lead the country and to be a partner to really get an end to this tragic, tragic situation,” he said.
The economy was another issue that Harrison addressed. Black unemployment is significantly down since Biden took office, and inflation has begun to fall, but prices remain high. “One of the things we have to do is not only get the President re-elected, but we have to take back the House,” said Harrison. “There’s a lot that the President has on his agenda to continue to make it easier for working people in this country and specifically Black folks.”