The Democrats' Problem Keeping Black Voters Is Only Getting Worse | Opinion

Once upon a time in American politics, the Democratic Party enjoyed the overwhelming support of the Black community. Left-leaning candidates routinely won over 90 percent of the Black vote.

The times, they are a-changing.

African Americans are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the Democratic Party, and this is no longer just something you hear in the barber shop or church pews. It's showing up in the polls—in a significant way.

A recent Washington Post/ABC News poll revealed that while African Americans still support Democrats by clear margins, the percentages have declined significantly. When asked which party they intended to support in the upcoming congressional elections, 79 percent chose Democrats, while 18 percent indicated they would vote for a Republican candidate.

Even more interesting were the responses when African Americans were asked if they would support President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump if the 2024 presidential election were held today. About 70 percent of respondents indicated they would vote for Biden, while fully 23 percent said they would support Trump, who won about 12 percent of Black votes in the 2020 race.

In the two years President Biden has been in office, he managed to double Trump's support with Black voters. That's quite a feat.

The fact of the matter is that the Left is losing its hold on Black and Hispanic voters. The Democratic Party has shown that it is unable or unwilling to address the concerns average Black Americans have. Worse, the Left has been actively alienating what has historically been one of its most cherished voting blocs.

Whether it's on crime or immigration or the economy—top concerns for Black Americans—the Democrats have been falling short, again and again and again. The positions they take—Defund the Police, open the border and welcome in migrants, climate extremism that raises the price of everyday goods—seem to conflict directly with the interests of our community.

This is especially true when it comes to Black men. And when it comes up, those who represent the Democrats take to scolding the people they have left behind. And it only exacerbates the situation. No one wants to be lectured to—especially not by rich pundits and politicians who don't have our best interests at heart. As Dr. Jason Nichols recently put it, Black men feel they are spoken about by Democrats, rather than spoken to.

It would not be surprising to see a wide swath of Black voters change sides in November's midterm elections. Many likely remember doing much better under Biden's predecessor and seek to alleviate the economic woes that have arisen under this president's administration. But an even larger group of African Americans will probably sit this one out without supporting either party.

This presents an immense opportunity for the GOP to finally start making inroads with Black Americans. Indeed, it would be the height of stupidity for the former Party of Lincoln to bypass the prospect of engaging with African Americans at the local, state, and federal levels.

Fortunately, there are some positive signs that the Republican Party is finally waking up to this reality. There are a record number of Black conservatives running for Congress this year, many of whom could win their races. The Republican National Committee is beginning to lay the groundwork for Black outreach.

But there is a caveat: The GOP must not make the mistake of believing that this is a short-term undertaking. It took decades to get to the point where Republicans could barely win 10 percent of the Black vote, and it will take time to re-establish its relationship with Black America.

This will be a marathon, not a sprint.

If the Republicans are willing to make a concerted effort over the long term, they will begin to see the returns they desire.

Jeff Charles is the host of "A Fresh Perspective" podcast and a contributor for RedState and Liberty Nation.

The views in this article are the writer's own.