Georgia could send record five blacks to Congress
10/10/2002 11:50 PM EDT
By Jeffrey McMurray
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Even in his most optimistic view of the future, Rep. John Lewis - who spent much of the 1960s being beaten or jailed as he fought for civil rights - couldn't imagine Georgia sending five blacks to Congress. And three of them come from majority white districts.
Come next January, Lewis likely will be part of the largest black congressional delegation in history, with five blacks favored in November elections for 13 congressional seats. Lewis, Georgia's congressional dean, would be the only black in the state chosen to preside over a district where more than 52 percent of the constituents share his skin color. No state has ever had so many blacks in Congress, let alone so many blacks representing so many whites.
``If someone had told me this years ago, when I was struggling for the right to vote, I would have probably said, 'you're crazy, you're out of your mind,''' Lewis said. ``I thought the day would come when people would participate in all levels of government. But to see a Deep South state - where many of these people couldn't vote a few years ago - voting for many of these candidates didn't even register.''
Along with Lewis and Sanford Bishop, who are unopposed, three black newcomers are seeking congressional seats. David Scott and Charles Walker Jr. are aiming for new districts added because of population increases. Denise Majette knocked off black incumbent Cynthia McKinney in the Democratic primary and is the heavy favorite in the 4th District.
``It speaks well of the progress we've made in Georgia,'' said Majette, whose district is 51 percent black, 46 percent white and about 4 percent Hispanic. ``We have an educated electorate that votes not on the basis of race but on the basis of who are the best candidates to serve.''
The candidates are trumpeting history on the campaign trail, pointing out that voters could be part of something significant. A vote for them is an affirmation that Georgia is shedding racial division, they argue.
``It's an extraordinary testimony to the white citizens of Georgia who will look at me and see I'm worthy, not because I'm a black man, but because I'm qualified, prepared and the best candidate,'' Scott said. ``This is a story of both racial groups - a story of great achievements for black Georgians, but an equally great story for white Georgians.''
Although the situation in Georgia is noteworthy, even historic, political observers say it's predictable. While four of these districts have a majority or near-majority of white residents, the territories are predominantly Democratic, giving the Democratic nominees a huge advantage. Black-majority primaries select those nominees.
``The real arena of decision making is the Democratic primary,'' said Merle Black, a political scientist at Emory University. ``The losers in that process are white Democrats who want to go to Congress. They really face an enormous battle.''
Michael Binford, a political science professor at Georgia State, said it's not surprising a Deep South state like Georgia is the place where three black congressmen could represent majority-white districts. Black lawmakers elsewhere, such as the Northeast or Midwest, are far more likely to represent districts where black constituents are packed in, he said.
A couple exceptions are Julia Carson, a black woman who represents a solidly white district in Indianapolis, and former college football star J.C. Watts, the only black Republican congressman. Watts, whose Oklahoma district has more whites than blacks, isn't seeking re-election this year.
``It's predominantly a Southern phenomenon,'' Binford said. ``If you look at what's been happening over the last 10 years, white voters are getting more accustomed to black candidates, and black incumbents are becoming a little less unusual.''
Georgia's five black candidates have kept in close touch during the campaign season, but they acknowledge there is plenty of diversity among them. Lewis is one of the more liberal members of Congress, while Bishop - Georgia's only current black member representing a majority-white district - is one of the most conservative blacks.
Majette is progressive on many issues. However, a heavy Republican crossover vote helped her defeat McKinney, who was criticized by the GOP and Jewish voters who perceived her as sympathetic to Palestinian causes.
Scott, a state senator, is a moderate backed by many religious conservatives, in part because he sponsored the 1994 Georgia law that forces schools to open the day with 60 seconds of ``silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day.''
Of the five, Walker - son of Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker Sr. - is the only one whose victory seems in question. He is being challenged in eastern Georgia's 12th District by Republican Max Burns, but Walker expects to win, partly because he figures the voters would appreciate the history of it.
``Georgia has had a legacy of being racially polarized, starting from the time of slavery,'' Walker said. ``We're showing Georgia is rapidly transitioning into a major part of the new South, that it's progressive. It's a wonderful display of diversity.''
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation:
http://www.cbcfonline.org/
Georgia Elections Division:
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/
Georgia could send record five blacks to Congress
Linear Mode
