Black turnout in primaries might make Democrats think twice about swing voter strategy
In the South Carolina primary, Biden enjoyed a 29-point victory over Sanders. This was due in large part to 61% of South Carolina’s black voters swinging behind Biden – a weight of support no doubt helped by an endorsement by the state’s influential black U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn. In fact, black voters cast nearly 60% of all votes in that contest.
This support carried through into Super Tuesday. In Alabama, 72% of black voters supported Biden, representing nearly half of Democrats posting a ballot in that state.
Overall, Biden received a median of 58% of the black vote across the 14 Super Tuesday state primaries, compared to just 35% of the median white vote. Biden needs black voters so much, he has hinted at selecting a black running mate – possibly Sen. Kamala Harris or 2018 Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.https://archive.is/D9oTHThis direct courting and mobilization of the black vote stands in contrast to an “expansion election” strategy touted by some Biden supporters.