‘Stopping the Insurrectionists And Election Deniers’ Poses Biggest Issue in Midterm Election

With early voting underway in many states, African Americans are being called on to participate in the midterm election for what political analysts believe could turn out to be a powerful stabilizing influence as the nation remains divided over the 2020 election results.

Sekou Franklin, an author and political science professor at Middle Tennessee State, cites election deniers as a major issue this election.

“The number one concern is stopping the Jan. 6 insurrectionists and election deniers from getting into office,” he said. “It is not inflation or gas prices … It is stopping the insurrectionists and election deniers. Their intent is to obstruct legislation, advance conspiracies, and to use their long reach to intimidate election officials. They will obstruct any attempt to secure voting rights. Also, the election deniers and insurrectionists are linked to white supremacist groups. There is a racial dimension and anti-Black animus linked to their movement.”

Franklin and other politicos say Democrats need to explain what it is stake.

He emphasizes, “Election deniers are gaining momentum, but they are doing so by linking their campaigns to bread and butter issues such as inflation and gas prices. [Democrats] have to paint a stark choice between people who want to destroy democracy and those who want to save it.”

Civil rights organizations are urging Black voters to turn out in record numbers. And voting rights advocates are urging voters to have a plan and report voter suppression efforts.

Franklin sees the Senate as the legislative chamber where African Americans can have a significant national impact.

“In those competitive Senate races such as in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio, Blacks may be the swing vote to determine the election outcome,” he states. “A huge turnout by Black voters can determine the direction of the Senate and prevent election deniers and insurrectionists from taking control. Further, the gubernatorial races in Georgia and Pennsylvania, for example, may determine the electioneering apparatus that will be in place for the 2024 election. It is also important to mention that Black women candidates are running competitive races for the Senate in Florida with Val Demings and North Carolina with Cheri Beasley. They are going to need a huge turnout, particularly among base voters such as Blacks, if they have any chance of winning.”