Black History

Running to Represent: Black Dem and GOP Candidates Vying for Cal Legislature Seats

Although African Americans are 5.8% of California residents and 7% of the voting-eligible population, Black candidates are on ballots for 10% of the Senate races and 22.5% of the Assembly races.

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2022

Oakland Post

L-R top. Democrat Tecoy Porter, Kamilah Moore (no ballot designation) and Republican Gregory Tatum. L-R bottom: Democrat Corey A Jackson, Democrat Lori D. Wilson and Democrat Maurice Goodman.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media,

Primaries, four positions, California Board of Equalization, 80 seats, State Assembly, 20 State Senate seats, Half of the 40 State Senate seats, subject to election, every two years, 20 even-numbered districts, ballots,

California Black Media (CBM), no Black candidates, Board of Equalization, Malia Cohen, first Black woman elected to the board, passing up a re-election bid, District 2,

18 State Assembly contests, Democrats, Republicans, incumbents,

Although African Americans are 5.8% of California residents and 7% of the voting-eligible population, Black candidates are on ballots for 10% of the Senate races and 22.5% of the Assembly races.

State senators represent an average of 988,455 residents and Assemblymembers represent an average of 494,227 residents. After the redistricting done following the 2020 U.S. Census, African Americans no longer exceed 40% of the population in any district. Three Senate districts and five Assembly districts have African American populations exceeding 20%.

Black candidates running for State Senate are:

Republican Gregory Tatum is a pastor, U.S. Army veteran and avionics technician. He is running to represent Senate District 16 (Bakersfield). State Senator Melissa Hurtado who currently represents District 14 is in this race because redistricting changed her district boundaries. This district is predicted to be a tossup for the two Republican and three Democrats on the ballot.

Four Black Democratic candidates are running to represent Senate District 28 (Los Angeles). Jamaal A. Gulledge is a public servant. Kamilah Victoria Moore, chair of the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparations proposals for African Americans, has no ballot designation. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas is an educator and community organizer. Cheryl C. Turner is a civil rights lawyer. Five candidates are on the ballot. This is a solid Democratic district.

Black candidates running for State Assembly are:

Democrat Kevin McCarty is an Assemblymember representing District 7 (Sacramento). Due to redistricting, he is running to represent District 6 (Sacramento). He has four opponents. This is a solid Democratic district.

Two Black candidates are competing to represent Assembly District 10 (Elk Grove). Democrat Tecoy Porter is a pastor, educator and nonprofit director. Republican Eric M. Rigard is a retired businessman. Five candidates are on the ballot. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.

Democrat Lori D. Wilson is listed on the ballot as a Democratic mayor and finance director running to represent Assembly District 11 (Vallejo). Recently, she won a special election to represent District 11, making her the incumbent. She has one opponent. This is a solid Democratic district.

Democrat Ida Times-Green is a school board trustee. She is board president of the Sausalito-Marin City School District and is running to represent Assembly District 12 (Marin). She has three Democratic rivals. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.

Democrat Mia Bonta is the Assemblymember representing District 18 (Oakland). She is running for re-election unopposed. This is a solid Democratic district.

Democrat Jennifer Esteen is a psychiatric registered nurse. She is on the ballot to represent Assembly District (20) Alameda. Her opponents are two Democrats and a Republican. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.

Democrat Maurice Goodman is a San Mateo County Community College District trustee. He is running to represent Assembly District 21 (San Mateo). He is running against five Democrats and a Republican. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.

Democrat Jon Wizard is a councilmember and housing policymaker. He is running to represent Assembly District 30 (San Luis Obispo). He is running against three Democrats and a Republican. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.

Democrat Marlon G. Ware is a university professor and director. He is also a retired U.S. Marine officer. He is running to represent Assembly District 36 (Imperial). He has two opponents. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D) currently representing the 56th Assembly District is on the ballot for this seat due to redistricting. This is a solid Democratic district.

Democrat Chris Holden is an Assemblymember representing District 41 (Pasadena). He is running for re-election unopposed. This is a solid Democratic district.

Democrat Jamie Swain is a truck driver and businesswoman. She is running to represent District 47 (Palm Springs). Her opponents are two Republicans and a Democrat. There is no incumbent on the ballot. This race is judged to be a tossup between the Republicans and Democrats.

Democrat Isaac G. Bryan is the Assemblymember representing District 55 (Los Angeles). He is the incumbent and has one opponent, a Republican. This is a solid Democratic district.

Democrat Reggie Jones-Sawyer is the Assemblymember representing District 57 (Los Angeles). He is running for re-election unopposed. This is a solid Democratic district.

Democrat Corey A Jackson is a Riverside County Board of Education member. He is running to represent Assembly District 60 (Moreno Valley). He has three opponents. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.

Three Black candidates are running to represent Assembly District 61 (Inglewood). Democrat Tina Simone McKinnor is non-profit director and businesswoman. Democrat Robert Pullen-Miles is mayor of the City of Lawndale. Republican James Arlandus Spencer is an Environmental Consultant. Five candidates are on the ballot. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.

Democrat Mike Anthony Gipson is the Assemblymember for District 65 (Compton). He is running for re-election against one opponent. This is a solid Democratic district

Two Black candidates are on the ballot to represent Assembly District 69 (Long Beach). Democrat Al Austin II is a Long Beach councilmember. Democrat Janet Denise Foster is a healthcare administrator. Four Democratic candidates are running for the seat. This is a solid Democratic district. No incumbent is on the ballot.

Democrat Akilah Weber is an assemblymember and doctor. She represents Assembly District 79 (La Mesa) and is running for re-election against two Republican opponents. This is a solid Democratic district.

In each contest for Senate and Assembly seats the two candidates receiving the most votes in the June 7 primary will move on to the Nov. 8 general election.

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Black History

Matthew Henson: Explorer Extraordinaire

Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.

Published

1 week ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Matthew Henson (File Photo)

By Tamara Shiloh

Henson’s life began amidst the backdrop of post-Civil War America, where opportunities for African Americans were scarce. From a young age, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond his small town. At the age of 12, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of his life forever when he joined a merchant ship as a cabin boy.

His most famous expedition was his journey to the Arctic with renowned explorer Robert E. Peary. In 1887, Henson joined Peary’s crew as a seaman and quickly proved himself to be invaluable with his skills as a navigator and craftsman. Over the course of several expeditions, Matthew endured extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and grueling conditions as he and Peary sought to reach the elusive North Pole.

In 1908–09, Peary set out on his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. It was a big expedition, with Peary planning to leave supplies along the way. When he and Henson boarded their ship, the Roosevelt, leaving Greenland on August 18, 1909, they were joined by a large group. This included 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, 246 dogs, 70 tons of whale meat, blubber from 50 walruses, hunting gear, and tons of coal.

In February, Henson and Peary left their anchored ship at Ellesmere Island’s Cape Sheridan, along with the Inuit men and 130 dogs. They worked together to set up a trail and supplies along the way to the Pole.

Peary picked Henson and four Inuit people to join him in the final push to the Pole. However, before they reached their destination, Peary couldn’t walk anymore and had to ride in a dog sled. He sent Henson ahead to scout the way. In a later interview with a newspaper, Henson recalled being in the lead and realizing they had gone too far. The group turned back, and Henson noticed his footprints helped guide them to their destination. At that location, Henson planted the American flag.

Henson’s legacy extends far beyond his expeditions to the Arctic. He shattered racial barriers in the world of exploration and inspired countless individuals, regardless of race, to dream big and pursue their passions. In 1937, he was finally recognized for his achievements when he was inducted into The Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research.

Matthew Henson died in the Bronx, New York, on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88.