50 Black Mayors Throw Support Behind Hillary Clinton

Joe Biden’s yet-to-be-decided bid for the White House may be over before it starts.

Hillary Clinton has secured a major endorsement from a wide-ranging group of prominent politicians that could help her solidify the all-important Black vote in the 2016 presidential election: Fifty current and former African American mayors have rallied to offer Clinton their enthusiastic support.

Representing states from California to Florida, more than 50 current and former African American mayors will be key advocates in their communities for Clinton’s agenda and will help build grassroots support that will enable her to win their state’s respective primaries and caucuses.

The endorsements of so many Black mayors cannot be underestimated in an upcoming presidential election where the Black vote could make or break a candidate’s aspirations for the White House.

It’s also a shrewd move by Clinton to lock-in pledges from Black mayors across the nation 14 months before the election.

The endorsements also put tremendous pressure on Biden to shore up African American support should he decide to enter the presidential race. With every passing day, it becomes more difficult for Biden to raise money, set up offices in key battleground states like Ohio, and solidify support from African American leaders. Democrats are asking Biden to make his decision soon.

“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of more than 50 African-American mayors across the country,” Clinton said in a statement Tuesday. “Mayors are on the front lines of many of our country’s toughest battles. They’re fighting to create jobs, rebuild our infrastructure, stop gun violence, and eliminate the inequities that tear communities apart. From the biggest cities to the smallest towns, what happens at the local level often leads to national change. And I’m proud to stand with them today, because mayors are critical to growing our economy and strengthening our country, one community at a time.”

Some of the mayors who have endorsed Clinton include, Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, PA.; Mayor Michael Butler of Orangeburg, SC; Mayor Johnny Ford of Tuskegee, AL; Mayor Brad Sellers of Warrensville Heights, OH; Andrew Young, former Mayor of Atlanta, GA; and Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta, GA.

“Hillary Clinton is clearly by far the most qualified person running to be the next president of the United States,” Mayor Nutter said in a statement. “Her record of service in Arkansas, Washington, DC, New York and on behalf of the nation is clear and distinguished, her commitment to children and families is outstanding, her relationship with Mayors and other elected officials is one based on trust and keeping her word and her focus on leading America into a future of prosperity and helping people to change their lives is bold and strong. I support Hillary Clinton because she’s an effective leader for America.”

According to a Clinton senior campaign aide, Tuesday’s announcement comes as the campaign is ramping up its “African Americans for Hillary” launch next week. The African Americans for Hillary launch will highlight issues important to the African American community including a criminal justice platform, and help strengthen Hillary’s support in the community in Southern states with African American populations.

Over the last month, the aide said, Clinton has engaged and met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus during their annual conference; traveled to a number of states with March primaries (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio) that have large African American populations; had a conference call with African American mayors to highlight her commitment to their priorities and values; met with members from the Black Lives Matter movement, participated in a number of interviews, including the Tom Joyner and Al Sharpton syndicated radio shows, where she discussed criminal justice reform, among many other topics important to the community.

“Hillary Clinton has a heart for service and has spent her entire career working to expand opportunities for all Americans,” said Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta, GA. “As a champion for women’s rights, thoughtful diplomacy, criminal justice reform, commonsense immigration policies and a clean energy economy, she has proven that she is the most capable candidate to lead our country. The City of Atlanta needs a partner like Hillary Clinton in the White House to continue supporting investments in infrastructure, transportation solutions, and expanding economic opportunities for working families. I wholeheartedly endorse her candidacy for President.”

Meanwhile, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, Clinton has widened her lead over her Democratic opponents.

“The group that showed the highest level of support for Mr. Biden running were non-white Democrats, with 44% saying they wanted him in the race,” the Journal reported. “Minority voters also strongly support Mrs. Clinton. In the ballot test, 50% of non-white voters said Mrs. Clinton was their first choice; 25% chose Mr. Biden.”

With so many African American mayors now standing with Clinton – mayors who will work hard to make sure their Black constituents vote for her – it’s hard to imagine how any other Democratic candidates can play catch-up to win-over enough Black voters to take the White House.

What do you think?

Below is the list of African American Mayors who support Clinton: