Featured

Donalds Criticizes Republican Reluctance to Court Black Voters

Share

As Black History Month ends next week, The Hill hosts the Race and Justice Imperative. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is featured as a speaker for the event, discussing Republican outreach to Black voters and their approach to the intersection of race and justice.

Host Cheyanne McDaniels opened on the importance of Rep. Donalds' and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries' (D-NY) historic nomination for Speaker of the House in January.

"Being able to be part of that was profound," said Rep. Donalds, adding it was "a little surreal at first." Nonetheless, he appreciated what the experience meant and reflected on the moment with Rep. Jeffries afterward, especially as "two Black men from Brooklyn."

"It was special, and I think it should never be discounted, or just overlooked," added Donalds.

Despite a brief signal disruption, Donalds and McDaniels are able to discuss Republican outreach to Black voters.

"This is where I'm critical of Republicans," stated Donalds, adding that "the Republican Party, historically, really hasn't done much of anything to try to court Black voters."

More specifically, while Republicans may speak about their platforms, "they don't take the time to go into communities and say, 'hey, let's build a relationship.'"

However, Donalds does note that this is changing for the better.

"The Democrat Party has consistently sought Black votes for a very long time, the Republican Party hasn't done that work. That's something that's changing, and something I advocate for every single day, and that's going to continue to evolve if I have anything to say about it," said Donalds.

Moving on to racial justice, Donalds reiterates that Republicans want to support law enforcement to provide safe communities, yet justice is meted out equally.

"That's where House Republicans are, that's where Republicans are in general, and we're committed to that work," he summates.

At the same time, Donalds notes that police reform is primarily at the state and local level, not the Federal.

"It's important for everybody to understand that if you want to have that direct action, it starts at the local level primarily," concludes Donalds.

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.

Recent Posts

Luna Says Democrats 'Don't Care About Illegals,' Says Rhetoric is 'Propaganda for Midterms'

Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) did not mince words in dismissing Democratic rhetoric about illegal…

17 hours ago

Last Squeeze🍊—7.11.2025—Alligator Alcatraz—Miami-Dade—'Defund the Police'—Much More...

Florida Lawmakers Sue DeSantis in State Supreme Court to get Alligator Alcatraz Entry Five Florida…

17 hours ago

Steube Says Democrats' 'Defund the Police' is Now 'Attack the Police'

Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) commented on the recent anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attacks during…

18 hours ago

Cammack Demands Fast-Tracking of Livestock Treatment Approvals Amidst Screwworm Infestation

Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) spearheaded a recent letter to the Department of Health and Human…

18 hours ago

NAACP Miami-Dade Blasts City of Miami for Canceling 2025 Elections: 'A Clear Violation of the Charter and Democracy'

Miami, FL —The Miami-Dade branch of the NAACP has issued a forceful statement condemning the…

2 days ago

Florida Lawmakers Sue DeSantis in State Supreme Court to get Alligator Alcatraz Entry

MIAMI—Five Florida lawmakers are suing in the state Supreme Court to force Gov. Ron DeSantis…

2 days ago