7 to Watch: Rising Political Stars

Make sure you keep your eyes on these top Black rising stars in politics.

Kendrick Meek - After serving four consecutive terms in the House of Representatives – a seat he took over from his retiring mother – Florida Democrat Kendrick Meek, 43, will run for one of the state’s Senate seats next year. Should he win, Meek would become only the fourth Black senator in United States history.

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Kendrick Meek - After serving four consecutive terms in the House of Representatives – a seat he took over from his retiring mother – Florida Democrat Kendrick Meek, 43, will run for one of the state’s Senate seats next year. Should he win, Meek would become only the fourth Black senator in United States history.

Artur Davis - Artur Davis, 41, currently represents Alabama’s 7th congressional district and has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2003. Earlier this year though, Davis announced his plans to run for governor in next year’s election facing Alabama’s Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks for the democratic nomination. If successful in his gubernatorial bid, Davis would be the state’s first Black governor.

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Artur Davis - Artur Davis, 41, currently represents Alabama’s 7th congressional district and has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2003. Earlier this year though, Davis announced his plans to run for governor in next year’s election facing Alabama’s Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks for the democratic nomination. If successful in his gubernatorial bid, Davis would be the state’s first Black governor.

Randal Pinkett - On the fourth season of “The Apprentice,” Randal Pinkett broke ground by being the only Black person hired by Donald Trump in the reality show’s history. More recently Pinkett, who has five degrees, is chair of New Jersey’s State Democratic Committee’s ‘Yes We Can 2.0,’ a group trying to get newly registered voters to vote in this year’s gubernatorial election. Some thought that Pinkett would be chosen as the running mate for Gov. Jon Corzine, but in July Corzine announced another pick.

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Randal Pinkett - On the fourth season of “The Apprentice,” Randal Pinkett broke ground by being the only Black person hired by Donald Trump in the reality show’s history. More recently Pinkett, who has five degrees, is chair of New Jersey’s State Democratic Committee’s ‘Yes We Can 2.0,’ a group trying to get newly registered voters to vote in this year’s gubernatorial election. Some thought that Pinkett would be chosen as the running mate for Gov. Jon Corzine, but in July Corzine announced another pick.

Cheryle Jackson - In 2006, Cheryle Jackson was appointed president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League— the first time in the group’s history that a woman has served in that role. Before that, she served in disgraced ex-Gov. Blagojevich’s administration (but resigned), and has worked in various high-level corporate positions with Amtrak and NPR. But Jackson is set to re-enter the world of politics. She recently announced her campaign bid for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roland Burris.

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Cheryle Jackson - In 2006, Cheryle Jackson was appointed president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League— the first time in the group’s history that a woman has served in that role. Before that, she served in disgraced ex-Gov. Blagojevich’s administration (but resigned), and has worked in various high-level corporate positions with Amtrak and NPR. But Jackson is set to re-enter the world of politics. She recently announced her campaign bid for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roland Burris.

Sandi Jackson - Sandi Jackson is the wife of Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill) and has served as the alderman to Chicago’s city council since being elected in 2007. Mrs. Jackson recently revealed more of her political intentions by asking the Cook County Democratic Central Committee to add her as their candidate for Illinois’ lieutenant governor.

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Sandi Jackson - Sandi Jackson is the wife of Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill) and has served as the alderman to Chicago’s city council since being elected in 2007. Mrs. Jackson recently revealed more of her political intentions by asking the Cook County Democratic Central Committee to add her as their candidate for Illinois’ lieutenant governor.

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Lisa Borders - Lisa Borders, who currently serves as the president of Atlanta’s City Council and president of the Henry W. Grady Health System Foundation, is currently a candidate in this year’s mayoral election in Atlanta. Prior to her current positions, Borders has worked in the health care arena for over 15 years – serving as the Chief Administrator for Atlanta Women’s Specialists and Vice President of Operations for Healthcap Atlanta.

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Lisa Borders - Lisa Borders, who currently serves as the president of Atlanta’s City Council and president of the Henry W. Grady Health System Foundation, is currently a candidate in this year’s mayoral election in Atlanta. Prior to her current positions, Borders has worked in the health care arena for over 15 years – serving as the Chief Administrator for Atlanta Women’s Specialists and Vice President of Operations for Healthcap Atlanta.

Thurbert Baker - Thurbert Baker has served as Georgia’s Attorney General since he was appointed in 1997. Since then Baker, a Democrat, has been re-elected to his position three times. This year, Baker filed paperwork to become a candidate in the state’s gubernatorial election to be held next year.

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Thurbert Baker - Thurbert Baker has served as Georgia’s Attorney General since he was appointed in 1997. Since then Baker, a Democrat, has been re-elected to his position three times. This year, Baker filed paperwork to become a candidate in the state’s gubernatorial election to be held next year.