Primary Days: Who Will Make It to November?
A look at African-Americans in primary races.
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Win Some, Lose Some - With primary season heating up, BET.com is keeping an eye on the races. Some of the candidates are running their first political campaign, while others may be more familiar faces dealing with an unfamiliar challenge. Add this link to your list of favorites to find out who wins and who definitely won't be on the ballot in November. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick) (Photo:stevezmina1/Getty Images)
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New York Rep. Charles B. Rangel - All Charlie Rangel wants is an opportunity to serve a final term during President Obama's last two years in office. In 2012, he narrowly kept his seat after beating New York state Sen. Adriano Espaillat by just 1,000 votes. Can he do it again on June 24? So far the polls are indicating that Rangel may get his wish, but after House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's stunning defeat, who knows? Either way, given the district's growing Latino population, the dean of the New York delegation may well be the last African-American to represent the storied Harlem, NY, district in Congress this year or next. Update: Although Espaillat is unwilling to concede and the Associated Press has not yet called the race, Rangel is presumed to be the winner. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
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Michael Walrond - Michael Walrond, pastor of Harlem's historic First Corinthian Baptist Church, also is vying for Rangel's seat. Heaven can't help him on this one. The conventional wisdom is that Walrond, who until earlier this year resided in New Jersey, should have sought a city council or other state legislature seat and waited his turn — advice he's ignored. He won't beat Rangel, but by splitting the vote, he could become a significant contributor to what would be an historic loss.Update: Lost (Photo: Walrond For Congress)
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Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown - Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown is predicted to win his primary bid to become the nation's third African-American governor. According to Politico, however, the race has been as ugly as it gets, with only Rangel's battle with Espaillat coming close. His chief rival, Attorney General Doug Gansler, has hit him on voting against a bill while a delegate to assist victims of child abuse; and initially supporting Hillary Clinton in 2008. A super PAC supporting Brown ran an ad focusing on two Gansler scandals, including photographs of him at a party where his teenage son and other under-age children appear to be drinking alcohol.Update: Brown won with an impressive 58 percent of the vote.(Photo: Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)
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Oklahoma State Rep. T.W. Shannon - Oklahoma Rep. T.W. Shannon made history when he became House speaker in the state, a role he gave up to run for Congress. Now the state legislator wants to do it again by joining U.S. Sen. Tim Scott on the Republican side of the capitol's upper chamber. His primary opponent is U.S. House Rep. James Lankford. It's a tight race and so far Lankford is leading in fundraising, while Shannon, an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, has received some big-name endorsements from the likes of former Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts, Sen. Ted Cruz and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Update: Lost (Photo: AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Niger Innis - Niger Innis, national spokesman for the civil rights organization founded by his father, Congress for Racial Equality, and friend of controversial Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, hopes to unseat Rep. Steven Horsford in November. But first he's got to best his primary opponent, Cresent Hardy. Innis has won the endorsement of the state Republican Party and former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, but, according to the Las Vegas Sun, the winner of the June 10 primary is anyone's guess. Update: Lost (Photo: Courtesy Niger Innis For Congress Campaign)
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Rep. Steven Horsford - Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford is expected to win his June 10 primary after which the race may get a little tighter for the freshman Democrat. He may face off with Tea Party activist Niger Innis, who also is African-American, or Assemblyman Cresent Hardy, whose Mormon religion could give him an advantage in the state.Update: Won; will face two-term Assemblyman Cresent Hardy in November (Photo: Steven Horsford for Congress)
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Lavern Chatman - Lavern Chatman is running for a seat in Virginia's 8th congressional district. Oprah Winfrey traveled to Virginia in April to sign autographs at $2,500 each to raise money for Chatman's campaign. The former Northern Virginia Urban League president says, "If we can put a community organizer in the White House, we can put a community leader in the U.S. House." She has some very stiff competition, but if luck is on her side on June 10 she will almost surely win the heavily Democratic district in November. Update: Lost (Photo: Laverne Chatman for Congress)
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Melvin L. Todd Jr. - Politicians have got to start somewhere. Virginia resident Melvin Todd is going for clerk of Richmond City Circuit Court. The private practice attorney previously did time as a public defender. The clerk's office oversees the key records of our lives, from issuing marriage licenses to probating wills. Update: Awaiting results (Photo: Melvin Todd/ Todd for Clerk Campaign)