Republicans to Watch

Scott Turner is one of many Black Republicans on the rise.

On the Rise - Florida Rep. Allen West may be best known nationally for his firebrand sound bites, but is by no means representative of the African-American Republican. In states across the nation, there's a bourgeoning group of Black members of the GOP who are quietly making their mark locally and on the national stage, all the while making a bit of noise for the party of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. – Joyce Jones (Photos from left: REUTERS /JOE SKIPPER /LANDOV, wikicommons) 

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On the Rise - Florida Rep. Allen West may be best known nationally for his firebrand sound bites, but is by no means representative of the African-American Republican. In states across the nation, there's a bourgeoning group of Black members of the GOP who are quietly making their mark locally and on the national stage, all the while making a bit of noise for the party of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. – Joyce Jones (Photos from left: REUTERS /JOE SKIPPER /LANDOV, wikicommons) 

Davis' Take - Artur Davis may be new to the party, but in a panel discussion on inclusion and broadening the GOP tent, he had this advice: "If we're serious about taking this country in the direction we want, our dominant enterprise ought to be figuring out how we get people who don't on first blush think like us to walk with us and to join our path." (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Artur Davis - Nary a peep has been heard from Artur Davis since he took the stage at the Republican National Convention to endorse Mitt Romney. But the former Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama, now practicing law in Virginia, may just be laying low and laying the groundwork for his next move for political office. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Byron Donalds - Byron Donalds lost his August primary bid to become the next Black Republican to represent Florida in Congress. But according to naplenews.com and African-American Republican movers and shakers, he's a man to keep an eye on. (Photo: byrondonalds.com)

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Byron Donalds - Byron Donalds lost his August primary bid to become the next Black Republican to represent Florida in Congress. But according to naplenews.com and African-American Republican movers and shakers, he's a man to keep an eye on. (Photo: byrondonalds.com)

Chelsi P. Henry - Chelsi P. Henri is just 24 years young, but as Florida's youngest delegate and the first Republican in her family, she is definitely one to watch. The third-year law student holds a seat on Duval County's Soil and Water Conservation District, and aspires to higher office. (Photo: chelsiphenry.com)

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Chelsi P. Henry - Chelsi P. Henri is just 24 years young, but as Florida's youngest delegate and the first Republican in her family, she is definitely one to watch. The third-year law student holds a seat on Duval County's Soil and Water Conservation District, and aspires to higher office. (Photo: chelsiphenry.com)

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Stephen N. Lackey - Whether you're a Republican or a Democrat, somebody's got to make it rain and for Black Republican hopefuls, fundraiser Stephen N. Lackey's their man. The Atlanta resident, entrepreneur and GOP surrogate in November plans to launch a multi-million dollar fund to develop candidates at various levels of government who support agendas important to African-American communities. (Photo: Courtesy Stephen Lackey)

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Monique Moore - Monique Moore, chief of staff for Ohio's Greater Stark County Urban League, is vying to become a state representative and become "an urban voice at the table." With her deep ties to U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, is her next step Congress? (Photo: ohioansforfreedom.com)

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Monique Moore - Monique Moore, chief of staff for Ohio's Greater Stark County Urban League, is vying to become a state representative and become "an urban voice at the table." With her deep ties to U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, is her next step Congress? (Photo: ohioansforfreedom.com)

Vernon Parker - Arizona congressional candidate Vernon Parker has already made a splash on the national stage. In September, Parker, who is running in a newly created district, was handpicked by House Speaker John Boehner to deliver the Republican Party's weekly address to the nation. (Photo: vernonparker.com)

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Vernon Parker - Arizona congressional candidate Vernon Parker has already made a splash on the national stage. In September, Parker, who is running in a newly created district, was handpicked by House Speaker John Boehner to deliver the Republican Party's weekly address to the nation. (Photo: vernonparker.com)

Rep. Eric “Scott” Turner - State Rep. Scott Turner was elected to the Texas House in 2012. Campaign themes included Stop Illegal Immigration and Obamacare Is Not Right For Texas. This year he announced plans to challenge the incumbent Republican House speaker for the chamber's top job.  (Photo: Courtesy of Scottturnerfortexas.com)

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Scott Turner - Businessman and former NFL player Scott Turner is a candidate for the Texas House of Representatives. The proof of his conservative bona fides is the stamp he received earlier this year: TeaApproved. (Photo: scottturnerfortexas.com)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Scottturnerfortexas.com

Jill Upson - Jill Upson is in line to become a West Virginia delegate. She's won the endorsement of GOPAC, a national organization devoted to educating and electing Republican leaders. (Photo: upson4wv.com)

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Jill Upson - Jill Upson is in line to become a West Virginia delegate. She's won the endorsement of GOPAC, a national organization devoted to educating and electing Republican leaders. (Photo: upson4wv.com)

Leah Wright - Leah Wright is an assistant professor of history and African-American studies at Wesleyan University. She's currently writing a book titled The Loneliness of the Black Conservative: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power to provide insight into the relationship between African-American politics, the civil rights movement and the GOP.  (Photo: lmwright.faculty.wesleyan.edu)

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Leah Wright - Leah Wright is an assistant professor of history and African-American studies at Wesleyan University. She's currently writing a book titled The Loneliness of the Black Conservative: Pragmatic Politics and the Pursuit of Power to provide insight into the relationship between African-American politics, the civil rights movement and the GOP.  (Photo: lmwright.faculty.wesleyan.edu)