GOP to open community centers to reach out to Black voters in battleground states
Francesca Chambers
McClatchy DC Bureau
February 22, 2021
"Hoping to build on the gains former President Donald Trump made with African American voters, the Republican National Committee says it plans to open Black Community Centers in states that are expected to be competitive in next year’s midterm elections.
"The RNC has committed to spending $2 million on the outreach centers officials say they plan to begin opening as early as this spring in battleground states across the country.
“'The RNC has made a dedicated effort to engage with the Black community year-round – not just a few weeks before a presidential election,' RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement to McClatchy. 'We are serious about minority voter engagement because we know the Republican Party has an empowering message and policies that work for all Americans and the Black community.'
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"...Trump’s campaign and the RNC opened “Black Voices” community centers in 15 cities with the RNC in the last election cycle.
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"In 2020, the RNC’s community centers were located in Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Florida. All of those states except Michigan have U.S. Senate races on the ballot in 2022.
"The RNC said it also made a six-figure ad buy in Black newspapers in the month of February in many of those same states.
"Ads that are running in 23 Black newspapers in 13 states feature local Black Republicans and talk up policies the GOP says will be beneficial to Black communities.
"In addition to the Senate, Republicans are also hopeful they can win back control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 after cutting into Democrats’ majority in the last election.
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"Paris Dennard, senior communications advisor for Black Media Affairs at the RNC, told McClatchy the money the GOP is spending on its Black engagement strategy is 'in direct response to the positive gains made with Black voters for the GOP in 2020.'"
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