Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Jamie Harrison, whose four-year term expires at the end of this year, called on Democrats to resist calls to abandon “identity politics.”
Harrison addressed Arizona's state Democratic Party chairs on Thursday, citing his identity as a Black man.
“When I wake up in the morning, when I look in the mirror, when I go out the door, I can't scrub this dirt off. This is me,” he said, moving around his face, Associated Press reported. “This is how the world perceives me.”
“That's my identity. And it's not politics. It's my life. And the people I need in the party, the people I need to stand up for me, need to realize that. “There is,” Harrison said, adding, “There's no running away from it.”
Following last month's widespread election losses, Democrats are questioning that message and demanding answers, especially as Republicans prepare to take full control in January.
Earlier this year, Harrison emphasized the strength of Black voters in the 2024 election in an interview with The Hill's “The Switch Up.” While key voting groups primarily supported President Biden in 2020, President-elect Trump has been able to expand support, especially among black men, this term.
Support for the Democratic Party among black men has continued to decline since former President Barack Obama's first election in 2008.
According to exit polls, 80% of black men supported Biden in 2020, down from 82% who supported former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016. Additionally, Clinton's approval rating was significantly lower than Obama's 95% in 2008 and President Obama's 87%. his 2012 re-election bid;
While on the campaign trail, President Obama called on black men to support Vice President Harris, but this remark was met with some backlash.
The race to replace Harrison as DNC leader has already begun, with an election scheduled for February 1.
According to the Associated Press, the current leader said his “muzzle” will come off after the next speaker is announced, adding that there are grievances that need to be aired.
“That is all for greetings to all of you,” he added as he concluded his speech Thursday. “I'll save the rest for the book. And I'm naming names.”
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
