When Representative Will Hurd (R-TX) announced Thursday that he wasn’t seeking reelection in 2020, he might have lowered the number of Black Republicans in Congress from a low two to a really low one. Hurd, like many Republican lawmakers at the moment, is turning his back on a White House administration he is at odds with despite sharing the same party affiliation.
Even though U.S. Congress is more diverse today than it has ever been, the overwhelming majority of U.S. Congressmen, Congresswomen and Senators is white. The U.S. legislative session has been growing more diverse for the fifth election in a row, with most new (and old) minority members serving as Democrats. 110 people of color are currently holding Congressional office as Democrats opposed to 16 serving as Republicans. In the Senate, minorities are rare among both parties. Only 10 out of 100 United States senators are people of color.
Only time will tell if there will be more Black Republicans elected to Congress in 2020. One could be former New York state committeewoman Scherie Murray. The New York native born in Jamaika is challenging Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in her district on a platform of job creation, immigration reform and business development.
Diversity in the U.S.
How Diverse is U.S. Congress?
