Governor races present ‘unique moment’ as historic number of Black candidates climbs to 8

Across 250 years, only three elected governors out of thousands have been Black –- all Democrats and all men, including current Maryland Gov.

Wes Moore.

But Moore could soon have company.

With Florida Republicans nominating U.S.

Rep.

Byron Donalds on Tuesday, there are seven Black major party gubernatorial nominees in addition to Moore — men and women, Democrats and Republicans — on November ballots.

“We do have a unique moment here,” said Moore, who recently became chair of the National Governors Association .

He often says that his historic status is “not an applause line” but instead represents a bigger challenge that this country is still looking to overcome.

The Black nominees typically do not focus on the history at stake, instead emphasizing their experience and policy proposals.

“Florida is a great meritocracy in America,” Donalds told reporters Tuesday night after not mentioning his race at all in his victory speech.

“I’ll let you guys write about that,” he added.

But many said that more reflective representation matters given the nation’s history, from slavery to Jim Crow and the lingering effects.

“It’s not a secret that some issues in the African American community get ignored and don’t have a voice,” said Aaron Ford , Nevada’s first Black attorney general and now the Democratic nominee for governor.

Ford said he brings a focus to issues ranging from voting rights and civil rights to the economy.