Voters in North Carolina, this week brought new levels of prominence to minorities in law enforcement by electing black sheriffs in all seven counties in the state. Five of those counties – Cumberland, Guilford, Buncombe, Forsyth and Durham – made history as they elected black sheriffs for the first time ever.
More interesting is the fact that one of them, Buncombe, elected a black sheriff into office despite having a population that’s 90% white. And as Charlotte Observer reports, “Both election analysts and the winners said black candidates were propelled to office largely because they objected to hard-line immigration policies and could appeal to voters who felt forgotten or afraid.”
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Wake County saw Democrat Gerald Baker oust longtime Sheriff Donnie Harrison. Baker was able to beat his opponent who was accused of being an ally to Trump’s agenda and also for “stocking racial tensions.” And according to reports he also, “participated in the 287(g) program to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency responsible for deportations and other immigration law enforcement.”
Minority candidates have greatly witnessed the benefit of widespread voter registration drives. Participation was also encouraged by free rides offered to voters to the polls. The determination went as far as asking voters to stay in line even after they were denied access to the polls. And Chaniqua Simpson, who is a doctoral student in sociology at N.C. State said, “We’re energizing voters of color who haven’t voted in midterms.”
Source: Black Sheriffs Elected in North Carolina’s Seven States as Focus Remains on Immigration
