With Burris Gone, No Black Senators Left

When U.S. Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) leaves office at the end of this year’s congressional session, so too will the appearance of diversity disappear in one chamber of Congress.  Senator Burris is the only remaining African American in the U.S. Senate.

“When the 112th Congress is sworn in this coming January, there will not be a single black American who takes the oath of office in this chamber. This is simply unacceptable,” stated Burris during his last speech on the Senate floor.

While there are no remaining African Americans,  there is one Hispanic Senator-elect poised to join the Senate chamber.  Cuban American Marco Rubio (R-FL), who defeated Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL) and Gov. Charlie Crist in one of the most talked about Senate races in the country, will at least bring the Hispanic perspective to the Senate. Though many expect the policies of this Tea Party darling to be fairly far right, the impact Rubio will have, if any, on advocating for the interests of African Americans is as yet unclear.

Some would argue that since there is an African American President, substantial diversity is not needed in the Senate.  But when does America not need a diverse point of view, particularly in both chambers of Congress charged with legislating changes that impact us all.  It’s not that Black people are looking for affirmative action elections, but having representation from someone who ‘looks like you’ in Senate is both desireable and necessary to ensuring that all people are adequately represented in this country.

So, color, as it applies to African Americans, will walk out the door along with Roland Burris, who, though there were questions about his appointment by Gov.  Rod Blagojevich, was the last remaining African American Senator after President Obama.  He will be replaced by Republican Senator-elect Mark Kirk.

Who will be the next African American Senator?  The candidate will not likely originate in the South.  Although, looking deeper, Mississippi did elect the first African American U.S. Senator Hiram Revels, who served from 1870-1871.  In recent years, Illinois seems to have a monopoly on electing or appointing U.S. Senators of African American decent – Mosley-Braun, Obama, Burris.

Californians will likely elect Kamala Harris, African American woman and current DA of San Francisco, as the state’s Attorney General, which may make the state fertile ground for a future African American candidate for U.S. Senate.

While it is difficult to predict when the next African American Senator will be elected due to the American electorate, it may be easier to determine which states may be in play to elect an African American Senator based on the past presidential and future 2012 targets for the Democrats.

Britton Loftin is a Political Strategist and Director of a Legislative & Government Affairs firm.

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One Response to With Burris Gone, No Black Senators Left

1. FiscalConservat says:

   6:47am November 29, 2010 at 6:47 am

   Dude. You're a "political strategist" and you don't already know that Michael Williams is pretty much a lock to win KBH's seat in Texas? There's your next black Senator.

   Reply