Fighting for Equal Representation
There’s no doubt that a record number of Black candidates have run for office on the local, state and federal level across the country this 2021-2022 election cycle and that a record number of Black candidates are officially on the general election ballot. This election cycle, The Collective PAC — the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation and power across all levels of government — has endorsed, financially supported, and advised 252 Black candidates; with 187 of them on the ballot on November 8th.
As an organization working to change the face of power by closing the representation gap in Black elected leadership at all levels of government, The Collective PAC has maintained a particular focus this cycle on candidates running in U.S. Senate, Gubernatorial and State Attorneys General races; supporting candidates including: Mandela Barnes (WI), Cheri Beasley (NC), Charles Booker (KY), Val Demings (FL), Rev. Raphael Warnock (GA), Stacey Abrams (GA), Deirdre DeJear (IA), Wes Moore (MD), Aramis Ayala (FL), Keith Ellison (MN), Aaron Ford (NV), and Letitia James (NY) has been our top priority for the 2022 election cycle.
Since our founding in 2016, The Collective PAC has developed a proven track record by helping to elect 314 Black candidates to federal, congressional, statewide, and local offices across the country; including the elections of: Vice President Kamala Harris; Senator Cory Booker; Senator Raphael Warnock; Attorney General Letitia James (NY); Attorney General Keith Ellison (MN); Attorney General Aaron Ford of (NV); Attorney General Kwame Raoul (IL); Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist (MI); and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (WI).
The Collective PAC’s Work During the 2021-2022 Election Cycle
It has never been more evident than in recent years that the time to elect leaders who are ready to take action through powerful progressive policy decisions is now. To this end, The Collective PAC is working to close the representation gap of Black people at all levels of government to elect leaders that reflect and respect our communities.
Specifically, our in-state work has been focused on 7 priority states: Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin — a combination of traditional battleground states with large Black voter populations and states that present the best opportunities to elect Black candidates to the U.S. Senate and statewide offices, as well as help maintain Democratic majorities in Congress.
The Collective PAC’s Investments & Impact
The Collective PAC has spent approximately $700,000 to help elect our candidates through direct contributions to the campaigns. We’ve also bundled $333,823 for federal and statewide candidates. Investments were contributed directly to campaigns so they can establish and grow their voter outreach and engagement initiatives. Additionally, we’ve highlighted our endorsed candidates through our email and social media platforms and worked directly with many of our candidates on earned media outreach and revamping their social media campaigns.
Beginning in October, The Collective PAC organized 10 text banks for some of our high priority races in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Through these organizing efforts, volunteers were able to reach 2 million Black people, encouraging them to vote.
Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:
“The Collective PAC is proud to have 187 endorsed candidates on the ballot on November 8th. We are seeing a record number of Black candidates running for public office and together they represent a new generation of leaders that stand to reshape politics for years to come. These leaders are running for office at a time when their voices and lived experiences can help shape public policy that will improve the lives of all Americans. When we have elected officials who reflect and respect the diversity of our communities, we have a government that is more effective and more responsive to the needs of their constituents. We know that the ripple effect of this election as it pertains to the prowess of Black candidates, will be felt for years to come.
This November, voters have the opportunity to elect history making and glass shattering leaders, including the country’s first and second Black woman governors in Stacey Abrams and Deidre Dejear; the U.S. Senate’s first millennial officeholders in Mandela Barnes and Charles Booker; Congress’ first Gen-Z member in Max Frost; and electing two Black women to serve in the U.S. Senate at the same time in Val Demings and Cheri Beasley. The lists of first doesn’t end there as Maryland and Arkansas could elect their first Black governors”.
Groundbreaking Candidates
The Collective PAC’s 252 endorsed candidates have made great progress this election season:
** For a complete list of The Collective PAC’s endorsed candidates on the November 8th ballot please see below
2022 Endorsed Candidates on the Nov. 8th Ballot
Alabama
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
Arizona
Federal
Arkansas
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
California
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
Colorado
State & Local
Connecticut
Federal
Statewide
Delaware
State & Local
District of Columbia
State & Local
Florida
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
Georgia
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
Iowa
Statewide
Illinois
Federal
Statewide
Indiana
Statewide
State & Local
Kansas
Statewide
State & Local
Kentucky
Federal
State & Local
Louisiana
Federal
State & Local
Massachusetts
Statewide
State & Local
Maryland
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
Michigan
Statewide
State & Local
Minnesota
Statewide
State & Local
Mississippi
Federal
Missouri
Federal
State & Local
Nebraska
State & Local
New Hampshire
State & Local
New Jersey
Federal
State & Local
New Mexico
Nevada
Federal
Statewide
New York
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
North Carolina
Federal
State & Local
Ohio
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
Oregon
State & Local
Pennsylvania
Federal
Statewide
State & Local
Rhode Island
Statewide
State & Local
Tennessee
Federal
State & Local
Texas
Federal
State & Local
Virginia
State & Local
State & Local
Wisconsin
Federal
General Election Victories Prior to Nov. 8th
Arizona
Georgia
Maryland
North Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC
The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. The Collective PAC is strategically focused on creating a truly equitable democracy where our nation’s local, state and federal governments have diverse and talented elected leadership and Black people are fully represented in positions of power to create the policies necessary to progress our communities forward. Over the past five years, The Collective PAC has successfully helped 300 Black candidates win elections across the United States.