Throughout 2023, The Collective PAC will provide pertinent updates every month on our work to support Black candidates running nationwide, as well as results of key research projects and groundbreaking initiatives we’ll be undertaking as we work to increase Black political engagement, representation and power across all levels of government. 

Jennifer McClellan Wins Special Election in VA-04   

On February 21st State Senator Jennifer McClellan made history in Virginia by becoming the first Black woman to represent the commonwealth in Congress. Her proven track record of enacting progressive change paired with her experience and passion will make her a powerful voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

February Endorsements 

During the month of February, The Collective PAC made its first endorsements in the 2023 and 2024 election cycle. 

We announced our first municipal endorsements for 2023 with the following candidates; Kesha Hodge Washington running for Phoenix City Council in Arizona, Ce-ce Gerlach running for re-election to the At-Large seat for Allentown City Council in Pennsylvania, and Dr. Jared Williams running for re-election to the Fort Worth City Council in Texas. 

We also endorsed Colonel Pamela Stevenson in her historic bid to become the first Black woman Attorney General in Kentucky. With 39 years of legal experience at the local, state, federal and international levels, Col. Stevenson is one of the most qualified candidates to ever seek the office of Attorney General. 

Electing a Black woman to the U.S. Senate this cycle remains a top organizational priority and to that end The Collective PAC proudly endorsed Congresswoman Barbara Lee from California for the United States Senate, marking our first Senate endorsement of the 2024 election cycle.

February in Review

During Super Bowl weekend, The Collective PAC celebrated the historic wins in November with a dinner in Phoenix, Arizona. We were honored to host Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Rep. Jamal Bowman, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, Rep. Nikema Williams, Kansas City, MO, Mayor Quinton Lucas, and Hon. Reggie Bolding. Together we are ready to elect even more Black candidates to office up and down the ballot in 2023 and 2024. 

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 424 Black candidates win elections across the United States.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Collective PAC – the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government – congratulates State Senator Jennifer McClellan on her historic special election victory becoming the first Black woman to represent Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“The Collective PAC is proud to congratulate State Senator Jennifer McClellan on her historic special election victory for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District. Senator McClellan has dedicated her life to serving the people of Virginia, and after 17 years of representing the greater Richmond area in the state assembly, she made history tonight by becoming the first Black woman to represent the commonwealth in Congress. Senator McClellan’s proven track record of enacting progressive change paired with her experience and passion will make her a powerful voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. We know that Representative-Elect Jennifer McClellan will continue her legacy of enacting change while carrying on the legacy of the late Representative Donald McEachin.” 

 

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 423 Black candidates win elections across the United States.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Collective PAC – the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government – endorsed Congresswoman Barbara Lee for the United States Senate in California. 

Congresswoman Barbara Lee is running to represent California in the United States Senate. From the very beginning of her time in public service, Rep. Lee has fought to turn our nation’s promise of peace, equality and justice for all into a reality for all people. To that end, she continues to be an unflinching voice for human rights, global peace, and justice for all. Rep. Lee raised two sons while earning her undergraduate and graduate degree from Mills College and the University of California, Berkley respectively. As the highest-ranking Black woman in Democratic leadership, her numerous legislative accomplishments have all been rooted in the universal goal of uplifting the marginalized and underrepresented. Rep. Lee’s commitment to racial and economic justice, ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic, addressing and alleviating poverty, and advancing a vision of U.S. foreign policy that actively promotes global peace and security earned her a reputation for being a trusted public servant that will never back down from speaking truth to power. 

Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“The Collective PAC is proud to endorse Congresswoman Barbara Lee from California for the United States Senate, marking our first Senate endorsement of the 2024 election cycle.  Electing a Black woman to the U.S. Senate this cycle remains a top organizational priority and we are proud to stand with a fearless and experienced champion for social justice like Rep. Barbara Lee. She has spent her life on the front lines fighting for LGBTQ rights, minority rights, women’s rights and an end to the cycle of poverty, not only for Californians but all Americans. Most notably, Rep. Lee, in the days after the September 11, 2001 attack on our country, had the foresight in predicting that the open-ended 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq would be used as a blank check for perpetual war, and was the lone vote against the war on terror. The Collective PAC is proud to stand by Rep. Barbara Lee as she takes the next step in her long career of public service, and looks forward to helping her become only the third Black woman to serve in the United States Senate.”  

 

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 423 Black candidates win elections across the United States.