Throughout 2022, 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. 

Primary Victories in Texas

On March 1st, Texas held the first primary elections of the midterm election season and of our 16 endorsed candidates, 11 of them advanced in their races by heading to run-off elections on May 24th or the general election in November. 

March Endorsements 

During the month of March, The Collective PAC endorsed 26 candidates running for office, including: Wes Moore for Governor of Maryland and JB Smiley Jr. for Governor of Tennessee, four congressional candidates, candidates running in statewide races, a slate of candidates in Maryland and additional state and local candidates across multiple states. 

Our Collective Power, A Speaker Series 

We kicked off our 2022 speaker series with three Black women running for Congress: State Representative Jasmine Crockett in Texas, Karin Norington-Reaves in Illinois, and State Senator Sydney Kamlager in California.  These three candidates have been endorsed by the incumbent Congressional Black Caucus Members who currently represent these respective districts but have decided to not seek re-election: Rep. Eddie Berneice Johnson (TX-30), Rep. Bobby Rush (IL-01) and Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37). You can watch the full discussion here. 

#BetOnBlack, Candidate Video Series

This week, The Collective PAC released its #BetOnBlack candidate video series designed to highlight our endorsed candidates by providing a glimpse into their campaigns and personal lives. In The Collective PAC’s first video installment, we featured Louin Hubbard, candidate for United States Congress (CA-22). Check out the video here.

 

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.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, 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 Ashanti Martinez, Chiquita Jackson, and Nick Charles for House of Delegates, and Tiffany Jones for Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee.

 

• Ashanti Martinez is running to represent District 22 in the House of Delegates. Mr.Martinez plans to use progressive leadership and lead Maryland through a new era by addressing the housing inequalities, supporting green policies, and economic development.

 

• Chiquita Jackson is running to represent District 22 in the House of Delegates. Ms.Jackson is determined to give the community a voice and make Maryland thrive through economic and social development. 

 

• Representative Nick Charles is running for re-election in District 25 for the House of Delegates. Rep.Charles is determined to keep uplifting the communities and pushing Maryland to thrive through advocating for teachers and funding for education,  effective reintegration reform, and economic empowerment. 

 

• Tiffany Jones is running for Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee. Ms.Jones is dedicated to fighting for equity in Medicaid, education reform, community-centered public safety,  and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. 

 

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.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Collective PAC, the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political engagement, representation, and power across all levels of government  —  a slate of candidates running for statewide offices in California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Tennessee. 

 

California:

• Malia Cohen is running for State Controller in California. Ms. Cohen currently serves on the State Board of Equalization – the first African American woman to serve on the Board. As California’s next Controller, Ms. Cohen aspires to invest in the community by creating job opportunities, expanding affordable housing and healthcare, and investing in quality education.

 

Georgia:

• Christian Wise Smith is running for Attorney General in Georgia. Mr. Wise Smith is an attorney, non-profit founder, and children’s book author. He is also the founder of the National  Social Justice Alliance; unites prosecuting attorneys across the country to end police brutality and increase voter education. He aspires to fight for equality in the justice system and protect voters’ rights. 

 

• Michael Owens is running for Secretary of State in Georgia. Mr. Owens is a Marine Corps veteran and cybersecurity expert; he plans to strengthen Georgia’s cybersecurity, increase voter participation and accessibility, and support economic growth through small businesses.

 

Illinois:

• Alderman David Moore is running for Secretary of State in Illinois. Alderman Moore plans to use his knowledge of corporate experience and passion for progressive change to lead the communities of Illinois into a new era of economic growth and stronger community ties.

 

• Attorney General Kwame Raoul is running for re-election to continue to serve as Attorney General in Illinois. Attorney General Raoul plans to keep investing in Illinois through advocating for women’s equal pay, expanding Medicaid to cover birth control and mammograms, and supporting and fighting for safe communities for children and the overall betterment of Illinois. 

 

Massachusetts:

• Andrea Campbell is running for Attorney General of Massachusetts. As a lawyer and elected official, Andrea has spent her life and career advocating for justice and those who have been let down by government. She will continue that work by using the power of the Attorney General’s office to ensure all residents regardless of their zip code or demographic have access to the same tools and resources she had growing up – so that everyone can live up to their full potential.

 

• Ms. Tanisha Sullivan is running for Secretary of State in Massachusetts. Ms.Sullivan graduated from the University of Virginia; she also obtained her Juris Doctorate and M.B.A from Boston College. She aspires to expand voting rights, create accountability and transparency within the government, and create economic growth. 

 

Ohio:

• Councilwoman Chelsea Clark is running for Secretary of State in Ohio. Councilwoman Clark aims to create job opportunities through small businesses, transparency between the government and the community and put the community at the forefront. 

 

• Judge Terri Jamison is running for Ohio Supreme Court. Judge Jamison currently serves Franklin County, having been elected to the Tenth District Court of Appeals for the State of Ohio. Judge Jamison believes in equality injustice and will fight for transparency and restore the public’s trust in the justice system.

 

Tennessee:   

• Councilman JB Smiley Jr. is running for Governor in Tennessee. Councilman Smiley, Jr. aspires to fully fund public education, expand Medicaid, increase contracts for minority and women-owned businesses. 

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

“The Collective PAC is thrilled to endorse this slate of statewide candidates in California, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, and Tennessee. All of the candidates have answered the call to be agents of change using their voices as a sounding board for the unheard. We look forward to seeing these candidates enact change in their communities.” 

 

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.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, 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 a slate of candidates for state and local office in California, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee. 

California:

• Duke Cooney (Sacramento County Supervisor) is running for Supervisor in Sacramento County. Mr. Cooney is a graduate of Sacramento State University; he plans to create cleaner and safer communities within the county, and uplift the quality of urban planning. 

Georgia:

• Andre Johnson (Gwinnett County Superior Division 2)  is running to be Gwinnett County Court Superior because he has the drive, experience, and integrity to usher in a new wave of criminal justice reform. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Morehouse College and Emory University School of Law. 

 

• Karen Scott Green (Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge) is running to represent Gwinnett County as Superior Court Judge. Mrs. Scott Green is a graduate of Georgia Tech and St. Thomas University School of Law with over 27 years of experience in criminal justice; she is dedicated to bringing fairness and advocacy into the courtroom. 

Indiana:

• Andrea Hunley (Indiana State Senate District 46)  is running to be Indiana State Senator of District 46; she has been a dedicated public servant as an Indianapolis Public Schools Principal for the past ten years. Mrs. Hunley plans to use her dedication to education and the community to lead Indiana on a pathway of success. 

Ohio:

• Rickell Howard Smith (Juvenile Court Judge) is running to represent Hamilton County as a Juvenile Court Judge. Mrs. Howard Smith plans to use her knowledge as a civil rights attorney, child advocate, and juvenile law expert to strengthen the communities of Hamilton County. 

Tennessee:

• Marcus Floyd (General Session Court Judge) is running to represent Nashville as a General Session Court Judge. As a former Probation Officer, Prosecutor, Policy Advisor, and Public Defender; Mr. Floyd is committed to bringing equity, trust, and accountability to the bench. 

 

• Temiika D. Gipson (Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk) is running for re-election in Shelby County. Clerk Gipson aspires to continue mentoring the youth, advocating for employees, creating accountability within justice systems for the community, and technological advancements for the courts. 

 

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.