WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The Collective PAC, the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political representation across all levels of government, proudly announced its first three endorsements for the 2021 election cycle. Founders of The Collective, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“After an incredibly successful 2020 cycle where 66 of our endorsed candidates won their elections, we’re excited to hit the ground running with our first slate of 2021 endorsements. As we work to build Black political power, we know supporting candidates at every level of government is imperative. From working to ensure our streets are paved to securing funding for our schools, hospitals, and fire departments, municipal leaders have an outsized role in their constituents’ day to day lives. The three candidates we are endorsing today are staunch progressive leaders who will fight to make their communities fairer, safer, and more inclusive for all people and The Collective PAC is proud to support their campaigns.

Tishaura Jones (Candidate for Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri) will once again make history if she is elected St. Louis’ first Black woman mayor, following her historic tenure as city treasurer. Her longstanding commitment to transparency, integrity, and service make her the ideal candidate to tackle the city’s most pressing challenges. Under Tishaura’s leadership, St. Louisans can rely on sustainable and equitable investments into their communities.

Sharetta Smith (Candidate for Mayor of Lima, Ohio) is poised to become Lima, Ohio’s first Black woman mayor. As chief of staff for the outgoing mayor and chairwoman for the Lima Housing Taskforce, Sharetta has a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the city. She is committed to finding equitable solutions for Lima’s neighborhoods by investing in infrastructure, public safety, education, and the economy.

Mayor Randall Woodfin (Re-election as Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama) has put the people of Birmingham first during his first term as mayor by creating the Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity, reducing violent crime by more than 20 percent, and protecting more than 2,500 jobs in Birmingham during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The Collective PAC, the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political representation across all levels of government, calls on Ohio State Senator Stephen Huffman to resign as chair of the state’s Senate Health Committee. Founders of The Collective PAC, Quentin James and Stefanie Brown James, released the following statement:

“Stephen Huffman has no place serving in the Ohio Senate, especially as Chair of the chamber’s Health Committee. For a public servant and a medical professional to boldly state “Could it just be that African Americans or the colored population do not wash their hands as well as other groups,” is disgraceful, disqualifying, and proof of his incapability to legislate and offer sound, unbiased guidance on any public policy matter—especially health care. Huffman’s statement is yet another example of the systemic racism and prejudice embedded in our institutions that was emboldened during the Trump presidency. If Senator Huffman was already fired as an ER doctor for his previous statements, he should not be rewarded with a chairmanship of the Ohio Senate Health Committee, especially during the ongoing pandemic. As COVID-19 continues its assault on our nation, Ohioans deserve leaders who will work to find solutions, especially for those disproportionately affected. We call for Senator Huffman’s immediate resignation and for Senate leadership to select a chairperson who understands the racial inequities that have long plagued our health care system, and can be a strong partner to Black Ohioans in the fight against COVID-19.”

ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE PAC

The Collective PAC is working to create an America where Black people are equally represented at every level of government. Today, 90% of all elected officials are white and 95% of all elected prosecutors are white. 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.