Black Caucus Members Endorse Challenger to White Memphis Incumbent
/By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Politics
At least two members of the Congressional Black Caucus are supporting an African-American primary challenger to Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen , a first-term Democrat, who is white and seeking re-election in his Memphis district, and more members of Congress may join them.
Cohen’s Democratic primary challenger in the majority black 9th district is Nikki Tinker, an airline executive.
The political action committee of Democratic Rep. Gregory W. Meeks of New York donated $2,000 to Tinker in February; and the campaign committee for Democratic Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio contributed $2,000 in December.
Tinker’s campaign indicated in an interview that Tinker is “solidifying support” and a list of additional members of Congress who have signed on to support Tinker’s campaign is scheduled for release in the coming weeks. Staff declined to specify members until their endorsements are made public.
Cohen told CQ Politics that the situation as “a little awkward.”
“I’d rather that my colleagues support me, than not,” Cohen said, but added that he is receiving strong support from other lawmakers including House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel of New York, and and an endorsement from House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, both members of the CBC.
Cohen was the only major white candidate on the 15-candidate primary ballot in 2006, narrowly besting Tinker. Some activists in the district, which encompasses Memphis, immediately cried foul, arguing that had the “black vote” not been split to such a large degree, Cohen would not have won. Black members of the Ford family had represented the district for the 32 years prior to Cohen and some believe it is important to restore black representation.
Cohen sought unsuccessfully to join the CBC when he was first sworn into office. Since then, he has worked to unite the district and advocate for his black constituents as well as the district as a whole. Earlier this month, Cohen held a town hall event with actor Danny Glover, Conyers, and singer and civil rights leader Harry Belafonte. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama , who is seeking to become the nation’s first black president, has requested Cohen to speak on his behalf for various events.
Cohen sponsored bills apologizing for slavery and racial segregation, recognize the contributions of the Negro Baseball League, Memphis soul music, and has worked to bring federal dollars home to his district, among other efforts.
Cohen reported raising $531,000 and had $605,000 on hand as of March 31, according to his most recent report filed with the Federal Election Commission. Cohen’s most recent receipts include donations from Conyers and Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank and multiple members contributed to Cohen last year.
Tinker reported $291,000 raised and $228,000 on hand through March 31.
Cohen said that all four of his Aug. 7 primary opponents are African American, including Democratic state Rep. Joe Towns Jr., a cousin of Democratic Rep. Edolphus Towns of New York, a CBC member. Towns Jr. received a slim margin of support in the 2006 primary ballot but had reportedly ended his campaign before the primary took place. Cohen believes Towns is serious about his 2008 bid and that could greatly alter the landscape.
“The dynamics of the race have changed,” Cohen said.
Black Caucus Members Endorse Challenger to White Memphis Incumbent
Democrats James Gregory and Isaac Richmond also have filed for the Democratic primary and three independent candidates filed for the race, including Jake Ford, brother of former Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr., who vacated the seat in 2006 to run for Senate.
Jake Ford, a pharmaceutical company representative, complicated Cohen’s bid in 2006 by waging an independent campaign. His well-known last name gave his candidacy weight despite the fact that Ford had little political experience. Ford took 22 percent of the vote in the general election, which Cohen won with 60 percent. Republican businessman Mark White received 18 percent of the vote.
Cohen said that with the additional minority candidates in the race Tinker might have to face a situation where they may also pick up endorsements from other sitting congressmen.
The district is strong Democratic territory that gave Democrat John Kerry 70 percent of the vote in 2004. CQ Politics rates the 9th District race Safe Democrat.
Though Cohen operates on a daily basis with the knowledge that some colleagues are gunning for his ouster, he said he doesn’t let that affect his daily duties as congressman.
“It’s not going to affect how I vote on bills or how I deal with people.”
As for those that have broken ranks, “There’s not much I can do about that,” Cohen said. [MORE]
At least two members of the Congressional Black Caucus are supporting an African-American primary challenger to Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen , a first-term Democrat, who is white and seeking re-election in his Memphis district, and more members of Congress may join them.
Cohen’s Democratic primary challenger in the majority black 9th district is Nikki Tinker, an airline executive.
The political action committee of Democratic Rep. Gregory W. Meeks of New York donated $2,000 to Tinker in February; and the campaign committee for Democratic Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio contributed $2,000 in December.
Tinker’s campaign indicated in an interview that Tinker is “solidifying support” and a list of additional members of Congress who have signed on to support Tinker’s campaign is scheduled for release in the coming weeks. Staff declined to specify members until their endorsements are made public.
Cohen told CQ Politics that the situation as “a little awkward.”
“I’d rather that my colleagues support me, than not,” Cohen said, but added that he is receiving strong support from other lawmakers including House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel of New York, and and an endorsement from House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, both members of the CBC.
Cohen was the only major white candidate on the 15-candidate primary ballot in 2006, narrowly besting Tinker. Some activists in the district, which encompasses Memphis, immediately cried foul, arguing that had the “black vote” not been split to such a large degree, Cohen would not have won. Black members of the Ford family had represented the district for the 32 years prior to Cohen and some believe it is important to restore black representation.
Cohen sought unsuccessfully to join the CBC when he was first sworn into office. Since then, he has worked to unite the district and advocate for his black constituents as well as the district as a whole. Earlier this month, Cohen held a town hall event with actor Danny Glover, Conyers, and singer and civil rights leader Harry Belafonte. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama , who is seeking to become the nation’s first black president, has requested Cohen to speak on his behalf for various events.
Cohen sponsored bills apologizing for slavery and racial segregation, recognize the contributions of the Negro Baseball League, Memphis soul music, and has worked to bring federal dollars home to his district, among other efforts.
Cohen reported raising $531,000 and had $605,000 on hand as of March 31, according to his most recent report filed with the Federal Election Commission. Cohen’s most recent receipts include donations from Conyers and Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank and multiple members contributed to Cohen last year.
Tinker reported $291,000 raised and $228,000 on hand through March 31.
Cohen said that all four of his Aug. 7 primary opponents are African American, including Democratic state Rep. Joe Towns Jr., a cousin of Democratic Rep. Edolphus Towns of New York, a CBC member. Towns Jr. received a slim margin of support in the 2006 primary ballot but had reportedly ended his campaign before the primary took place. Cohen believes Towns is serious about his 2008 bid and that could greatly alter the landscape.
“The dynamics of the race have changed,” Cohen said.
Black Caucus Members Endorse Challenger to White Memphis Incumbent
Democrats James Gregory and Isaac Richmond also have filed for the Democratic primary and three independent candidates filed for the race, including Jake Ford, brother of former Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr., who vacated the seat in 2006 to run for Senate.
Jake Ford, a pharmaceutical company representative, complicated Cohen’s bid in 2006 by waging an independent campaign. His well-known last name gave his candidacy weight despite the fact that Ford had little political experience. Ford took 22 percent of the vote in the general election, which Cohen won with 60 percent. Republican businessman Mark White received 18 percent of the vote.
Cohen said that with the additional minority candidates in the race Tinker might have to face a situation where they may also pick up endorsements from other sitting congressmen.
The district is strong Democratic territory that gave Democrat John Kerry 70 percent of the vote in 2004. CQ Politics rates the 9th District race Safe Democrat.
Though Cohen operates on a daily basis with the knowledge that some colleagues are gunning for his ouster, he said he doesn’t let that affect his daily duties as congressman.
“It’s not going to affect how I vote on bills or how I deal with people.”
As for those that have broken ranks, “There’s not much I can do about that,” Cohen said. [MORE]
