LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Voting advocates are highlighting the power of Black voters as the November election sits fewer than two weeks away.
On the ballot are the candidates for Kentucky Governor: Incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican challenger Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
On Wednesday, national voting rights organization Black Voters Matter joined local advocacy groups on the University of Louisville campus to urge students to cast their ballots next month and to stress how much their vote could make the difference.
The stop is part of the group's bus tour across the state, in which they also visited Murray, Lexington and Frankfort.
"We know we have a poverty issue, we know we have a policing issue, [and] we know there are people on the ground that want to see change," said Dean Charles Anthony II, the group's logistics director. "As history has predicted, the way Kentucky goes in that governor's race -- so does the Presidential next year. So we know that Black voters matter across this state. It's crucial."
Celine Mutuyemariya, organizing director with the Black Leadership Action Coalition of Kentucky, has traveled across the state to see what truly matters to Black Kentuckians and what issues drive them to the polls. She says even a turnout of a few more people can "literally win an election."
"I understand there has been a lot of economic growth across the state, but is that actually translating into people being able to access these jobs and not face barriers to these jobs," Mutuyemariya said, adding that low minimum wages and lack of affordable housing are also major concerns. "Political parties often really focus on Louisville and Lexington when talking about Black voters. They talk about us as pawns to turn out, and they don't really try to understand what is important to us."
While Mutuyemariya said her group's focus is to get Black voters to look at all the races on the ballot, she acknowledges the governor's race is getting much of the attention after the protests of 2020.
"Daniel Cameron failed to get justice for Breonna Taylor," she said. "That is just one example of the many ways that he does not speak for our community or try to work for justice for Black communities."
In a statement, spokesperson for the Cameron campaign Courtney Norris responded, saying "I think Kentuckians agree that Ms. Taylor’s death was a tragedy and that the Attorney General followed the law. Kentuckians know Attorney General Cameron’s obligation is to follow the law, no matter what—even when protesters showed up on his lawn."
She continued, "People, regardless of skin color, want their leaders focused on growing the economy, improving education, and reducing crime."
No excuse early in-person voting starts on Nov. 2. Click here for more information.
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