The special Democratic primary election for the open seat in the 11th Congressional district in northeast Ohio on August 3rd was called a battle between status quo politics and calls for social transformation. Progressive politician, Nina Turner, touted social change, and her opponent, Shontel Brown, was considered the status quo candidate.
At least three issues were apparent in this election: (1) the extent to which wealth supremacists will go to preserve the status quo, (2) the operation of dark money, and (3) the extent to which Black Democrats are complicit in (1) and (2).
Who benefits from the status quo? The answer is “thems that got,” especially the wealth supremacists.
Who would benefit from changes in the status quo, as argued by Turner and her progressive leader, Bernie Sanders? The answer is “those in need” in some instances and all of us in some other cases.
At least three issues were apparent in this election: (1) the extent to which wealth supremacists will go to preserve the status quo, (2) the operation of dark money, and (3) the extent to which Black Democrats are complicit in (1) and (2).
Big money came to the rescue to protect the status quo, sometimes directly and sometimes as dark (hidden) money.
The two campaigns raised an absurd amount of money—about $4.5 million each–for a special election primary race. Early on, Turner’s campaign seemed to have greater financial power as she was much better known locally and nationally.
In June, Turner reported contributions from 54,000 different individuals giving an average of $27 each. However, wealth supremacists enabled Brown to be well-funded.
The so-called dark money in politics exists because of a horrible U.S. Supreme Court decision. In 2010 the Court ruled in Citizens United that corporations and special interests have free speech rights like citizens. Thus, they could pump millions of dollars into elections–often in complete secrecy. This is done mainly through major political action committees (Super PACs).
Both campaigns received support from regular PACs; however, Brown was supported by Super PACs heavily funded by donors who usually support Republicans.
Wealthy individuals were alarmed at Turner’s challenge to Big Pharma, insurance firms, and the fossil-fuel industry. These individuals included Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, a prominent Trump supporter, and an oil supporter and gas billionaire.
Clyburn was just one of a long list of Black Democrats opposing Turner and supporting the wealth supremacists. They included the Congressional Black Caucus.
The Democratic Majority for Israel, a Super PAC, raised and spent nearly $2 million for Brown and against Turner, apparently because Turner complained about the treatment of Palestinians by Israel.
Among many Republicans supporting Brown was conservative leader Bill Kristol, who advised Republicans to vote in the Democratic primary and against Turner. Note that this was all done in a primary race for a congressional seat.
Black establishment Congressional Democrats appear to be in a contradictory place. On the one hand, Black members in the House of Representatives helped lead legislation to control “dark money” in politics, in H.R.1 – For the People Act of 201, which is held up in the U.S. Senate. On the other hand, they are receiving campaign donations from some of these same wealth supremacists behind the dark money phenomenon
Turner’s most prominent opponent, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, is reported to have received nearly $300,000 in campaign contributions in 2019 and 2020 from electrical utility and oil and gas interests, industries based primarily on fossil fuels. The fossil fuel-based industries oppose the Green New Deal, which Turner supports and the public wants.
Clyburn has also received more than $1 million from the pharmaceutical industry in the last decade. In addition to other problematic issues, this industry strongly opposes Medicare for All — one of Turner’s platform issues — which is very popular in Northeast Ohio.
Clyburn was just one of a long list of Black Democrats opposing Turner and supporting the wealth supremacists. They included the Congressional Black Caucus.
So the wealth supremacists won, as Nina would probably say, “this time,” as she has not given up. On the night of her defeat, she said the following to her supporters.
“We will continue this journey until every working person earns a living wage, including passing a $15 minimum wage. We will continue this journey until every person has health care as a right and not a privilege. We will continue this journey until children’s destinies are not determined by their zip code or the color of their skin.
“We will continue this journey until we have torn down racism, sexism, homophobia, religious bigotry, and every kind of hatred and discrimination. We will continue this journey until justice is equal for every person in this country. And this journey will continue until we have ensured that this planet will be habitable for our children and our grandchildren. So, my friends, it is OK to be sad tonight. But tomorrow we must roll up our sleeves and continue the fight to which we are all committed.”
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Wornie Reed is Professor of Sociology and Africana Studies and Director of the Race and Social Policy Research Center at Virginia Tech University. Previously he developed and directed the Urban Child Research Center in the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University (1991-2001), where he was also Professor of Sociology and Urban Studies (1991-2004). He was Adjunct Professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (2003-4). Professor Reed served a three-year term (1990-92) as President of the National Congress of Black Faculty, and he is past president of the National Association of Black Sociologists (2000-01).
This column first appeared online at What the Data Say and is shared here by permission.
