BLACK WOMEN
AND THE
2026 MIDTERMS
Power, priorities and the path to November
Leadership briefing • September 2026
A shifting contest, with no guarantee
Source: Sosnik, September 24, 2026, pp. 2–3, 8–10
02
11 points
reported swing toward Democrats
since the 2024 election
37
competitive House races
in the memo’s assessment
The memo sees momentum, while polarization and Republican fundraising remain constraints.
Black women have widened the field
Source: SLSV, Amplify. Advance. Expand, pp. 4, 9
03
More than 1,200
Black women ran for office in 2024, according to SLSV’s tracking.
3.7%
of all candidates
6.2%
of those elected
2024 also elected Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks, the first two Black women to serve in the U.S. Senate at the same time.
The 2025 vote showed Black women’s influence
Source: SLSV, She Led. She Voted. She Won, p. 12
04
96%
of Black women voters supported
the winning candidates in Virginia’s
marquee contests
95%
of Black women voters backed
the winning candidate in New Jersey
Exit polls describe vote choice in these races, not turnout.
Black voters shape the whole ballot
Source: SLSV, She Led. She Voted. She Won, pp. 11, 13
05
92%
of Black women voters backed the Harris ticket in the 2024 presidential exit poll
89%
of Black women voters backed California Proposition 50 in the 2025 exit poll
The same California poll reported 93% support among Black men.
Affordability reaches every policy conversation
Sources: Sosnik, pp. 5–7; SLSV, She Led. She Voted. She Won, p. 4
06
73%
rated the economy
fair or poor in the
Times poll cited in the memo
71%
disapproved of Trump’s
handling of inflation in
that poll
Black women’s 2025 agenda connected affordable living to health care, food, housing and jobs.
Congress turns on a small net shift
Source: Sosnik, September 24, 2026, pp. 9–10
07
HOUSE
+3 seats
needed for Democratic control
SENATE
+4 seats
needed under the memo’s assumption
Republicans held 16 of 21 House toss-ups and 7 of 9 competitive Senate seats in this September assessment.
The voting window is already open
Source: Sosnik, September 24, 2026, pp. 11–12
08
Nearly 60%
of 2024 voters cast ballots before Election Day, according to the memo.
Midterm turnout runs 15–20% below presidential years in the memo’s account.
The practical question: who has a verified voting plan in each community?
The leadership agenda for the closing stretch
Sources: SLSV, Amplify. Advance. Expand, p. 5; She Led. She Voted. She Won, pp. 4, 8; Sosnik, pp. 11–12
09
01
Listen and name the stakes
Put community concerns about costs, care, housing and jobs into plain language.
02
Make voting plans specific
Share verified local voting options and help people plan when and how to cast a ballot.
03
Invest in Black women’s leadership
Resource candidates’ visibility, volunteers and accurate information. Track the governing agenda after November.
A real plan to vote
Action guidance informed by Sosnik, September 24, 2026, pp. 11–12
10
01
Check yourself
Confirm your registration at winwithblackwomen.org.
02
Check your people
Send this text “Protect your power, check your voter registration at winwithblackwomen.org
03
Make sure everyone has a “real” plan
Name the day, time and voting method. Solve the ride or care gap. Have a backup.