We’re at a point where black voters need to start looking past the hype and start judging leaders by what they do, not just what they look like. Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, is being talked about as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. That’s big. But what does it really mean?
We’ve seen the black vote swing in ways that surprise some folks. Obama got almost 96% of the black vote in 2008; that’s a landslide. But politics are shifting. In recent years, support for candidates has become less about race and more about who’s got real plans and real results.
Take Vice President JD Vance. He’s an Ohio guy, a conservative, and he’s proven he can lead. He’s not just talking; he’s making moves and delivering results. He’s about fixing problems, not just pandering. That’s the kind of leadership we need. Vance isn’t trying to be the “black candidate” or the “white candidate” — he’s just about doing the job.
Wes Moore? He’s got talent, no doubt. But if he’s only riding the wave of being a black leader without showing the substance, without a clear plan to improve schools, create jobs, and keep communities safe, then what’s the point? We don’t need a black figurehead; we need leaders who get results.
And let’s be real: Black voters are starting to see through the politics of identity. They’re asking, “Who’s really working for us? Who’s got a plan that benefits my family?” It’s about the content of the character, not just the color of the skin.
I respect leaders like Ron DeSantis, Glenn Youngkin, Kristi Noem, and Greg Abbott. They’re governors (Noem a former one) who get their hands dirty and deliver results. That’s what leadership looks like. And if Wes Moore can step up and show he’s about action, not just symbolism, then he’s got a shot. But if he’s just another black face in politics, spare us.
The bottom line: Black voters are waking up. They want leaders who stand for something real. They want to see results, not just rhetoric. And if we’re honest, that’s the kind of leadership that’ll finally shift the game, regardless of race.
It’s not about being the “first” anymore. It’s about being the best. And the best leaders, black or white, are those who put their communities first and get real results.
