Democratic lawmakers are hoping to court Black voters this week at Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network Convention in New York. The annual event gives congressional lawmakers a chance to pitch Black voters ahead of November’s midterm elections. It also allows potential 2028 presidential candidates to build support with the key voting bloc, which often shapes the outcome of Democratic primaries.
Many of the day’s speakers took jabs at President Trump and his administration. Speakers argued that attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion undermine American values, and some vowed to stand firm in their policy positions. One said, “These aren’t foreign values. These are American values. And when you attack diversity, equity, and inclusion, you attack the United States of America.” Another declared, “And while I will work with anyone, I will bow to no one.” Others criticized corruption and accountability, with one speaker calling the sitting president “the most corrupt president in my lifetime.”
CBS News’ Fin Gómez, reporting from the convention, noted the gathering has drawn a large group of potential Democratic presidential contenders testing the waters for 2028. Gómez said Black voters’ priorities are shaping conversations on the convention floor. He pointed to shifts in recent elections — in 2020, former President Biden won roughly 92% of the Black vote while President Trump won about 8%. In 2024, Trump increased his share among Black voters, and Gómez said Republicans’ gains were driven in part by a focus on affordability and cost-of-living issues.
Attendees told reporters they want more attention to domestic concerns. “I think I want them to concentrate more on what are they going to do for the people, the U.S. citizens,” one attendee said. “That’s what’s really the issue. And the war is just taking away so much money from us, from the things that we have to deal with here.”
Gómez said the convention is an early stage for prospective 2028 candidates — a place to build support without formally declaring a run, which would trigger Federal Election Commission reporting rules. Campaigns told him they expect to make definitive decisions about 2028 bids after the midterm elections.
Among those appearing at the convention were Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, and Arizona Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly. One of the biggest draws, Gómez reported, was former Vice President Kamala Harris, whom attendees told him many would like to see try again for the presidency; convention leaders and speakers were expected to watch closely as she addressed the crowd.