Two days before the Iowa caucuses, Hillary Clinton’s campaign announced the endorsement of more than two dozen African-American ministers from around the country.
The Democratic front-runner met with African-American faith leaders in Philadelphia on Wednesday and discussed issues including women’s health, the economy, the Flint water crisis and criminal justice. She attended a private fundraiser in South Philadelphia afterwards.
“When I agreed to host the small gathering of African American clergy from around the country, I wasn’t expecting to endorse Hillary Clinton,” Rev. Mark Tyler of Pennsylvania, on the 28 ministers to announce support for Clinton, said in a statement. “I left that meeting convinced that she is the best person in this campaign season capable of serving as our next president. I believe that she is ready to lead and has all the requisite abilities.”
Tyler said Clinton’s plans for investing in historically black colleges and breaking down barriers for women helped sway his decision, along with her talk on economic disparity and funding public education.
“I’m supporting Hillary Clinton not because of the symbolism of her potentially being the first female president, but because she is qualified and equipped to do the job and represent ALL Americans regardless of religion or color,” said another faith leader, Rev. Zina Pierre of Maryland.
The endorsements may not have much of an impact on the results of the early-voting contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, where the black populations are relatively small. But nationally, Clinton’s chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders, is struggling to secure support from African-American voters. Saturday’s announcement is the latest sign of the advantage Clinton holds in more diverse primary states.
