In Dallas, T.W. Shannon, a former Oklahoma state House Speaker, shares thoughts on the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Shannon, previously involved in the Trump administration, now aims for the Republican lieutenant governor position in Oklahoma.
Shannon highlights how the Republican Party, under Donald Trump, gained momentum among Black voters. A Fox News Voter Analysis revealed that Trump secured 16% of the Black vote in 2024, almost doubling his previous performance.
Shannon attributes this shift to Republican policies and what he perceives as the Democratic Party’s leftward movement. He emphasizes job creation and reduced crime rates during Trump’s administration as beneficial changes for Black communities.
You see Democrats competing for the Black vote now. That was rarely seen before, as it was taken for granted,Shannon remarked in an interview.
He criticized Democratic figures supported by the Democratic Socialists of America, noting proposals like raising taxes and disbanding the police as unappealing to Black voters.
In response, a Democratic National Committee spokesperson argued that Black Americans would oppose what they described as Trump’s pro-billionaire agenda. The DNC claims to invest significant resources in registering and mobilizing Black voters, focusing on protecting civil and voting rights.
Shannon, a notable political figure as the first African American House speaker of Oklahoma and a member of the Chickasaw Nation, expressed confidence in winning the Oklahoma election. He values opportunities to speak on national platforms about the state and country.