Shifting Alliances: Are Black People Increasingly Identifying as Republican?

Author

Clamont C. Mack, CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeFollow

Date of Award

Fall 5-2-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

B.A. with honors

Honors Designation

yes

Program of Study

Political Science

Language

English

First Advisor

David Jones

Abstract

This paper investigates claims that Black Americans are increasingly aligning with the Republican Party. Drawing on theories of party identification and political realignment, I compare competing perspectives to determine appropriate indicators of realignment within the Black community. Using quantitative analysis across several datasets, I find a modest rise in Republican identification over the past decade, but a more pronounced decline in Democratic affiliation. These findings suggest not a realignment toward the Republican Party, but rather a dealignment from the Democratic Party. This challenges popular media narratives of realignment and instead points to growing political disengagement among Black Americans.

Recommended Citation

Mack, Clamont C., "Shifting Alliances: Are Black People Increasingly Identifying as Republican?" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/bb_etds/212