There are notable exceptions. L. Douglas Wilder was elected Virginia governor, shattering the race barrier that Bradley never overcame. Illinois voters sent Carol Moseley Braun to the U.S. Senate. But the strength of numbers has been instrumental to black success, particularly in the South, home to the nation's biggest black population and the greatest number of African American officeholders. With a continued influx of African Americans, blacks can count on gaining even more strength in the South in the years to come.
Population is just part of the reason.
Even as Latinos and Asian Americans have increased their numbers, African Americans have left traditional strongholds in and around Los Angeles, Oakland and Berkeley. But their hold on power will probably be more tenuous, because most of the incumbents' districts have lost significant black population over the last decade. If blacks hope to stem their losses, they will have to emulate that cross-over success. But Latino candidates may enjoy an advantage when it comes to winning support from whites, who are still the majority of California voters. We have Cinco de Mayo grocery store decorations.