After GOP candidates bail on Iowa’s Brown & Black presidential forum, organizers turn to polling voters of color

One of the nation’s oldest presidential forums based in Iowa is turning its attention to polling Brown and Black voters after Republicans chose not to participate in the forum for Republican candidates, leading to its cancellation. 

Wayne Ford, co-founder of the Brown & Black Forums of America, said all presidential candidates, Democrats and Republicans, who attend the Iowa caucuses have been invited to participate in the organization’s debate/forum since the organization was founded in 1984, but Republicans have never participated. Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama and a long list of Democrats have participated in the forum since its inception.

In 2016, the Republican forum was canceled because the presidential candidates “pulled out to attend a fundraiser,” Ford said. The 2024 Republican Presidential forum was canceled due to low turnout, Ford said.

“I was eager for them to come to our forum so we can ask some of those questions that have made us an iconic, Emmy-award winning forum,” said Ford, a former Iowa legislator.   

On Oct. 10, forum organizers sent email invitations to the campaigns of GOP hopefuls. Republican Ryan Binkley, of Texas, was the only candidate who agreed to attend the forum, which was slated for Jan. 13, in Des Moines. The event would have occurred just days before the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 15, which coincides with Monday’s federal King holiday and the birthday of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. 

“I do wish the GOP would’ve attended to make a statement about how their agenda will impact people of color . . . perhaps their refusal to attend did make a statement,” wrote Diyonda Avant, a small business owner, on Black Iowa News’ Facebook page.

With Iowa in the national spotlight, Ford appeared on national Black journalist Roland Martin’s Unfiltered show on Jan. 9, to discuss the forum’s cancellation. Panelists explored what Republicans’ failure to attend means. 

“I’ll say this here, Wayne, I totally get (it) because they’re not showing up, but frankly I would still have a conversation, discussion and have some empty podiums because the issues still matter to our people,” Martin said during the broadcast. “They should be embarrassed for not showing up. And yes, we’re not talking about a large percentage of Black and Brown people in Iowa, but this also speaks broadly: If they won’t show up for something going back to 1984, then frankly, they don’t give a damn about us in other states as well.” 

Opinion research 

Ford and co-founder Mary Campos said they remain committed to ensuring Brown and Black voices are heard despite the forum cancellation. They plan to hold voter education projects, podcasts and activities nationally before Super Tuesday, when 16 states have their presidential nominating contests, on March 5 — through the election on Nov. 5, and beyond, Ford said. Organizers have also discussed creating a minority poll with Howard University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU), which Ford said is needed.

“I think it’s important because in certain states, we’re key players in terms of the Black vote in determining the election,” said Terri Adams, director of the Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion. “So it’s important to understand where we’re thinking.”

She said she spoke with Ford about “doing some polling specifically for Iowa.” They also discussed asking church congregants and the members of other organizations to complete surveys.

In 2016, Howard and the National Newspaper Publishers Association developed the National Black Voter Poll for communities of color. The poll was the first national-level scientific study focused exclusively on voters who identify as African American, Afro-Hispanic or other Black identity, according to organizers. In that sample, just 10% of Black respondents said they were willing to vote for former President Donald Trump, said Adams. 

“Where people are claiming that young Black males are going to go for Trump, I’ll believe it when I see it in my own data,” she said. 

Adams said it’s a critical time in the election cycle and history. 

“Democracy is on the line, and it’s important for people to have an understanding of how all segments of the population are thinking and what’s important to them in regards to politics and how we live our lives and how we want to move forward in the future,” she said. 

That’s where data come in.

“We’re taking the steps necessary to collect data to reflect on what people are thinking in our own communities so that we can provide the information to the public, and so politicians and policymakers can become more aware of what our needs are,” she said. 

The forum seeks to focus global attention on the issues facing Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and others. The nonpartisan organization seeks to bridge gaps in the voting process and mobilize and motivate voters to engage in political processes. The organization prioritizes five pillars, which include criminal justice, immigration, education, economic development and health. 

Editor’s Note: CLARIFICATION: This story was updated to clarify that Republicans who attend the Iowa caucuses have always been invited to participate in the presidential forum held by the Brown & Black Forums of America, per Ford. 1/11/2024.