Sign in

Chris Towler

@blkprofcct.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.1K following 560 posts

Associate Professor | Political Science & Black Studies Now: Director Black Voter Project (BVP) Editor-in-Chief Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics

PostsRepliesMedia
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
With a sample of ~330+ Black voters (estimated 21% of Dem primary voters w/N=1600 survey), Crockett clearly dominates among both Black men & women. A good # of Black voters (47%) still don’t know much about Talarico, but he’s gonna have to match Crockett’s fire to win them over.
121
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
This is the message RIGHT HERE! The #BlackVoterProject has tested messages about Trump as racist & anti-Black for YEARS. And, guess what, those messages work & are POWERFUL (esp w/Black people who are the targets)! So, although polls right now have small samples, no surprise at her Black voter #s.
041
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
The “we” is doing A LOT of work here as it’s clear *certain* groups are less ready than others (race + gender matters too). In 2022 #BlackVoterProject research found that - while gender wasn’t the most important characteristic, behind race & age - Black voters actually PREFERRED a woman candidate.
040
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Data from the #BlkVoterProject shows the majority (56%) of Black people have an overall negative view of Trump’s immigration/deportation policy & it’s even more negative if deporting citizens (64%). Plus, Black people generally view immigrants in a positive way - especially if they’re Black!
064
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Having already banged out 80% of #Project2025, the Heritage Foundation is already moving toward #Project2026 & (spoiler) it doesn’t get any better w/policy like: - National Voting Policy: voter ID & proof of citizenship - Federal abortion ban - Persecution of those critical of US
010
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Black voters have her up EIGHTY-NINE TO EIGHT!!! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Black voters want Black representation - especially Black reps who will stand up and fight for their community, which (right now) means fighting against Trump.
001
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Here’s the deal: if you believe you beat the GOP by mobilizing low-propensity Dem voters than Crockett is clearly the candidate; if you believe you win by convincing Texans who regularly vote Republican to cross over and vote Dem in 2026, then it’s Talarico. Pick your poison…
010
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
This made me laugh out loud 😭😭😭
000
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Dems need to figure out how to build Black voter confidence in the party AND quick. Confidence was building w/Harris but lost steam w/her loss. And, just when Dems seem to have grown a backbone w/the shutdown - something Black voters have been begging for, they now must to find another way.
020
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Moreover, as I’ve made clear, Black people want a Black candidate. But we also asked Black people what their issues priorities are for 2028 & after (1) inflation/(2) economy, the issues are a bit different than other groups as they value: (3) Health care, (4) Civil Rights, (5) Crime, & (6) Housing.
050
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Looking back, the #BlackVoterProject asked Black people their top issue priorities before the 2024 election…and while they emphasized the economy & healthcare, they ALSO prioritized civil rights/reproductive rights AND there were noticeable differences within the Black community itself!
030
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
All the calls to #AbolishICE aren’t looking so crazy now…
060
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
More than ironic that Latino Trump approval has plummeted in this new CNN poll - Latinos are looking more like Black voters 🤔 One thing is for certain, Black approval never increased much at all as Black people easily saw through Trump/MAGA’s thinly veiled racism from the start.
051
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
While ZERO percent of Black voters is crazy work (curious about the sample here) this reflects Black sentiments going all the way back to the 2020 Presidential Primary where 2/3 of Black people didn’t think Buttigieg addressed issues pertaining to the Black community well at all. Little has changed…
132
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
We’re quickly returning to an era where citizenship was equivalent to “whiteness.” And, even then, it will be depend on the perception of those in power as the SC already has precedent ruling Asian Indians ineligible for citizenship despite their Caucasian ancestry bc they didn’t fit perceptions.
021
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
I still believe the talk of “Trump fatigue” was total bs & against actual research - esp for Black voters. Biden/Harris campaign should’ve hammered home the threat Trump represented non-stop. Black turnout may have been different. I’m NOT talking about the ambiguous “threat to democracy” rhetoric…
161
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
“I will not be complicit in so grave an attack on our system of law, I dissent.” Pretty sure I’ll be teaching Sotomayor’s words for the next few decades…
0113
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
So, to rehash the last 2 months: - No Kings protest - Assassination of sitting state Senator & husband - Attempted assassination of state Senator & wife - Military style Trump parade - LA & NY fighting ICE - National guard & marines deployed - Bomb Iran Yeah, SCOTUS saw an opportunity & took it.
261
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
For anyone wondering how to close the gap…get young Black voters (esp men) out to vote at much higher rates (which will take a ton of time & $ that’s hard to find when mobilizing Black voters). Hard to convince older gen to listen to young folks if they think they’re not voting in the first place.
051
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
This even goes for white Dems. Although they’re more liberal on a few issues, like immigration, Black Dems consistently prioritize issues of social progress much more than white Dems (i.e. race issues, crime, educ...) & often hold the MOST progressive attitudes on equality/equity in the U.S.
072
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
When #BlackVoterProject asked Black people who they want to as future Dem candidates they are ready & willing to get behind young, bright Black politicians. The blueprint is there for Dems to win elections where Black people can make a difference, they just need to elevate their bright young talent.
042
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
It’s CRAZY to me how its’s clear that Dems really need to talk to young Black men…but there’s NOTHING in this analysis that actually gives them a voice or speaks directly to them. We need studies specifically focused on Black men - ideally by Black researchers - to really make any inroads here.
021
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
Wanna know how to depress Black political enthusiasm even further? This is it… As expected, 11% of Black people rated Trump highly favorable in a post-election #BlackVoterProject. When asked about Musk, he received the EXACT SAME amount of support (or lack thereof) - only 11% rated him fav as well.
000
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
It’s important to note that, although Black people consider reparations important, they’re less fav than other policies, like voting rights & police reform. When asked, many don’t believe reparations will happen in their lifetime - but that view could change if policies like Nichols’ prevail.
000
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
The Trump Admin wants to put as much pressure on Sanctuary cities/states as possible, forcing them to make a decision about whether or not they will actually stand down…or help ICE efforts. If they resist, it gives even more reason to stop fed aid (plus the more militarization the better for Trump).
000
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Hiring immediately in the Sacramento area. Great benefits & even better people!!! referrals.sevitahealth.com/newreferral/...
000
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Nothing too surprising in the new Cook report: Why Harris Lost. What continues to stand out for me far more than any shifts in Black support, is the # of low-propensity & new voters that Dems failed to turnout. (I’m sure the #s for Black voters are even worse…) www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/nat...
001
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
This is EXACTLY what I’m talking about 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽
053
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
So since this shit still gets attention…If we’re talking about a representative 1,000 sample, that’s a useless ~120 Black people TOTAL. Meaning, we’re drawing conclusions from the answers of roughly 25 Black people who are likely wealthier, more conservative outliers (not to mention the +/-10% MoE).
010
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Anyone who says sexism didn’t play a central role in this past election is in complete & utter denial. (And btw social scientists could make a very strong scientific case about the role of sexism in the 2024 election, we just haven’t had anyone do it yet)
081
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
It’s annoying how little is said about the way Harris dramatically pulled the Democratic Party out of a historic landslide lost. Even among Black voters, who are ALWAYS the Democrats most ardent supporters, Harris led to major gains in BOTH support & turnout across EVERY SINGLE demographic group.
34815
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
MAGA arguing that the amount of brown immigrants coming to the U.S. constitutes an invasion while, at the same time, making plans to bring in new white immigrants sounds about right…
020
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
This is a bold face lie building on the misinformation campaign that started during the campaign. Compared to 2020, Black voters did NOT move to Trump & 12% is NOT a “very high amount.” This lie going unchallenged only builds apathy among [Black] voters who don’t know any better.
113
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
It’s so sad how much of the mainstream political conversation we see with Black men is so ahistorical & ass backwards. What’s worse, those watching this probably don’t follow/engage politics often but use these fools (just like Charlemagne) to decide who to vote for or if they should vote period.
100
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
This is also reflected in the changing partisanship among younger Black Americans, who are now 1-2 gen removed from the CRM & don’t have the same strong ties to the Dems - or party politics in general. It’s going to take a much greater effort w/different strategies to get Black youth (re)engaged.
000
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
So, in other words: Shedeur did everything he needed to and we really liked him but other “forces” kept us from drafting him…
000
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
One part of the EO that is flying under the radar is that the order attempts to create a cadre of lawyers & legal firms beholden to Trump that will defend officers actions in court across the country. Plus, it takes all these legal firms off the table for those looking to sue law enforcement…
000
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Hmmm 🤔 if that were the case…I’ve never seen a 5th round back-up QB featured right alongside the teams #5 pick… I think we all know what’s going on here: the league wanted to knock Shedeur down a notch, but the Brown’s owner couldn’t pass up the opportunity to exploit & cash in on Sanders either.
111
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
America is quickly becoming Trump’s 7th bankruptcy.
031
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Some say the authoritarian action of Trump during his second term were foreshadowed by the Jan. 6th Capitol Riots against American democracy. One things for sure, we can a lot about politics by studying this moment. Out now: JREP Special Issue: Race & Jan. 6th! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
060
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
And, to the naysayers who will argue that it won’t really matter, or it’ll hurt the GOP more, there are dozens of elections each year decided by a handful of voters, and over time, these restrictions make a difference. There’s a reason why we had a “lily white” era of American Southern politics.
020
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
If Dems are looking for ways to keep Black voters engaged, or re-engage them entirely, they’d be wise to not just move on from Trump’s attacks on DEI & the obvious examples of racism. Even w/limited data, it’s clear that these issues are important & matter MORE to Black people & can’t be ignored.
172
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Democrats better be careful here, esp if they have their sights on a larger role in the national party (i.e. President/VP), as that goes through Black voters. The latest YouGov/Economist polling (albeit w/limited Black sample; N=229) shows Black voters are unique in their hate for Trump’s tariffs.
020
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Guess who economic uncertainty hurts the most? Those who feel the tightness of their budget every day. Others make tons of money. Polling shows Black Americans are less likely to “Definitely” have enough to pay the bills every month, while more likely to say income inequality is a serious problem…
1194
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
If anyone at #MPSA is interesting in discussing publishing in #JREP (or just wants to say hi 👋🏽), I’m currently in the Event Hall at the book fair this morning. Please stop on by!
051
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
So, let me get this straight… Literally offering prize money to voters in the WI election is legal, but handing out water bottles to voters in line is illegal and election interference??? I don’t think anyone can make this make sense.
194
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Ask Black people how many MAGA Republicans they can have a conversation w/about dismantling DEI, erasing Black history, re-segregating industries, and undoing decades of racial progress. There’s not much to talk about. Just like w/Sanders, progressives should follow the lead of Black voters here…
072
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Not too surprising that Black Trump supporters (a VERY small portion of the electorate) remain steadfast in their support - we already knew not much will deter his base (even Black Republicans). I do find it interesting they’re still looking for “stimulus” checks as a reason for their support 😂😂😂
030
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Here’s another think piece that settles on a Rahm Emanuel quote suggesting that the path forward is to focus on true “Americans” rather than cultural interests such as “woke, DEI, abortion” - all issues that Black people tend to rank higher priority than everyone else…🤷🏽‍♂️ www.axios.com/2025/03/24/d...
11424
Chris Towler @blkprofcct.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
It’s crazy to me how these think pieces about Dems strategy ignores reliable data on Black voters -the heart of the party. For example, moderating on policing/crime & DEI is a death wish w/Black voters while most don’t care about immigration & trans rights at all. www.noahpinion.blog/p/dems-need-...
141