Bernie Sanders seeks elusive black voters in South Carolina

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' quest for the Democratic presidential nomination took him into the South over the weekend, with Sanders looking to make new inroads into a crucial constituency: black voters.

Sanders has tapped into liberal angst with front-runner Hillary Clinton and surged in the polls, but his crowds have been overwhelmingly white — including those greeting him during a two-day swing through South Carolina.

After clashes with “Black Lives Matter” activists, Sanders has adjusted his message to focus more on criminal justice reform and racial issues. He met with African-American community leaders, clergy and activists during his South Carolina debut.

Black voters make up the bulk of the Democratic primary electorate in South Carolina — a critical early primary state — Georgia and other Southern states. The Clintons have a deep well of support in the African-American community, where Sanders is less well known.

ExploreClick here for more on Sanders’ Southern strategy and what the Clinton campaign is doing in response.

About the Author

Daniel Malloy

Track the bills moving through Georgia Legislature

From tax cuts to social media restrictions, track the noteworthy bills Georgia lawmakers are discussing and see how close they are to passing.

Georgia’s new chief justice: ‘Do your part to defend the rule of law’

Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Nels Peterson used his swearing-in ceremony to deliver a full-throated defense of judicial independence.

Judge dismisses election security case but voices ‘concerns’ about Georgia’s voting computers

A federal judge has dismissed a long-running lawsuit that questioned whether Georgia's touchscreen voting system was safe and secure.

The Latest

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Track the bills moving through Georgia Legislature

Georgia’s new chief justice: ‘Do your part to defend the rule of law’

Atlantans find that respect wins in bridging the great political divide

Featured

Credit: Jenni Girtman

Mass layoffs underway at Atlanta-based CDC

Public health experts say the CDC cuts could represent generational damage to health research and the elimination of infectious diseases.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank discusses his hourlong phone call with Kirk Cousins

“I had a long and impactful conversation with him,” the Atlanta Falcons owner said at the NFL annual meeting on Tuesday.

Atlanta rapper Young Scooter died after cutting leg on wood fence, medical examiner says

New details still have investigators asking questions about the death of the rapper, who police say died after falling while running from officers responding to a 911 call.