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List of African-American United States presidential and vice presidential candidates facts for kids

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In 1848, Frederick Douglass became the first African-American presidential candidate of the US. His candidacy largely preceded black suffrage and coincided with legal slavery in the U.S.
In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American presidential candidate nominated by a major party, namely the Democrats. He was the first African-American to be elected (and re-elected) president of the United States.
In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first African-American, first female, and first Indian-American vice president of the United States.

The following is a list of African-American United States presidential and vice presidential nominees and candidates for nomination. Nominees are candidates nominated or otherwise selected by political parties for particular offices. Listed are those African-Americans who achieved ballot access for the national election in at least one state. They may have won the nomination of one of the US political parties (either one of the major parties, or one of the third parties), or made the ballot as an independent, and in either case must have votes in the election to qualify for this list. Exception is made for candidates whose parties lost ballot status for additional runs.

Not included in the first and second sections are African-Americans who ran unsuccessful campaigns in nominating conventions or primary elections for their party's nomination (or who have not yet completed that process), write-in candidates, potential candidates (suggested by media, objects of draft movements, etc.), or fictional candidates. The third section includes African-Americans who ran for their party's presidential nomination but who were not nominated, as well as those who are currently pursuing their party's presidential nomination (when applicable).

There have been two African Americans on major party tickets in U.S. history: Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2020.

Barack Obama was the first African American and first biracial president of the United States, being elected in the 2008 election and re-elected in the 2012 election.

Kamala Harris became the first African American vice president of the United States of America, being elected in the 2020 election alongside President Joe Biden. She is also the first female vice president. She is the second biracial vice president, the first being Charles Curtis.

U.S. presidential candidates: party nominees

dagger Denotes winning candidate.

Candidates receiving electoral votes

African-American presidential nominees, showing running mate and electoral votes received
Year Name Party Running mate Popular votes Electoral votes
received/total
Opponent
2008dagger Obama, BarackBarack Obama Democratic Party Biden, JoeJoe Biden &&&&&&&069498215.&&&&&069,498,215 &&&&&&&&&&&&0365.&&&&&0365/538 John McCain
2012dagger Obama, BarackBarack Obama Democratic Party Biden, JoeJoe Biden &&&&&&&065915796.&&&&&065,915,796 &&&&&&&&&&&&0332.&&&&&0332/538 Mitt Romney
2016 Powell, ColinColin Powell Not applicable Not applicable &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03/538

Candidates receiving popular votes

African-American presidential nominees, showing running mate and popular votes received
Year Name Party Running mate Popular votes
1904 Taylor, George EdwinGeorge Edwin Taylor National Liberty Party W.C. Payne Scattering
1960 King, ClennonClennon King Independent Afro-American Party Carter, ReginaldReginald Carter &&&&&&&&&&&01485.&&&&&01,485
1964 DeBerry, CliftonClifton DeBerry Socialist Workers Party Shaw, EdEd Shaw &&&&&&&&&&032706.&&&&&032,706
1968 Cleaver, EldridgeEldridge Cleaver Peace and Freedom Party Various candidates &&&&&&&&&&036623.&&&&&036,623
1968 Gregory, DickDick Gregory Freedom and Peace Party Various candidates &&&&&&&&&&047097.&&&&&047,097
1968 Mitchell, CharleneCharlene Mitchell Communist Party Zagarell, MichaelMichael Zagarell &&&&&&&&&&&01076.&&&&&01,076
1976 Wright, MargaretMargaret Wright People's Party Spock, BenjaminBenjamin Spock &&&&&&&&&&049013.&&&&&049,013
1980 DeBerry, CliftonClifton DeBerry Socialist Workers Party Zimmermann, MatildeMatilde Zimmermann &&&&&&&&&&038738.&&&&&038,738
1980 Pulley, AndrewAndrew Pulley Socialist Workers Party Zimmermann, MatildeMatilde Zimmermann &&&&&&&&&&&06264.&&&&&06,264
1984 Holmes, LarryLarry Holmes Workers World Party La Riva, GloriaGloria La Riva &&&&&&&&&&017985.&&&&&017,985
1984 Serrette, Dennis L.Dennis L. Serrette New Alliance Party Ross, NancyNancy Ross &&&&&&&&&&046853.&&&&&046,853
1984 Winn, EdwardEdward Winn Socialist Equality Party Halyard, HelenHelen Halyard &&&&&&&&&&010801.&&&&&010,801
1988 Fulani, LenoraLenora Fulani New Alliance Party Dattner, JoyceJoyce Dattner &&&&&&&&&0217219.&&&&&0217,219
1988 Holmes, LarryLarry Holmes Workers World Party La Riva, GloriaGloria La Riva &&&&&&&&&&&07846.&&&&&07,846
1988 Warren, JamesJames Warren Socialist Workers Party Mickells, KathleenKathleen Mickells &&&&&&&&&&015602.&&&&&015,602
1988 Winn, EdwardEdward Winn Socialist Equality Party Halyard, HelenHelen Halyard &&&&&&&&&&018693.&&&&&018,693
1992 Daniels, RonaldRonald Daniels Peace and Freedom Party Tupahache, AsibaAsiba Tupahache &&&&&&&&&&027949.&&&&&027,949
1992 Fulani, LenoraLenora Fulani New Alliance Party Muñoz, Maria ElizabethMaria Elizabeth Muñoz &&&&&&&&&&073714.&&&&&073,714
1992 Halyard, HelenHelen Halyard Workers League Mazelis, FredFred Mazelis &&&&&&&&&&&03050.&&&&&03,050
1992 Masters, IsabellIsabell Masters Looking Back Party Masters, WalterWalter Masters &&&&&&&&&&&&0327.&&&&&0327
1992 Warren, JamesJames Warren Socialist Workers Party Various candidates &&&&&&&&&&023533.&&&&&023,533
1996 Harris, JamesJames Harris Socialist Workers Party Garza, LauraLaura Garza &&&&&&&&&&&08476.&&&&&08,476
1996 Moorehead, MonicaMonica Moorehead Workers World Party La Riva, GloriaGloria La Riva &&&&&&&&&&029083.&&&&&029,083
1996 Masters, IsabellIsabell Masters Looking Back Party Masters, Shirley JeanShirley Jean Masters &&&&&&&&&&&&0752.&&&&&0752
2000 Harris, JamesJames Harris Socialist Workers Party Trowe, MargaretMargaret Trowe &&&&&&&&&&&07038.&&&&&07,038
2000 Moorehead, MonicaMonica Moorehead Workers World Party La Riva, GloriaGloria La Riva &&&&&&&&&&&04795.&&&&&04,795
2000 Randall A. Venson Independent Kelly, GeneGene Kelly &&&&&&&&&&&&0547.&&&&&0547
2004 Harris, JamesJames Harris Socialist Workers Party Trowe, MargaretMargaret Trowe &&&&&&&&&&&07102.&&&&&07,102
2004 Parker, JohnJohn Parker Workers World Party Gutierrez, TeresaTeresa Gutierrez &&&&&&&&&&&01646.&&&&&01,646
2008 Harris, JamesJames Harris Socialist Workers Party Kennedy, AlysonAlyson Kennedy &&&&&&&&&&&02424.&&&&&02,424
2008 Keyes, AlanAlan Keyes America's Independent Party Rohrbough, BrianBrian Rohrbough &&&&&&&&&&047756.&&&&&047,756
2008 McKinney, CynthiaCynthia McKinney Green Party Clemente, RosaRosa Clemente &&&&&&&&&0150061.&&&&&0150,061
2008dagger Obama, BarackBarack Obama Democratic Party Biden, JoeJoe Biden &&&&&&&069498215.&&&&&069,498,215
2012 Alexander, StewartStewart Alexander Socialist Party Mendoza, AlejandroAlejandro Mendoza &&&&&&&&&&&04405.&&&&&04,405
2012 Barnett, AndreAndre Barnett Reform Party Ken Cross &&&&&&&&&&&&0956.&&&&&0956
2012 Harris, JamesJames Harris Socialist Workers Party DeLuca, MauraMaura DeLuca &&&&&&&&&&&04117.&&&&&04,117
2012 Lindsay, PetaPeta Lindsay Party for Socialism and Liberation Osorio, YariYari Osorio &&&&&&&&&&&07791.&&&&&07,791
2012dagger Obama, BarackBarack Obama Democratic Party Biden, JoeJoe Biden &&&&&&&065915796.&&&&&065,915,796
2016 Moorehead, MonicaMonica Moorehead Workers World Party Lilly, LamontLamont Lilly &&&&&&&&&&&04314.&&&&&04,314
2016 Jacob-Fambro, KhadijahKhadijah Jacob-Fambro Revolutionary Party Fambro, MiltonMilton Fambro &&&&&&&&&&&&0748.&&&&&0748
2016 Clifton Roberts Humane Party Breeze Harper &&&&&&&&&&&&&086.&&&&&086
2020 Boddie, President R19President R19 Boddie C.U.P. Stoneham, EricEric Stoneham &&&&&&&&&&&03177.&&&&&03,177
2020 Hunter, DarioDario Hunter Oregon Progressive Party Adams, Dawn NeptuneDawn Neptune Adams &&&&&&&&&&&05403.&&&&&05,403
2020 Jacob-Fambro, Princess KhadijahPrincess Khadijah Jacob-Fambro Unaffiliated Jacob, Khadijah M.Khadijah M. Jacob 497
2020 King, Ricki SueRicki Sue King Genealogy Know Your Family History Chandler, Dayna R.Dayna R. Chandler 546
2020 Simmons, JadeJade Simmons Independent Roze, ClaudeliahClaudeliah Roze &&&&&&&&&&&06958.&&&&&06,958
2020 West, KanyeKanye West NA Tidball, MichelleMichelle Tidball &&&&&&&&&&070294.&&&&&070,294

U.S. vice presidential candidates: party nominees

dagger Denotes winning candidate.

Candidates receiving electoral votes

Until the 2020 presidential election, no African-American candidates had received electoral votes for vice president.

African-American vice presidential nominees of major parties, showing running mate and votes received
Year Name Party Running mate Electoral votes
received/total
Popular votes Opponent
2020 Kamala Harris Democratic Party Joe Biden 306/538 81,268,867 Mike Pence

Candidates receiving popular votes

African-American vice presidential nominees, showing running mate and popular votes received
Year Name Party Running mate Popular votes
1872 Douglass, FrederickFrederick Douglass Equal Rights Party Woodhull, VictoriaVictoria Woodhull Unreported
1928 Simon P. Drew Interracial Independent Party Coxey, Jacob S.Jacob S. Coxey
1932 Ford, James W.James W. Ford Communist Party Foster, William Z.William Z. Foster 102,991
1936 Ford, James W.James W. Ford Communist Party Browder, EarlEarl Browder 80,195
1940 Ford, James W.James W. Ford Communist Party Browder, EarlEarl Browder
1952 Bass, CharlottaCharlotta Bass Progressive Party Hallinan, VincentVincent Hallinan 140,023
1968 Boutelle, PaulPaul Boutelle Socialist Workers Party Halstead, FredFred Halstead
1972 Hobson, JuliusJulius Hobson People's Party Spock, BenjaminBenjamin Spock 78,759
1972 Tyner, JarvisJarvis Tyner Communist Party Hall, GusGus Hall
1976 Reid, Willie MaeWillie Mae Reid Socialist Workers Party Camejo, PeterPeter Camejo 90,986
1976 Tyner, JarvisJarvis Tyner Communist Party Hall, GusGus Hall
1980 Davis, AngelaAngela Davis Communist Party Hall, GusGus Hall 43,871
1984 Davis, AngelaAngela Davis Communist Party Hall, GusGus Hall 36,386
1984 Halyard, HelenHelen Halyard Socialist Equality Party Winn, EdwardEdward Winn 10,801
1988 Duren, B. KwakuB. Kwaku Duren New Alliance Party Fulani, LenoraLenora Fulani 31,180
1988 Halyard, HelenHelen Halyard Socialist Equality Party Winn, EdwardEdward Winn 18,693
1988 Mamie Moore New Alliance Party Fulani, LenoraLenora Fulani 26,487
1988 Rice, Florence M.Florence M. Rice Consumer Party McCarthy, EugeneEugene McCarthy 25,109
1992 Reid, Willie MaeWillie Mae Reid Socialist Workers Party Warren, James "Mac"James "Mac" Warren
1996 Masters, Shirley JeanShirley Jean Masters Looking Back Party Masters, IsabellIsabell Masters 752
2000 Foster, Ezola B.Ezola B. Foster Reform Party Buchanan, PatPat Buchanan 449,225
2004 Hawkins, ArrinArrin Hawkins Socialist Workers Party Calero, RógerRóger Calero 3,689
2004 Lawrence, JimJim Lawrence Socialist Equality Party Van Auken, BillBill Van Auken 1,857
2008 Alexander, StewartStewart Alexander Socialist Party Moore, BrianBrian Moore 7,315
2008 Puryear, EugeneEugene Puryear Party for Socialism and Liberation La Riva, GloriaGloria La Riva 7,478
2016 Baraka, AjamuAjamu Baraka Green Party Stein, JillJill Stein 1,457,044
2016 Hart, OsborneOsborne Hart Socialist Workers Party Kennedy, AlysonAlyson Kennedy 11,667
2016 Lilly, LamontLamont Lilly Workers World Party Moorehead, MonicaMonica Moorehead 4,003
2016 Puryear, EugeneEugene Puryear Peace and Freedom Party La Riva, GloriaGloria La Riva 43,445
2016 Walker, Angela NicoleAngela Nicole Walker Socialist Party USA Soltysik, MimiMimi Soltysik 2,579
2016 Fambro, MiltonMilton Fambro Revolutionary Party Jacob-Fambro, KhadijahKhadijah Jacob-Fambro 748
2016 Harper, BreezeBreeze Harper Humane Party Clifton Roberts 86
2020 Ballard, KarlaKarla Ballard Independent Pierce, BrockBrock Pierce 49,700
2020 Chandler, Dayna R.Dayna R. Chandler Genealogy Know Your Family History King, Ricki SueRicki Sue King
2020 Harris, KamalaKamala Harris Democratic Party Biden, JoeJoe Biden 81,268,867
2020 Jacob, Khadijah M.Khadijah M. Jacob Unaffiliated Jacob-Fambro, Princess KhadijahPrincess Khadijah Jacob-Fambro
2020 Jarrett, MalcolmMalcolm Jarrett Socialist Workers Party Kennedy, AlysonAlyson Kennedy 6,791
2020 McKinney, CynthiaCynthia McKinney Green Party of Alaska Ventura, JesseJesse Ventura 3,291
2020 Nixon, MelissaMelissa Nixon Independent Simmons, JadeJade Simmons 181
2020 Pope, RaechelleRaechelle Pope Independent Laboch, MichaelMichael Laboch
2020 Roze, ClaudeliahClaudeliah Roze Independent Simmons, JadeJade Simmons 6,777
2020 Walker, Angela NicoleAngela Nicole Walker Green Party and Socialist Party USA Hawkins, HowieHowie Hawkins 404,021
2020 Wallace, AdrianAdrian Wallace Independent Charles, MarkMark Charles 3,040
2020 West, KanyeKanye West American Independent Party De La Fuente, RockyRocky De La Fuente 60,160

U.S. president: other candidates for party nomination

Candidates who failed to receive their party's nomination (or who are currently campaigning for their party's nomination). Candidates who won the nomination belong in the above tables only.

African-American candidates who unsuccessfully sought presidential nomination
Year Name Party Details Nominee
1848 Douglass, FrederickFrederick Douglass Liberty Party 1 vote at national convention Smith, GerritGerrit Smith
1888 Douglass, FrederickFrederick Douglass Republican Party 1 vote at national convention Harrison, BenjaminBenjamin Harrison
1968 Phillips, Channing E.Channing E. Phillips Democratic Party 67.5 votes at national convention Humphrey, HubertHubert Humphrey
1972 Chisholm, ShirleyShirley Chisholm Democratic Party 152 votes at national convention McGovern, GeorgeGeorge McGovern
1972 Fauntroy, WalterWalter Fauntroy Democratic Party 1 vote at national convention; 21,217 votes (71.78%) and winner of Washington, D.C., primary
1976 Jordan, BarbaraBarbara Jordan Democratic Party 1 vote at national convention Carter, JimmyJimmy Carter
1976 Fauntroy, WalterWalter Fauntroy Democratic Party 10,149 votes (30.49%) (2nd place) in Washington, D.C. primary
1984 Jackson, JesseJesse Jackson Democratic Party 466 votes at national convention Mondale, WalterWalter Mondale
1988 Jackson, JesseJesse Jackson Democratic Party 1218.5 votes at national convention Dukakis, MichaelMichael Dukakis
1992 Wilder, DouglasDouglas Wilder Democratic Party Withdrew before Iowa caucuses Clinton, BillBill Clinton
1992 Keyes, AlanAlan Keyes Republican Party 1 vote at national convention. Keyes was the Republican candidate in the U.S. Senate election in Maryland at the time, and was not actively seeking the presidency in 1992. Bush, George H.W.George H.W. Bush
1996 Keyes, AlanAlan Keyes Republican Party 1 vote at national convention Dole, BobBob Dole
1996 Masters, IsabellIsabell Masters Republican Party 1052 votes (7th place) in Oklahoma primary
2000 Keyes, AlanAlan Keyes Republican Party 6 votes at national convention Bush, George W.George W. Bush
2000 Rocker, Angel JoyAngel Joy Rocker Republican Party 6 votes in Alabama straw poll
2004 Braun, Carol MoseleyCarol Moseley Braun Democratic Party Withdrew before Iowa caucuses Kerry, JohnJohn Kerry
2004 Sharpton, AlAl Sharpton Democratic Party Earned 26 delegates in 5 primaries and caucuses
2008 Keyes, AlanAlan Keyes Republican Party Keyes withdrew from Republican Party on April 15, 2008, but remained on the Republican ballot in several states. McCain, JohnJohn McCain
2008 Keyes, AlanAlan Keyes Constitution Party 125.7 votes (24.36%) (2nd place) at national convention. Baldwin, ChuckChuck Baldwin
2012 Cain, HermanHerman Cain Republican Party Withdrew on December 3, 2011. Romney, MittMitt Romney
2016 Wilson, WillieWillie Wilson Democratic Party Announced candidacy on June 1, 2015. Clinton, HillaryHillary Clinton
2016 John Fitzgerald Johnson Democratic Party Announced candidacy on August 23, 2015.
2016 Moyowasifza-Curry, SedinamSedinam Moyowasifza-Curry Green Party 14.5 votes (3rd place) at national convention Jill Stein
2016 Moorehead, MonicaMonica Moorehead Peace and Freedom Party 1,369 votes (30%) (2nd place) in California primary La Riva, GloriaGloria La Riva
2016 Carson, BenBen Carson Republican Party Announced candidacy on May 3, 2015. Withdrew on March 4, 2016. Earned 9 delegates. Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
2020 Booker, CoryCory Booker Democratic Party Withdrew before Iowa caucuses Biden, JoeJoe Biden
2020 Harris, KamalaKamala Harris Democratic Party Withdrew before Iowa caucuses. Harris later became the 2020 Democratic nominee for vice president.
2020 Messam, WayneWayne Messam Democratic Party Withdrew before Iowa caucuses
2020 Patrick, DevalDeval Patrick Democratic Party Announced candidacy on November 14, 2019. Withdrew on February 12, 2020.
2020 Moyowasifza-Curry, SedinamSedinam Moyowasifza-Curry Green Party 11.5 votes (3rd place) at national convention Howie Hawkins
2024 Elder, LarryLarry Elder Republican Party Announced Candidacy on April 20, 2023. Withdrew on October 26, 2023. TBD
2024 Hurd, WillWill Hurd Republican Party Announced Candidacy on June 22, 2023. Withdrew on October 9, 2023. TBD
2024 Scott, TimTim Scott Republican Party Announced Candidacy on May 22, 2023. Withdrew on November 12, 2023. TBD

U.S. vice president: other candidates for party nomination

African-American candidates who unsuccessfully sought vice presidential nomination
Year Name Party Details Nominee
1856 Douglass, FrederickFrederick Douglass Political Abolitionist McFarland, Samuel T.Samuel T. McFarland
1880 Bruce, BlancheBlanche Bruce Republican Party 8 votes at national convention Arthur, Chester A.Chester A. Arthur
1888 Bruce, BlancheBlanche Bruce Republican Party 11 votes at national convention Morton, Levi P.Levi P. Morton
1968 Bond, JulianJulian Bond Democratic Party 48.5 votes at national convention Muskie, EdmundEdmund Muskie
1972 Bond, JulianJulian Bond Democratic Party 1 vote at national convention Eagleton, ThomasThomas Eagleton
1972 Chisholm, ShirleyShirley Chisholm Democratic Party 20 votes at national convention Eagleton, ThomasThomas Eagleton
1972 Dellums, RonRon Dellums Democratic Party 4 votes at national convention Eagleton, ThomasThomas Eagleton
1976 Jordan, BarbaraBarbara Jordan Democratic Party 17 votes in national convention Mondale, WalterWalter Mondale
1980 Boozer, MelMel Boozer Democratic Party 49 votes in national convention Mondale, WalterWalter Mondale
2016 Sharpe, LarryLarry Sharpe Libertarian Party 264 votes in national convention (1st ballot); 409 votes in national convention (2nd ballot) William Weld
2016 Grayson, DerrickDerrick Grayson Libertarian Party 48 votes in national convention (1st ballot); 9 votes in national convention (2nd ballot)

See also

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