Black History

George Edwin Taylor: Black Politician an Early Candidate for U.S. Presidency

Throughout America’s history, the majority of its political force has been white. But African Americans had often been involved in supporting roles such as advisors, legislators, commentators, and voters.

Published

4 years ago

August 14, 2021

Christy Price

George Edwin Taylor/ Wikipedia.

It was early politicians such as George Edwin Taylor (1857–1925) who helped pave the long road to Barack Obama’s historic White House run. Born in the pre-Civil War South, Taylor would become the first African American selected by a political party to be its candidate for the presidency of the United States.
Taylor was born in Little Rock, Ark. He lost his mother at a young age and subsequently had to fend for himself. In 1865, he arrived in Wisconsin, where he was taken in by a Black family who lived near the town of La Crosse. They were politically active and supported Taylor’s education. He attended Wayland University in Beaver Dam (1877–1879).
After college, Taylor took a job at the La Crosse Free Press and later at the La Crosse Evening Star. He also produced newspaper columns for local papers and wrote articles for the Chicago Inter Ocean. These experiences led him into politics.
Taylor was specifically drawn to issues surrounding labor. He helped with the campaign to re-elect La Crosse’s pro-labor mayor and became a leader and office holder in Wisconsin’s statewide Union Labor Party. By then he’d started his own paper, the Wisconsin Labor Advocate, which became one of the newspapers of the party.
By 1887, Taylor had become a member of the Wisconsin delegation to the first national convention of the Union Labor Party. He then made national political issues the focus of his newspaper. As he became well known, race became an issue. His paper ceased publication around 1887 or 1888.
Three years later he relocated to Iowa where his political interests increased. He was first drawn to the Republican Party, then to the Democrats. Taylor started the newspaper Negro Solicitor and became president of the National Colored Men’s Protective Association and the National Negro Democratic League. He aligned himself with the Populist faction that attempted to reform the Democratic Party.
In 1904, he joined the first national political party created exclusively for and by Blacks: the National Liberty Party. That year, during the party’s national convention, its executive committee asked Taylor to be the party’s candidate for U.S. president.
Little attention was given to Taylor’s campaign despite the party’s platform having a national agenda. The Sun (1904) reported that Taylor “knew whites thought his candidacy was a joke,” but he believed that an independent political party that could mobilize the African-American vote was the “only practical way Blacks could exercise political influence.”
The 1904 campaign was Taylor’s last attempt to run for political office.
Taylor remained in Iowa until 1910. He then relocated to Jacksonville, Fla., where he edited several newspapers and served as director of the African American branch of the local YMCA.
He died in Jacksonville in 1925 at the age of 68.

Christy Price

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Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

Published

3 days ago

May 25, 2025

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OPINION: Your Voice and Vote Impact the Quality of Your Health Care

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare.

Published

1 week ago

May 19, 2025

Oakland Post

Rhonda M. Smith.

By Rhonda M. Smith, Special to California Black Media Partners

Shortly after last year’s election, I hopped into a Lyft and struck up a conversation with the driver. As we talked, the topic inevitably turned to politics. He confidently told me that he didn’t vote — not because he supported Donald Trump, but because he didn’t like Kamala Harris’ résumé. When I asked what exactly he didn’t like, he couldn’t specifically articulate his dislike or point to anything specific. In his words, he “just didn’t like her résumé.”

That moment really hit hard for me. As a Black woman, I’ve lived through enough election cycles to recognize how often uncertainty, misinformation, or political apathy keep people from voting, especially Black voters whose voices are historically left out of the conversation and whose health, economic security, and opportunities are directly impacted by the individual elected to office, and the legislative branches and political parties that push forth their agenda.

That conversation with the Lyft driver reflects a troubling surge in fear-driven politics across our country. We’ve seen White House executive orders gut federal programs meant to help our most vulnerable populations and policies that systematically exclude or harm Black and underserved communities.

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare.

Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, doesn’t just cover care. It protects individuals and families from medical debt, keeps rural hospitals open, creates jobs, and helps our communities thrive. Simply put; Medicaid is a lifeline for 1 in 5 Black Americans. For many, it’s the only thing standing between them and a medical emergency they can’t afford, especially with the skyrocketing costs of health care. The proposed cuts mean up to 7.2 million Black Americans could lose their healthcare coverage, making it harder for them to receive timely, life-saving care. Cuts to Medicaid would also result in fewer prenatal visits, delayed cancer screenings, unfilled prescriptions, and closures of community clinics. When healthcare is inaccessible or unaffordable, it doesn’t just harm individuals, it weakens entire communities and widens inequities.

The reality is Black Americans already face disproportionately higher rates of poorer health outcomes. Our life expectancy is nearly five years shorter in comparison to White Americans. Black pregnant people are 3.6 times more likely to die during pregnancy or postpartum than their white counterparts.

These policies don’t happen in a vacuum. They are determined by who holds power and who shows up to vote. Showing up amplifies our voices. Taking action and exercising our right to vote is how we express our power.

I urge you to start today. Call your representatives, on both sides of the aisle, and demand they protect Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the Affordable Care Act (Covered CA), and access to food assistance programs, maternal health resources, mental health services, and protect our basic freedoms and human rights. Stay informed, talk to your neighbors and register to vote.

About the Author

Rhonda M. Smith is the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity for all Black Californians.

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IN MEMORIAM: Nate Holden, State Senator and Longtime Los Angeles Councilmember, Dies at 95

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn described Holden as “a lion” in the State Senate and a force to be reckoned with on the Los Angeles City Council.” Hahn added that she learned a lot working with Holden when she was a new councilmember.

Published

1 week ago

May 19, 2025

Oakland Post

Former Los Angeles Councilmember and California State Sen. Nate Holden. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Nathaniel “Nate” Holden, a prominent figure in the city’s politics, passed away at the age of 95, his family confirmed on May 7.

Holden, who represented South Los Angeles for 16 years on the City Council and served one term in the California State Senate, was widely regarded as a forceful advocate for his community.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn described Holden as “a lion” in the State Senate and a force to be reckoned with on the Los Angeles City Council.”

Hahn added that she learned a lot working with Holden when she was a new councilmember.

Holden’s journey to political prominence began in the segregated South, where he was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1929. He often recalled the childhood moment when he first heard the governor of Georgia vowing to continue suppressing Black people.

“Doing the best you can for the people. Law and order. Make sure that people’s communities are safe. I did it all,” said Holden, reflecting on his legacy.

Holden is survived by his sons, including former California Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represented a district in Southern California that includes Pasadena and Altadena in Los Angeles County and cities in San Bernardino County.