2 states are on the verge of Electing Black governors.  While I take pride in the fact that Virginia was the first state to do so (and a former confederate one to boot), Pennsylvania and Ohio may come in second and third.  Lynn Swann appears to have the GOP nomination sewn up in Pennsylvania, and Ken Blackwell looks to get the GOP nod in Ohio.

What?  That must be a misprint!

No, it is not.  Republicans are on the verge of running 2 blacks for the governorships of 2 major states.  And both have a very good chance of winning.  Blackwell because the last time Ohio Elected a democrat was......(Help me out here Buckeyes).  And Pennsylvania?  Well, the one for the Thumb propelled Lynn Swann into a dead heat with the current governor. 

In addition to those 2 states, you have Maryland where Michael Steele has a shot at winning the Senate seat in that state.  Steele is also a Republican, and yes, he is black as well.

Why are blacks doing so well in the GOP?  Mathematics.  Blacks have been such a monolithic block for the democrats that republicans have had to win with little or no support from the Blacks.  But when Black Republicans run, they do carve off a large slice of that black vote.  Added to the solid Republican base, and you have a winning combination.

But these are not token blacks (sorry Julian Bond).  These are blacks that have risen through the party because they agree with what the party stands for and its ideals.  And those ideals still appeal to many people.  And so it seems to more and more blacks nationwide.

While Virginia will always be first (in many things), I hope soon that they are not the only state that can boast a black governor.  It will be an exclusive club in the short term, but hopefully an expanding one in the future.