GOP Gaining on Dems in Diversity Race

Are Republicans claiming the mantle of ethnic diversity long held by Democrats? Beginning in 2011, writes National Journal columnist Josh Kraushaar, the GOP will actually lead in one key measure: the number of minority congressional and statewide officeholders who represent majority-white constituencies.

A Republican “diversity boomlet” in November raised that number from one to 10, Kraushaar writes. This GOP crossover caucus now includes Rep.-elect Tim Scott of South Carolina, Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval of Nevada and Sen.-elect Marco Rubio of Florida.

Democrats, meanwhile, might be hitting a diversity ceiling after the peak experience of an African-American, Barack Obama, being elected president in 2008.

“Of the 75 black, Hispanic and Asian-American Democrats in Congress and governorships,” Kraushaar writes, “only nine represent majority-white constituencies -- and that declines to six in 2011.”

“This means Democrats lack a bench of minority candidates who can run for statewide office, no less national office,” he writes.