Black Republican denied membership in General Assembly's Black Caucus [View all]

The only Black Republican in the House of Delegates voiced frustration Thursday that he was denied membership in the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

First-term Del. A.C. Cordoza, R-Hampton, said the decision came after he told the caucus he disagreed with most of its platform, which skews largely Democratic and progressive. The caucus was recently a leading voice in recent police reform initiatives, many of which GOP lawmakers are trying to roll back.

“I don’t know what to do,” Cordoza said in a floor speech. “I’m a legislator, I’m Black, and I want to help the Black community. Maybe I need to start my own caucus, the Virginia Non-Leftist Black Caucus.”

The speech drew vigorous applause from the otherwise all-White GOP caucus, which last included a Black member in 2004, when now-Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears served in the chamber.

Read more: https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/black-republican-says-he-was-denied-membership-in-general-assemblys-black-caucus/