Did Calls to Defund the Police Really Hurt Democrats?

FEATURING CANDIS WATTS SMITH – In the days following the November 3rd election, Democrats have wondered out loud why their party did not do better in the House or the Senate. Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina claimed that activists’ call to Defund the Police hurt Senate candidate Jaime Harrison against GOP Senator Lindsey Graham. Lousiana Representative Cedric Richmond echoed this claim saying on Face the Nation, “Defunding the police’ is a title that hurts Democrats.”

Candis Watts Smith is Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies at Penn State University and the co-author of numerous books including Stay Woke: A People’s Guide to Making All Black Lives Matter.