From The Yard To The Hill: HBCU Graduates Who Won Big On Election Day

Around the country, citizens were glued to their televisions and cell phones awaiting the final results of the hotly contested presidential election. Lost in the background of the presidential election, many other important political battles took place. Cori Bush won a historic congressional election in Missouri, Oregon made strides in addressing drug addiction and Maryland took a step toward legalizing sports betting. Within these victories, one group in particular took a huge step forward, historically Black colleges and universities.

On November 3, a number of HBCU graduates sought election and in some cases, re-election. As election week has progressed, a number of HBCU graduates have received the good news that they'll be heading to the nation's capital, their state's capital or town hall. Here are some of the public officials who will be able to wave their school's flag proudly as they serve their respective communities.

Jim Clyburn

School: South Carolina State University

Position: U.S. Representative, South Carolina

James "Jim" Clyburn is one of the longest tenured members of Congress. Elected in 1990, Clyburn has been re-elected 15 times with no substantive opposition. This year, he defeated Republican challenger John McCollum by more than 100,000 votes. The South Carolina State University graduate will represent the state's 6th district for another term.

Joyce Beatty

School: Central State University

Position: U.S. Representative, Ohio

Joyce Beatty is no stranger to Congress. For 19 years, her husband served Ohio's 3rd District. In 1999, she picked up where he left off and has represented the district ever since. This year, she beat out Republican Challenger Mark Richardson.

Hank Johnson

School: Clark Atlanta University, Texas Southern University

Position: U.S. Representative, Georgia

Georgia is the center of the political sphere at the moment. While former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump eagerly await all of the ballots to be counted, Rep. Hank Johnson can rest easy. The Clark Atlanta University graduate easily beat out Republican challenger Johsie Cruz in a landslide.

Alcee Hastings

School: Fisk University, Florida A&M University, Howard University

Position: U.S. Representative,

Alcee Hastings is a Floridian through and through. Born in Atlamonte Springs, he attended high school and college in the Sunshine State. Now, he's a U.S. Representative in his home state. The 84-year-old congressman will spend another two years on Capitol Hill after winning nearly 80% of the vote.

Frederica Wilson

School: Fisk University

Position: U.S. Representative, Florida

Frederica Wilson will join Rep. Hastings in Washington, D.C. She will represent the state's 24th district for yet another term.

David Scott

School: Florida A&M University, Howard University

Position: U.S. Representative, Georgia

Nothing seems to be certain in the state of Georgia. Ballots are still being counted in the race for the White House. Lurking in the background, David Perdue and John Ossoff may be headed to a run-off election for the state's second Senate seat. While all of this is going on, David Scott is at peace knowing that he has won the state's 13th congressional district in a landslide.

Al Green

School: Florida A&M University, Texas Southern University, Tuskegee University

Position: U.S. Representative, Texas

At the presidential level, much of Texas voted for the Republican Party. However, many voters in the state's 9th district issued their support to Rep. Al Green of Florida A&M University.

Al Lawson

School: Florida A&M University

Position: U.S. Representative, Florida

Years ago, Al Lawson walked across the graduation stage at Florida A&M. Now, he walks the halls of the Capitol Building as a congressman representing Florida's 5th district.

Gregory Meeks

School: Howard University

Position: U.S. Representative, New York

Gregory Meeks was elected to Congress in 2013 at the age of 60. At 67, he is showing no signs of slowing down. The Howard University graduate was re-elected to another two-year term on election night.

Bennie Thompson

School: Tougaloo College, Jackson State University

Position: U.S. Representative, Mississippi

Bennie Thompson has served in Congress since 1993 and that will not change in January. Rep. Thomspon has been re-elected as the Mississippi's only Democratic U.S. Representative.

Cedric Richmond

School: Morehouse College

Position: U.S. Representative, Louisiana

Hours north of Atlanta, a Morehouse College graduate by the name of Cedric Richmond has reason to celebrate. Rep. Richmond defeated Republican challenger David Schilling in a landslide victory on Tuesday. He will represent Louisiana's 2nd District for a tenth year in 2021.

Alma Adams

School: North Carolina A&T State University

Position: U.S. Representative, North Carolina

Rep. Alma Adams will return to Congress for a fourth term. She will represent the Tar Heel state's 12th district.

G.K. Butterfield

School: North Carolina Central University

Position: U.S. Representative, North Carolina

G.K. Butterfield eked out a close victory over Republican challenger Sandy Smith on Tuesday. As a result, the NCCU graduate will represent the state's 1st district.

Eddie Bernice Johnson

School: Prairie View A&M University, Wiley College

Position: U.S. Representative, Texas

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson has been in Congress since 1993 and that will not change. Rep. Johnson did not only win on Tuesday night, but she blew out the competition. Bringing more than four times as many votes as her closest competitor, Johnson will represent the state's 30 district yet again.

Emmanuel Cleaver

School: Prairie View A&M University

Position: U.S. Representative, Missouri

Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver made Prairie View A&M University by earning nearly 60% of the vote in Missouri's 5th district. Elsewhere in the state, Rep. Cori Bush made history as the first Black woman in Missouri to be elected to Congress.

Lucy McBath

School: Virginia State University

Position: U.S. Representative, Georgia

Rep. Lucy McBath has had one of the more unexpected runs to Congress. After her son, Jordan Davis, was unjustly killed in 2012, she became one of the nation's leading gun control advocates. Her political activism ultimately led her to public office. In 2019, she made her way into Congress through a run-off election. Now, she will have the opportunity to serve another term.

Donld McEachin

School: Virginia Union University

Position: U.S. Representative, Virginia

Rep. Donald McEachin will extend his run in Congress for another two years. He won 61% of the vote.

Kamala Harris

School: Howard University

Position: Vice President of the United States

She did it! Former Sen. Kamala Harris become the first Black woman, South Asian and HBCU graduate to hold the title of Vice President Elect.

Nikema Williams

School: Talladega College

Position: U.S. Representative, Georgia

Rep. Nikema Williams will have big shoes to fill as she replaces former Rep. John Lewis in Congress. She steps in to Congress with experience in Georgia's state senate as well as serving as the chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

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