On November 6, 1934, Arthur W. Mitchell defeated incumbent Oscar De Priest in Chicago’s First Congressional District election, becoming the first African American Democrat elected to the U.S. Congress.

Background:

• Oscar De Priest: Before Mitchell’s victory, Oscar De Priest, a Republican, was the first African American elected to Congress in the 20th century and the first from the North.
• Arthur W. Mitchell: Originally a Republican, Mitchell switched to the Democratic Party in 1932, aligning himself with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies. His campaign capitalized on the growing support for the New Deal among African Americans, criticizing De Priest’s opposition to certain relief measures.

Significance:

Mitchell’s election marked a pivotal shift in African American political alignment, reflecting a broader trend of Black voters transitioning from the Republican to the Democratic Party during the Great Depression.

This victory not only highlighted changing political affiliations but also underscored the impact of New Deal policies on African American communities, as many began to see the Democratic Party as more supportive of their economic and social needs during that era.

Mitchell’s tenure in Congress further solidified this shift, as he advocated for civil rights and introduced legislation aimed at combating racial discrimination.

His election is a significant milestone in Black history, symbolizing both political change and the ongoing struggle for equality in the United States.