Despite its standing as the party that “freed the slaves,” Republicans have struggled to win over black voters.

The lone black senator is Tim Scott of South Carolina, a conservative Christian and now a leading Republican voice.

In last November’s election, a record 26 black women were elected to Congress - all Democrats. Of the 58 black Americans in the 117th Congress, 56 are Democrats, with Byron Donalds of Florida and Burgess Owens of Utah being the lone Republicans.

As a pro-Second Amendment, pro-life Republican, Donalds hardly fits the party and liberal media’s stereotype for a black Democrat. But since taking office last month, his voice has definitely become known to all Democrats and establishment politicians.

A recent tweet of how he rejects the concept of systemic racism immediately put him at odds with the black Democratic congressmen, many who want to see a complete overhaul of the nation’s police. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday last month, Donalds told how the civil rights leader stood strong in the midst of challenging and controversial times, using peace and the power of words to fight for equality for all.

Using his own life as an example, Donalds said King’s movement enabled every American access to the American dream, regardless of race. Born into inner-city Brooklyn to a single mother, Donalds pursued degrees in finance and marketing at Florida State before turning to politics and winning election to the most powerful legislative body in the world.

In his first floor speech in the House chamber earlier this month, Donalds detailed why conservative states, including his own Florida, have far lower unemployment than “progressive” states.

As for the state and local governments which are having major revenue problems due to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Donalds said the simplest answer is to simply allow businesses to reopen. He cautions that the Democrats’ strategy of putting forward a massive spending bill - and throwing money at the problem - will not stabilize or grow the economy.

“If you wanna stimulate something, actually let the American people get back to work. Let them run their businesses and you’d be surprised what actually (will) happen in our economy,” Donalds stated.

Donalds wondered why Florida residents should pay to bail out liberally governed states like New York and California. He joked that the only thing New York has done positively for Florida is help the real estate markets, which are now benefiting by the exodus from poorly run, highly taxed states and relocating in the South.

Donalds argues that throwing stimulus money around through a budget resolution is not about economics, COVID-19 or about helping schools reopen.

It’s pure politics, as was the latest impeachment effort of Donald Trump that ended last weekend in his acquittal.

On education, Donalds believes that reopening schools also depends on leadership. He said even though the federal government can throw out $170 billion in stimulus for local school districts, it doesn’t guarantee their reopening if unionized teachers refuse to return to their classrooms.

As for the COVID-19 vaccinations, Donalds said the vaccine rollout forcefully put in motion by President Trump was on track to getting the economy reopened before the Biden administration took over.

Donalds has also criticized liberal Democrats and the press for skewering Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fellow conservative, for things said in the past, but for which she has apologized. Donalds doesn’t agree with Greene’s past statements but is upset by the media’s double standard when it allows a radical Democrat like Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has yet to apologize for her radical and vile comments as a member of Congress, to skate by.

Donalds and Burgess Owens know that as black congressmen with strong Christian conservative beliefs they face an uphill battle with liberal colleagues. Although willing to reach across the aisle to anyone on Congress, they will not, however, back down to those trying to undermine the Judeo-Christian core beliefs that support their values.

During this period of Black History Month, their struggle is not unlike the one that Dr. King waged as a lonely voice of faith and reason during the chaotic 1960s.

By Jim Zbick | tneditor@tnonline.com