Two Black conservatives share their views on the election

The Republican Party of Wisconsin’s field office is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and North Avenue. (Photo by PrincessSafiya Byers)

In Milwaukee’s inner city, where the Democratic Party has long dominated the political landscape, Black Republicans are a minority.

But they are here.

According to 2020 general election results, 48,414 Milwaukeeans, almost 20% of voters, voted for former President Donald Trump.

At least a few of those voters are Black, including two who responded to a callout from NNS to chat about their views.

Milwaukee Republicans are 74% white, 11% Hispanic and 7% Black, according to Marquette polling data.

In the heart of Milwaukee, at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and North Avenue sits a field office for the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

Erik Ngutse, the director of community engagement for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, has his office in that building.

Erik Ngutse is the director of community engagement for the Republican Party of Wisconsin. (Photo provided by Erik Ngutse)

“I think there is this idea that Black Republicans don’t care about Black issues. And that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Ngutse said. “You can’t become a Black Republican unless you’re heavily motivated by your community and what has happened to your community.”

On the other side of town, David King works as a pastor and business coach. King ran on the Republican ticket in the last mayoral election and while he no longer identifies as a Republican, he is right-leaning.

“When I can’t find what I believe in a party, I have to look at the policy,” King said. He expressed opposition to policies that he perceives are in support of transgender care and illegal immigrants.

Pastor David King identifies as an independent conservative. (Photo provided by David King)

Why conservative?

Ngutse said he joined the Republican Party because of its history.

He said the party has always chosen to stand on morals and emphasize the value of every human.

“If you want more dangerous streets, failing schools, fatherlessness and a high incarceration rate, you wouldn’t really be a Republican,” he said. “It’s only when you want to stop those things that you look at the options we have for people.”

For Ngutse, important issues right now are homeownership, childcare, jobs, public safety and education.

King now identifies as an independent conservative.

“After studying government and working with both parties, I realized that they are both all talk,” he said. “Current elected officials care more about the party’s agenda than the people. I care about people.”

King said his reasoning is simple. He wants to be as Christ-like as possible. So, whoever’s policies and agenda are closer to his personal values of following the Bible is who gets his vote.

Being conservative in Milwaukee

Both King and Ngutse agree that being conservative in Milwaukee is a lot of work.

“In Milwaukee, Democrats take all, “ said King. “It doesn’t matter how long the voting Democrat has burned people, they continue to do it.”

He said through coaching, his podcast and having honest conversations with anyone who will listen, he tries to teach the importance of doing your own research and making an educated decision.

King said he is often censored when he is sharing his views on his podcast or YouTube channel.

Ngutse said it’s difficult to educate people about the Republican perspective in Milwaukee, because the city is so left-leaning.

“Schools tend to be breeding grounds for Democrats and liberal elites,” he said. “Here, the mayor is liberal and most of the alder people are liberal. You have to truly want to know the options and resources.”