Equating their movement to the civil rights struggle, some leading black ministers from across the nation have endorsed Republican Ken Blackwell for Ohio governor. They include Bishop Harry Jackson, a Democrat from Maryland; and Bill Owens, who heads the Memphis-based Coalition of African-American Pastors. At press conferences yesterday, they said they have helped form Clergy for Blackwell, in part because he opposes abortion and same-sex “marriage.” Blackwell, who is black, is struggling in the polls against Democrat Ted Strickland, a white congressman and former minister. Blackwell thanked the ministers for their support and said that “God and faith and religion” create the moral foundation needed for a self-governing democracy. But he pledged to support people of all faiths, or no faith, if he is elected.
- AP