Tahrohon Wayne Shannon

Tahrohon Wayne Shannon, Oklahoma’s first Black House Speaker, criticized President Obama’s reaction to the Supreme Court’s voting rights decision, arguing it fuels racial division. The court struck down Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District, which had a predominantly Black electorate, ruling states cannot use race in redistricting. Shannon, running for lieutenant governor, emphasized his election in a majority-white district as proof minorities can succeed without racial gerrymandering.

Tahrohon Wayne Shannon, Oklahoma’s first African American House speaker, criticized President Obama for his pessimism following the Supreme Court's decision to limit race-based redistricting under the Voting Rights Act. Shannon argued the ruling reduces racial division in politics, citing his own election in a majority-white district as proof minorities can succeed without special treatment.