Community Leaders?

You bring up an interesting point. Innicially I was going to reply that this is racial and a generalization, but I have noticed it to.

Perhaps it is loyalty to those who have sought out their endorsement and listened to their concerns. Investment in a candidate and an attempt to protect that investment.

I am guessing here but that's what it seems to me. Blacks that I know are very much into social contacts and family. They know who is in the community and how each relates ot the other. They meet someone and know the sister, aunt, cousin. They are often distantly related.

In this kind of close knit community a community leader becomes part of the extended family even if they are not black. Blacks tend to protect family.

becasue they feel that a white , asian, or latin will not protect their interests in government handout programs.