“Although we have made tremendous strides as African-Americans, we have not realized our potential in the Democrat party yet. If not now, when?” Barnes wrote. “We now find ourselves with a historic opportunity before us — the selection of the first minority or African-American Speaker of the House of Delegates. We should not prevent our colleagues from either side of the aisle from voting for the Democratic candidate they feel is best qualified. Your letter is very surprising, even more, so devastating as means of retaliation.”