To win a state Senate seat, Malcolm Ruff tapped into his Black fraternity network

Del. Malcolm Ruff knew he was in for a battle when he challenged state Sen. Dalya Attar for her Baltimore seat in the Democratic primary. He also knew he could lean on his special network of fraternity brothers and sorority sisters, known as the Divine Nine, or D9.

Now, Ruff is heading to Annapolis, and he attributes much of his political success to the D9 network. He proudly claims to be the first member of his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., to serve in the Maryland Senate. The fraternity is one of nine historically Black organizations recognized by the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

“My fraternity brothers were at my back throughout the entire year long campaign,” he said, adding that their “serious organizing advanced efforts to reach voters just because of their loyalty to our fraternity.”

The 2026 midterms produced historic results — in Maryland and nationally — for Black candidates. Of the state’s six most populous jurisdictions, five now have Black executives, including Howard County, where Vanessa Atterbeary will become its first Black female leader. Five Black governors were elected, and Gov. Wes Moore was the third-ever elected Black governor in the U.S.

Many are members of Black fraternities and sororities, a network that can help candidates fundraise, organize and build momentum. Incoming Montgomery County Executive Will Jawando is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the newly elected first Black woman governor of Georgia, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., for example.

Historically, Black candidates often haven’t had access to the same political, financial and professional networks as many of their white counterparts.

“The Divine Nine may not completely level the playing field, but these organizations have spent generations making sure Black people have access to spaces, relationships, and opportunities from which they were historically excluded,” said Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson, founder of Black Girls Vote, a nonpartisan national group based in Baltimore. Robinson is a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Ryan Turner, who was just elected to represent Baltimore’s District 41 in the state House of Delegates, believes that addition to grassroots organizations, and legacy organizations like the NAACP, Black sororities and fraternities have been a force for ushering Black political leaders to power.

Turner said he received significant support from Divine Nine organizations, including his own fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha.

“It’s really about college educated Black folks training to be future members,” said Sen. Antonio Hayes, the state Senate’s newly announced chair of the committee handling business and health care regulation. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

State Sen. Charles E. Sydnor III of Baltimore County hosted a “candidate connection” event in early October at the Pleasant Yacht Club in Sparrows Point for five Black candidates — a mix of hopefuls vying for spots on the school board, County Council and in the House Df delegates — all with D9 affiliations.

About 75 people attended. Sydnor believes that almost all of the Black candidates in Baltimore County this year have a D9 connection.

“I can almost guarantee you that even if you’re not a part of those organizations, dig deep enough, you’ll likely find someone who’s a part of their circle,” Sydnor said.

Julian Jones, who was just elected the first Black county executive of Baltimore County, isn’t a Divine Nine member. But his wife is. The couple — presumably through her connection to Delta Sigma Theta — was at Sydnor’s event.

All three candidates who were trying to become the first Black woman elected to Baltimore County Council are D9 members and attended the Sydnor event. Only Makeda Scott won, in northwest Baltimore County’s District 3.

Not every Black politician — Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott included — has a Divine Nine connection.

Sen. Carl Jackson, who represents District 8 in Baltimore County and isn’t part of D9, doesn’t necessarily believe that being a part of a fraternity or sorority gives Black candidates an advantage.

“I think it’s all about the candidate,” said Jackson, who won his race Tuesday. “At the end of the day, it’s about their ability to raise funds. Those are things that you can do through a fraternity or sorority, but you can also do that through other means.”

Not being a D9 member didn’t stop Jackson from reaching out to the Baltimore County chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for what he called a partnership.

“I see their community advocacy,” he said.

At Moore’s downtown Baltimore victory party Tuesday night, an exuberant Ruff was among a who’s who of Maryland’s top Democrats.

They rotated in and out of a small backstage room that was abuzz with flat-screen TVs showing Maryland and national election results.

Among the swirl: Hayes, U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.), Baltimore City Council member Phylicia Porter (Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc). Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (Delta Sigma Theta) and Moore (Alpha Phi Alpha) were among those to give remarks.

It’s not uncommon to see lawmakers in their pins and colors during the legislative session.

Ruff didn’t have his pin on at the victory party but said he often wears it at press conferences and during his private work as a lawyer.

He estimated about 10% of his donations were from fellow fraternity and sorority members. He said that financial boost helped him have enough money “to recover from the inexperience of running the game there the first time.”

Ruff said when he became a member of his fraternity 23 years ago, he knew their support would bring him to moments like this — a Senate victory.

“I always knew it would be a source of strength and a network that would always be there for me,” he said.