ATLANTA (Reuters):

Black candidates in the United States midterm elections moved toward the political centre, seeking votes across the spectrum and playing down race, academics and analysts said on Friday.

The strategy reflects a further shift from African American leaders rooted in the civil-rights era to a generation of politicians for whom race can be used best as a vehicle for appealing to universal themes such as overcoming poverty.

In one of the most high-profile races involving black candidates, Democrat Deval Patrick was elected Governor of Massachusetts, becoming the state's first black governor, after running on a centrist platform.

"You are every black man, woman, and child in Massachusetts and America and every other striver of every other race and kind who is reminded tonight that the American dream is for you too," a victorious Patrick told supporters.