Incoming senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) will be the first two Black women to serve together in the Senate. Neither Delaware nor Maryland has ever had a black senator. And Delaware has never been represented by a woman in the Senate.
Blunt Rochester and Allsbrooks are the fourth and fifth Black women to serve in the Senate, and the third and fourth Black women in history. Carol Mosley Brown (D-Illinois) and current Vice President Harris took first and second place. Sen. LaFonza Butler is the third Black woman appointed after the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
“It's amazing to think that in two years America will be celebrating its 250th anniversary,” Allsbrooks said in his victory speech Tuesday night. “And over all this time, over 2,000 people have served in the United States Senate. Only three look like me.”
“And I want to pay tribute to all of my predecessors who have made it possible for me to stand on this stage tonight. Their sacrifices and stories will continue to be with me,” she added. Ta.
Brant Rochester, currently a member of the Delaware House of Representatives, made history in 2016 as the first woman of color to be elected to Congress from Delaware.
But her Senate campaign isn't about making history, she said. Still, she previously paid tribute to “the path blazed by three strong Black women senators.”
“This is my pledge to you: I will go to the Senate every day with you in my heart, whether you voted for me or not,” she said in her victory speech.
And she added a special message for young voters.
“I have a message for the young people who are standing up, speaking out, and doing everything they can for their country and the world. I see you. I appreciate you. And you're next.”
The Congressional Black Caucus PAC said in a statement that it was “overjoyed” by both women's victories.
Regarding Brant Rochester, the group said her “trailblazing victory” was no surprise.
“As Delaware’s next U.S. senator, Lisa will make Black women and Black Americans proud, and Black women everywhere.”
The group also said it was “proud” to welcome Alsobrooks as one of the new members of the CBC.
