Election 2024: Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks Forge Senate Milestones

In a historic milestone for American politics, Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester and Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks have secured their positions in the U.S. Senate, making them the first two Black women to serve concurrently. This significant breakthrough occurred during the November elections.

Their victories will increase the total number of Black women elected to the Senate from two to four, highlighting the chamber’s longstanding lack of diversity. Traditionally dominated by white men, this change marks a notable shift toward representation.

Blunt Rochester faced minimal opposition leading up to Election Day, having emerged from an uncontested primary. A trailblazer, she has represented Delaware in the House since 2017, being the first African American and the first woman to do so.

In contrast, Alsobrooks engaged in a much tighter race against Republican Larry Hogan, a well-known former governor of Maryland. Hogan’s campaign was bolstered by over $40 million in ad spending aimed at securing the open Senate seat previously held by Democrat Ben Cardin.

Both candidates adopted similar campaign strategies, focusing on their personal stories without overly emphasizing their historic achievement. By allowing their identities as Black women to resonate with voters, they mirrored the approach taken by Vice President Kamala Harris in her recent campaign.

The path to this moment has roots that stretch back to past pioneers. Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois was the first Black woman elected to the Senate in 1992, followed by Kamala Harris. The third Black woman to join their ranks was Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed to fulfill the remainder of Dianne Feinstein’s term after her passing in 2023.