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US will have two Black women serving as senators for first time in history
The US will have two Black women serving as senators for the first time in American history, with the election of Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland.
Blunt Rochester, a congresswoman from Delaware, will be the first woman and Black senator to represent the state. Alsobrooks, a former county executive and prosecutor who beat out the state’s former Republican governor in a tight race, is the first Black senator from Maryland.
The Democratic candidates’ victories double the number of Black women elected to the US Senate. While three others have served before, including Carol Moseley Braun, Laphonza Butler and Kamala Harris, there has never been more than one Black woman in the Senate at a time.
Blunt Rochester, who was also the first Black person and first woman from Delaware elected to Congress, highlighted those women in a victory speech during a Tuesday evening election party where she was greeted by supporters chanting “LBR”.
“We are a country that is strengthened over time by the soul and sacrifice of those who serve and by all of those who came before us,” she said.
“As I prepare to step foot on that trail blazed by three strong Black women senators who came before us – Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, Vice-President Kamala Harris, and Senator Laphonza Butler – I have a message to the young people who are standing up, speaking up and giving your all for your country and the world,” she said. “I see you, I’m grateful to you and you’ve got next.”
Joe Biden called Blunt Rochester to congratulate her on the historic win in his home state.
Blunt Rochester and Alsobrooks have said they became friends as they’ve campaigned in their respective states. They call themselves “sister senator-to-be” in their private text chain, Blunt Rochester told the Associated Press.
Tuesday evening marked a night of firsts for the US and for Delaware where voters also elected Sarah McBride, who will be the first trans person to serve in the US House.
Read more of the Guardian’s 2024 US election coverage