Alsobrooks and Blunt Rochester: Black Women Make Senate History

By Joseph Williams, Word in Black

On Tuesday night, as it became clear that Donald Trump would soundly defeat Vice President Kamala Harris in their heated race for the White House, Black women on the political left choked down yet another spoonful of bitter medicine.

But two historic wins by Black women — Senators-elect Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester, both Democrats — may have helped it go down a bit more easily, 

With resounding wins in Maryland and Delaware, respectively, Alsobrooks and Blunt Rochester both became the first Black woman to represent their states in the Senate. They will become the first two Black women to serve in the Senate at the same time, and increased the number of Black women who have ever served in Senate history to four. 

Alsobrooks, the former county manager of Prince George’s County, Maryland — the richest majority-Black county in the country — fills the seat of retired Sen. Ben Cardin, who served five terms. Her race drew national attention after Republicans, sensing an opportunity to flip a blue Senate seat, tapped Larry Hogan, the state’s popular former governor, to run against her. 

A four-term member of the House representing Delaware, Blunt Rochester is replacing Sen. Tom Carper, her former mentor, who won the seat after serving as the state’s governor. 

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In sharp contrast to the top of the Democratic ticket, Alsobrooks and Blunt Rochester both won their races by double-digit margins. And during their victory speeches, both women took note of their places in American history. 

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