2024 Senate races could see 2 Black women elected for first time in US history
LOS ANGELES - This year’s Senate elections may bring an unprecedented milestone. Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester and Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks are both running for Senate seats, and if they win, they will be the first two Black women to serve in the U.S. Senate simultaneously. This would double the number of Black women ever elected to the chamber, a space that has historically been dominated by white men.
While Blunt Rochester is running in Delaware, where she is widely expected to win, Alsobrooks is facing a tighter race in Maryland against Republican Larry Hogan. Both women have built strong campaigns that appeal to a broad spectrum of voters, but their presence on the ballot carries significant weight beyond their individual platforms.
What challenges do these candidates face?
Though Lisa Blunt Rochester’s path seems clear, as she is likely to win the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Carper, Angela Alsobrooks faces a tougher battle. Her opponent, Larry Hogan, is a popular former governor in Maryland, and the race is expected to be fiercely contested.
Alsobrooks' campaign has defied conventional expectations. She secured a victory over wealthy competitor David Trone in the Democratic primary by focusing on grassroots support and leveraging her experience as a prosecutor and County Executive. This race, in particular, has drawn national attention, as it could influence which party controls the Senate.
What would this election mean for Senate diversity?
The election of Blunt Rochester and Alsobrooks would represent a cultural and political shift in the Senate. Historically, the chamber has been overwhelmingly white and male, with only three Black women—Carol Moseley Braun, Kamala Harris, and Laphonza Butler—having ever held Senate seats.
Lisa Blunt Rochester (left) and Angela Alsobrooks (right) could make history in the 2024 Senate race, as they seek to become the first two Black women to serve simultaneously in the U.S. Senate.
This would be the first time two Black women serve together, reflecting the changing demographics of both the country and its electorate. Their campaigns echo a larger movement toward greater representation and inclusivity in American politics, with the potential to inspire more women of color to seek office in the future.
How do these candidates approach their campaigns?
Both Blunt Rochester and Alsobrooks have built their campaigns by focusing on issues that resonate with voters across demographics while not overly emphasizing their historic potential. Instead, they aim to show that their life experiences and perspectives matter as they seek to represent a broad coalition of voters.
Alsobrooks, for example, launched her campaign with a personal story of family tragedy and resilience, sharing how her family left South Carolina for Maryland after her great-grandfather was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop. She emphasizes her deep connections to the Maryland community and her long-standing public service, positioning herself as a candidate who understands and fights for local concerns.