Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks Make History as U.S. Senators-Elect

Read a PDF of our statement here.

As a result of decisive victories Tuesday night in Delaware and Maryland, Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-Senate) and Angela Alsobrooks (MD-Senate) will become the first two Black women to serve in the U.S. Senate at the same time in our nation's history. Both women also will become the first Black women U.S. Senators to represent each of their states. These achievements mark a historic milestone in the struggle for Black political representation, and underscore the importance of inclusive access to the ballot and pro-democracy work to protect elections.

Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), issued the following statement:

"The Legal Defense Fund congratulates Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks on their historic victories this evening, which will make them the first Black women to ever simultaneously serve as United States Senators. Black women uniquely share lived experiences at the intersection of racial inequality and gender injustice. Robust Black representation at every level of government is necessary to remedy pervasive inequities and affirm a true multiracial, multiethnic democracy. These historic wins are an important step in that direction, and we are grateful to both Senators-elect Rochester and Alsobrooks for their willingness to serve."

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Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation's first civil rights law organization. LDF's Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957 - although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights.