Delaware Senate: Lisa Blunt Rochester (D)
Lisa Blunt Rochester has served as the representative for Delaware’s at-large congressional district since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in Congress
Rochester grew up in Wilmington, and says that she worked her first job at the McDonald’s on Market Street.
Flipping burgers and serving coffee to regulars, she says, she learned the value of an honest day’s work and the importance of a good job.
Rochester’s journey in public service began when she approached then-Rep. Tom Carper at a town hall. With a baby on her hip and another one on the way, Lisa inquired about an internship in the congressman’s Wilmington office.
As an intern and then a caseworker in the congressman’s office, Rochester helped constituents with their Social Security benefits, disability insurance claims, IRS disputes and housing needs.
She went on to serve in the cabinets of Delaware Govs. Carper and Ruth Ann Minner, breaking barriers as she served as secretary of Labor, deputy secretary of Health and Social Services, and state personnel director.
Despite her career trajectory, Rochester says today that she never imagined that she would run for office herself.
But after the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband, Lisa poured her grief into service and ran for Congress.
Once in office, she also took a leading role in creating safer communities and expanding access to clean air and water.
In the U.S. Senate, Rochester says she will continue fighting to create good-paying jobs, protect abortion rights, ensure every vote is counted and deliver for the Delaware families she so proudly represents.
Lisa is the proud mother of Alyssa and Alex, both of whom graduated from Delaware’s public schools. She also currently serves as a co-chair of the Harris-Walz campaign.
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