NEW CASTLE, Del. — Delaware’s electorate has elected Lisa Blunt Rochester to the U.S. Senate.

At 62 years old, Blunt Rochester will be both the first Black individual from Delaware and the first woman to serve in the Senate for the state. She joins an exclusive group as only the third Black woman ever elected to the Senate from a pool of over 2,000 individuals in U.S. history. A native of Wilmington, she has already made history by serving nearly eight years as Delaware’s first federal representative of color and first woman in Congress.

She has expressed that her campaign is “not about making history” but is focused on effecting real change.

Blunt Rochester will take over the Senate seat from her longtime mentor, Sen. Tom Carper, who has held the position for over twenty years. Carper encouraged her to run for the role upon announcing his retirement last spring and she received a direct endorsement from President Joe Biden just a week prior to the elections.

Now, she is set to define her own legacy in the Senate.

In her victory speech to a passionate crowd, Blunt Rochester expressed her “deep gratitude to God and the people of Delaware” who placed their trust in her. She dedicated her success to her late father, Ted Blunt, a well-respected leader in Wilmington, and extended thanks to her team, her mother, and family members.

“I promise to step into the Senate with you always in my heart and mind,” she stated to the audience, addressing everyone regardless of how they voted.

As she embarks on her Senate journey, Blunt Rochester emphasized her commitment to addressing rising costs, job security, responsible gun legislation, and initiatives to tackle climate change.

As reported by AP shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. ET, Blunt Rochester was victorious over Republican Eric Hansen and Independent Mike Katz. Delaware has consistently supported Democratic presidential candidates for the past eight elections, and it hasn’t elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1994.

Meet Delaware’s new senator

Blunt Rochester began her political career in the congressional office of Tom Carper.

In the 1980s, she started as an intern and worked her way up to become a case worker. She later served as the labor secretary in Carper’s gubernatorial Cabinet and was the personnel director under the late Governor Ruth Ann Minner. Her experience also includes being the CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League.

Throughout her career, Carper remained a supportive figure, advising her to pursue public office. He joined her on election night to celebrate her success.

After unexpectedly losing her husband, Charles, in 2014, Blunt Rochester chose to run for office, motivated by a conversation with Carper about what to expect in Congress. His mentorship has proven invaluable.

“Thank you, Tom,” she acknowledged in her address to him. “I aim to carry on your remarkable legacy.”

When she won her first election in 2016, Blunt Rochester outperformed a crowded field of candidates to secure Delaware’s only House seat.

In Congress, she aligned with the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the New Democrats Coalition, a group of centrist lawmakers. Notably, she was also the first Delawarean to serve on the Agriculture Committee in over a century.

When discussing her legislative achievements during her Senate campaign, she cited measures for clean air and drinking water, the Inflation Reduction Act, which aimed to lower prescription drug costs for seniors, and more. She was also the first member of Delaware’s delegation to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

In a recent report, Common Cause evaluated Congress members’ commitment to voting rights, Supreme Court ethics, and other reforms. Blunt Rochester received a perfect score from this nonpartisan organization.

She views her role in the Senate as a chance to “serve on a deeper level,” advocating for the protection of voting rights and the codification of Roe v. Wade. She recognizes the significance of her position, having joined the ranks of only three other Black women in the Senate, and feels a responsibility to inspire the next generation.

“To the young people standing up and fighting for your country and the world, I see you,” she remarked. “I appreciate you. You are the future.”