In the 2024 election season, Black women are pushing to break barriers that could inspire future generations and reshape the political landscape by electing more people of color to various offices.
Vice President Kamala Harris has already shattered glass ceilings, becoming the first woman and first woman of color to be elected vice president. Other Black women in politics are pushing to make history in Congress.
Harris’ journey from California’s attorney general to the U.S. Senate and now the White House has been marked by resilience and a commitment to public service. But on November 5, she likely will face her toughest competition yet: to be elected as commander-in-chief.
Meanwhile, two other influential Black women are attempting to follow in Harris’ footsteps by representing their constituents in the Senate.
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Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County Executive in Maryland, are vying for seats in the upper chamber of Congress as they attempt to make history.
Though in different states, Blunt Rochester aims to become the first woman and first Black American to represent Delaware in the Senate, while Alsobrooks could become the first Black U.S. senator representing Maryland.
Both Democrats’ candidacies represent a historic moment as they aim to boost diversity and representation in the congressional chamber, where many white lawmakers outnumber Black men and women.
Their bids have drawn national attention. If elected, they would be the first two Black women to serve in the U.S. Senate at the same time, according to USA Today. Another key challenge these women face is navigating a male-dominant political landscape to address the unique needs of their communities.
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Here are key facts about these Black women in politics:
Angela Alsobrooks: A local leader on the national stage
Angela Alsobrooks, who is running for the Senate seat in Maryland, has been a prominent figure in local politics.
Alsobrooks, a lifelong resident of Prince George’s County, Maryland, was raised with a strong sense of community service, according to her campaign website. Inspired by her great-grandmother’s advice to “go farther and do better,” she has always been dedicated to caring for her neighbors and giving back to her community.
The 53-year-old outlined her background as Maryland’s first domestic violence prosecutor and as the executive of Prince George’s County, a suburban area near Washington, D.C., according to USA Today. Alsobrooks, a Democrat, previously served two terms as the county’s state’s attorney from 2010 to 2018.
“It’s in America’s best interest that we have people representing us who understand us, who live like us, and who make decisions for us,” Alsobrooks said during an event at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore campus, per USA Today.
She’s known for her efforts to improve public safety, education, and economic development in her county.
Alsobrooks has worked to foster economic growth and workforce development in Prince George’s County, aiming to create more job opportunities and improve the local economy, according to a report by the Baltimore Examiner.
The report highlights many key issues Alsobrooks has focused on, including strengthening public safety, implementing community policing programs, and increasing resources for law enforcement.
On the education front, she has pushed for reforms such as the construction of new schools, updating technology labs, and increasing funding for educators.
Lisa Blunt Rochester: Breaking barriers
In 2017, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester made history as the first woman and first person of color to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware. She is running to fill the Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Tom Carper. If elected, she would become Delaware’s first Black senator. She has even garnered support from President Joe Biden.
Blunt Rochester began her political career working for then-Rep. Tom Carper, later serving as his deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services and secretary of the Department of Labor.
Blunt Rochester’s campaign focuses on affordable health care, environmental sustainability, and economic equity, according to news sources. Her campaign website highlights key issues she’s focused on, such as reducing health care costs and addressing disparities in health outcomes for communities of color.
Blunt Rochester has touted legislation she’s worked on to boost start-up business growth and remove barriers for citizens reentering society. She is rated as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, working with both parties to expand broadband access to rural communities, repair roads and bridges, and add more border patrol agents.
Kamala Harris: Could become the first female leader
Her campaign emphasizes unity and addressing the needs of all Americans. Harris has served as California’s Attorney General and as a U.S. Senator before becoming Vice President.
Harris’ campaign focuses on reproductive rights and tackling inflation. She wants to restore the Roe v. Wade precedent on abortion, ban corporate price gouging on food and groceries, and not raise taxes for those earning less than $400,000 a year.
She’s been actively engaging with voters of color, specifically targeting Black men with initiatives her campaign says will benefit them, including measures to boost Black entrepreneurship through forgivable loans.
Additionally, her plan includes the creation of more apprenticeships and research into diseases like sickle cell that disproportionately affect Black American men.
During a recent event, Harris drew a crowd of reportedly 75,000 supporters at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., where she contrasted her campaign with that of former President Donald Trump.
