Lisa Blunt Rochester

A progressive champion for Delaware

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is the current representative for Delaware’s At-Large Congressional District, where she has served the First State since 2017 and was elected with the full support of EMILYs List. Blunt Rochester grew up in Wilmington, Delaware in a family with a strong tradition of public service, and she has dedicated her life to helping women and families get ahead. Blunt Rochester began her career as an intern and then caseworker for then-Congressman Tom Carper, aiding Delaware families facing challenges. She was appointed as Delaware’s deputy secretary of health and social services in 1993, and in 1998, Blunt Rochester made history as Delaware’s first Black woman secretary of labor. In 2001, she was appointed again as state personnel director, where she worked to end racial and gender discrimination in the Delaware State Police department. Blunt Rochester also previously served as the CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, a community-based organization that provides direct services to people of color through programs, advocacy, and research. Blunt Rochester is the proud mother of two children, who both graduated from Delaware’s public schools, and lives in Wilmington.

A fighter for women and families

In Congress, Rep. Blunt Rochester has been a leader on economic and labor issues, and serves as the co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Future of Work Task Force. She is also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, having introduced first-of-its-kind legislation to seal the records of nonviolent offenders that do not re-offend. She is dedicated to reducing health care costs for middle class families, improving access to resources for people of color, and addressing the country’s opioid crisis — and has been for her entire career. During her time as Delaware’s deputy secretary of health and social services she worked to provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable people in the state, and as a special policy advisor on family issues to then-Gov. Tom Carper, she helped create and coordinate the state Family Services Cabinet Council. Blunt Rochester has always been a proud champion of policies that help women and families have a fair shot.

An opportunity to make history in the First State

Rep. Blunt Rochester has been a groundbreaker before — prior to her election to the U.S. House, Delaware had never elected a woman or a person of color to Congress. If elected to the Senate, she would be the first Black senator from Delaware in the state’s history. This progressive champion is running to replace her former boss Sen. Tom Carper, who has served in the role since 2000 and is retiring. Blunt Rochester’s experience in Congress and in public service will make her a powerful advocate in the Senate for a more just and inclusive approach to increasing opportunities for all. Blunt Rochester is a tireless fighter for Delaware women and families, and EMILYs List is proud to help her achieve this historic first.