lisa blunt rochester biography

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“During most of my career, I defined myself by my title and my salary,” she says. “Then, I got my kids off to college, I quit my job, I sold my house, I married someone I knew mostly from a long-distance relationship, and I moved to China to be with him. For about six months, I loved just being a tourist in Shanghai, but I woke up one day and thought: What have I done?”

Despite her sudden panic, Rochester says she knew she had not made a mistake in following her heart. She describes her husband, Charles Rochester, EG ’84, as her best friend and soul mate, and she says she knew after one in-person date and several months of long-distance communication that they were meant to be together.

Still, she realized that she needed to make more of her new life than to be just an expatriate “trailing spouse” in China.

After all, she had a long list of accomplishments and professional experience. With a master’s degree in public policy from UD, Rochester (then Lisa Blunt-Bradley) was the first African-American woman to serve as Delaware’s secretary of labor and the first African American to be state personnel director and deputy secretary of health and social services. After leaving state government service, she went on to be CEO of the Wilmington Metropolitan Urban League and to work in the Middle East for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the king of Jordan.

Drawing on those experiences, she started a job search in China, but nothing fell into place until she attended a 10-day meditation retreat in Hong Kong that helped her clarify what she wanted from life.

“I thought about what I had wanted to do when I was young and what I missed most when I was too busy to do it, and the answer was that I wanted to write,” she says. “I always liked to write, but I never had a chance to really spend time working at it.”

Rochester started writing articles for English-language outlets in Shanghai, attending writing classes and workshops, networking with others and, eventually, she says, “starting to think of myself as a writer.”

She took the “trailing spouse” label and combined it with her new passion to find two writing partners—one from Mexico and one from Kenya—who also had come to China because of their husbands’ jobs there. The three decided to write a book about other women from around the world and what their lives, hopes and dreams were like while living in China.

“We wrote about 34 women from 18 countries—some with advanced degrees, some who never went to college, entrepreneurs, mothers, women with executive jobs, women who chose to stay home—and every one of them was doing something valuable with her life,” Rochester says. “That’s one of our themes in the book, that everybody needs to find success in her own way. These women’s stories show that we can all reinvent ourselves.”

Each chapter in the book, titled Thrive, begins with a one-word summary of that woman’s personal story: Honesty, Confidence, Trust, Belief, Knowledge, Focus, among others. Each memoir is followed by a question designed to help the reader gain some insights into her own life, for example: Do you invest your time and energy in the things that really matter to you? What qualities do you possess that enable you to adapt to new situations?

Today, Rochester and her co-authors, one of whom also produced Thrive through her own publishing company, are still riding a wave of attention to the book. They give talks to interested groups—“People in China want to know about the women’s stories,” Rochester says. “When I come back to the U.S. and talk, people mostly want to know what life in China is like.”—and were featured in March at the Shanghai Literary Festival.

Since Thrive was published, Rochester has completed a book of poetry and is working on a similar book for young girls that will offer guidance on living “with intention and purpose,” she says.

She also does volunteer work in China with a foundation for children, and she and her husband, a Pan-Asian regional executive for a French-owned electrical manufacturing company, travel frequently. Her parents and two college-age children visit when they can, and she says living abroad has made her appreciate the importance of family more than ever.

Sometimes, she says, she thinks back to her former life and is astounded at how much has changed—not just her day-to-day activities but also her way of seeing the world and herself.

“I’m not what I do; I’m who I am,” Rochester says. “That was a big lesson for me, and I’m not sure I ever would have learned it if I hadn’t made this whole new life for myself. I think I’m proof that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.”

Article by Ann Manser, AS '73

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Lisa blunt rochester (1962- ).

Lisa LaTrelle Blunt Rochester has served in the cabinet of two Delaware governors, including five years as Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services and three years as the Secretary of Labor for Governor Tom Carper, and as State Personnel Director for Governor Ruth Ann Minner. She is the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in Congress.

Blunt was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 10, 1962 to Ted Blunt, a community activist and city councilman, and Alice LaTrelle, a retail worker. From the age of 7, she was raised in Wilmington’s Ninth Ward. She attended the University of Delaware, but in her sophomore year Blunt left school to marry and travel with her first husband, Alex Bradley, a professional basketball player.

In 1985, with a young son at home, Blunt Rochester completed a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She earned a master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware in 2002.

Pregnant with her second child in 1988, Blunt sought out a summer internship from then Congressman Carper during a town hall, which lead to a position as a constituent relations caseworker. Her career in politics advanced along with Carper’s as he became governor in 1992 and continued to progress under Minner’s 2001 governorship.

In 2003, she divorced and left government to take a position as the CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League.

Blunt married businessman Charles Rochester in 2006 and while living abroad once again, co-wrote Thrive: Thirty-four Women, Eighteen Countries, One Goal . The book, about women and re-invention, would be needed when her husband died unexpectedly in 2014 from blood clots.

Widowed, looking to start over, primed by her own time in government, her father’s 16 years on the Wilmington city council and 8 years as council president and concerned about the condition of her state and her country, Blunt Rochester decided to run for Congress in 2016. She won a four-way Democratic primary before besting Republican Hans Reigle in the general election to become Delaware’s At-large congressperson. She won a second term with over 60% of the vote in 2018.

Congresswoman Blunt Rochester focuses her attention on many areas including wage equality, the “future” of work, and reproductive rights. A respected voice in Congress on economic and work-related issues, she is assistant whip for House leadership; sits on the House Committee for Energy and Commerce; is a member of the bipartisan Heroin Task Force, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition’s Future of Work Taskforce. She founded the Congressional Future of Work Caucus.

Blunt Rochester resides in Wilmington near her son Alex and daughter Alyssa.

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Source of the author's information:.

U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester https://bluntrochester.house.gov/biography/ ; Larry Nagengast, “Lisa Blunt Rochester is Ready to Shake Things Up.” DelawareToday , June 5, 2017; http://www.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/June-2017/Lisa-Blunt-Rochester-is-Ready-to-Shake-Things-Up/; Adam Duvernay, “Running for Congress, Rochester Draws on Experience”, The News Journal , May 21, 2016 https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/politics/firststatepolitics/2016/05/21/running-congress-rochester-draws-strength-experience/84491194/ .

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Lisa blunt rochester.

• Democratic Party

Candidate, U.S. House Delaware At-large District

2017 - Present

Compensation

November 8, 2022

September 10, 2024

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Lisa Blunt Rochester ( Democratic Party ) is a member of the U.S. House , representing Delaware's At-Large Congressional District . She assumed office on January 3, 2017. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.

Rochester ( Democratic Party ) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Delaware's At-Large Congressional District . She declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on September 10, 2024 . [source]

Rochester is also running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Delaware. She declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on September 10, 2024 . [source]

Rochester was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2016, filling the seat of Democratic incumbent John Carney Jr. , who did not seek re-election. She most recently won re-election in 2022.

Rochester has been a member of the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

• 2.1.1 2017-2018
• 3.1 Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023
• 3.2 Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress
• 3.3 Key votes: 117th Congress, 2021-2023
• 3.4 Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2020
• 3.5 Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018
• 4.1.1 Endorsements
• 6 Notable endorsements
• 7 Campaign finance summary
• 9 External links
• 10 Footnotes

Below is an abbreviated outline of Rochester's academic, professional, and political career: [1]

• 2017-Present: U.S. Representative from Delaware's At-Large Congressional District
• 2004-2007: Chief executive, Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League
• 2001-2004: Personnel director, Delaware Office of Management and Budget
• 1998-2001: Delaware state secretary of labor
• 1993-1998: Deputy secretary, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
• 2003: Graduated from the University of Delaware in Newark with an M.A.
• 1985: Graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.A.

Committee assignments

Rochester was assigned to the following committees: [Source]

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
• Energy, Climate, and Grid Security
• Innovation, Data, and Commerce
• Environment and Climate Change

At the beginning of the 115th Congress , Blunt Rochester was assigned to the following committees: [2]

• Committee on Agriculture
• Committee on Education and the Workforce

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here .

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023

The 118th United States Congress began on January 3, 2023, at which point Republicans held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-212), and Democrats held the majority in the U.S. Senate (51-49). Joe Biden (D) was the president and Kamala Harris (D) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Key votes: 116th congress, 2019-2020.

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018

Voted Yea on:  Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Conference report) (HR 2)

Voted Nay on:  Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2 (second vote))

Voted Nay on:  Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (HR 4760)

Voted Yea on:  Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)

Voted Nay on:  Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36)

Voted Nay on:  Kate's Law (HR 3004)

Voted Nay on:  No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (HR 3003)

Voted Nay on:  American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)

Voted Yea on:  Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 6157)

Voted Yea on:  Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 5895)

Voted Yea on:  Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 6157)

Voted Nay on:  Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 5895)

Voted Yea on:  Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S 2155)

Voted Yea on:  Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)

Voted Yea on:  The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)

Voted Nay on:  Further Extension Of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1892)

Voted Nay on:  Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)

Voted Nay on:  Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)

Voted Nay on:  Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)

Voted Nay on:  Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (HJ Res 123)

Voted Nay on:  Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)

Voted Nay on:  Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3354)

Voted Yea on:  Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)

Voted Yea on:  Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 601)

Voted Nay on:  Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (HR 10)

Voted Yea on:  Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)

Voted Yea on:  National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515)

Did not vote on:  Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)

Voted Yea on:  National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018—Conference report (HR 2810)

Voted Nay on:  Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219)

Voted Yea on:  Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)

Voted Yea on:  Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180, second vote)

Voted Nay on:  Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180)

Voted Yea on:  National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)

Voted Yea on:  Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301)

See also:  United States Senate election in Delaware, 2024

General election

The primary will occur on September 10, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for U.S. Senate Delaware

Michael Katz is running in the general election for U.S. Senate Delaware on November 5, 2024.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for u.s. senate delaware.

Pamela Brown and Lisa Blunt Rochester are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Delaware on September 10, 2024.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for u.s. senate delaware.

Eric Hansen and William Taylor are running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Delaware on September 10, 2024.

See also:  United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, 2024

Delaware's At-Large Congressional District election, 2024 (September 10 Democratic primary)

Delaware's At-Large Congressional District election, 2024 (September 10 Republican primary)

The primary will occur on September 10, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District

Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester , Curtis Aiken , Alexander Geise , Sarah McBride , and Eugene Young are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 10, 2024.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Colleen Davis (D)

Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District

Donyale Hall is running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 10, 2024.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here .

See also:  United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, 2022

General election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on November 8, 2022.

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District.

The Republican primary election was canceled. Lee Murphy advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District.

• Christopher Hill (R)

See also:  United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, 2020

United States House election in Delaware, 2020 (September 15 Democratic primary)

United States House election in Delaware, 2020 (September 15 Republican primary)

Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester defeated Lee Murphy , Catherine Purcell , and David Rogers in the general election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on November 3, 2020.

• Anne Kerner (D)

Lee Murphy defeated Matthew Morris in the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 15, 2020.

Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester defeated Scott Walker in the general election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on November 6, 2018.

• Christopher Mockerman (Independent)

Incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 6, 2018.

Scott Walker defeated Lee Murphy in the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 6, 2018.

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent John Carney Jr. (D) did not seek re-election, leaving the seat open. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) defeated Hans Reigle (R), Scott Gesty (L), and Mark Joseph Perri (G) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Rochester defeated Bryan Townsend , Sean Barney , Michael Miller , Scott Walker , and Elias Weir in the Democratic primary on September 13, 2016. [77] [78] [79]

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses.

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Lisa Blunt Rochester has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Lisa Blunt Rochester asking her to fill out the survey . If you are Lisa Blunt Rochester, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey .

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You can ask Lisa Blunt Rochester to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing [email protected].

Lisa Blunt Rochester did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Lisa Blunt Rochester did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

The following issues were listed on Rochester's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here .

Notable endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage and endorsements scopes.

Campaign finance summary

2024 elections.

• Newsletters

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress , "BLUNT ROCHESTER, Lisa, (1962 - )," accessed January 13, 2017
• ↑ U.S. House Clerk , ""Official Alphabetical List of the House of Representatives of the United States One Hundred Fifteenth Congress,"" accessed February 2, 2017
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024," accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.185 - To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes." accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.2811 - Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.Con.Res.9 - Denouncing the horrors of socialism." accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.1 - Lower Energy Costs Act," accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.J.Res.30 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to 'Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights'." accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.J.Res.7 - Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020." accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.3746 - Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "Roll Call 20," accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.," accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "Roll Call 527," accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant." accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.Res.878 - Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives." accessed February 23, 2024
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.5376 - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.3617 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.1808 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "S.1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.7776 - James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "S.3373 - Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.4346 - Chips and Science Act," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.3755 - Women's Health Protection Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.1996 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.2471 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.8404 - Respect for Marriage Act," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.6833 - Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.7688 - Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.5746 - Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "S.2938 - Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.Res.24 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.," accessed April 15, 2022
• ↑ Congress.gov , "H.R.2617 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed December 13, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 284," June 21, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 282," June 21, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed March 12, 2019
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 549," October 3, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 344," June 29, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 342," June 29, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 256," May 4, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 405," September 26, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 399," September 13, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 313," June 28, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 257," June 8, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 216," May 22, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 127," March 22, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 69," February 9, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 60," February 6, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 44," January 22, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 33," January 18, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 708," December 21, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 692," December 19, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 670," December 7, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 637," November 16, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 589," October 26, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 557," October 5, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 528," September 14, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 480," September 8, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 441," September 6, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 299," June 8, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 249," May 3, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 230," May 24, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 49," January 30, 2018
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 631," November 14, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 435," July 27, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 413," July 25, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 437," July 28, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 407," July 24, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 378," July 14, 2017
• ↑ Clerk.House.gov , "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 136," March 8, 2017
• ↑ Delaware Secretary of State , "Primary election candidates," accessed July 13, 2016
• ↑ Delaware Secretary of State , "General election candidates," accessed July 13, 2016
• ↑ Politico , "Delaware House Primary Results," September 13, 2016
• ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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Delaware’s Only House Member Enters Senate Race, Becoming Instant Favorite

Lisa Blunt Rochester, the handpicked successor to retiring Senator Thomas R. Carper, would be the third Black woman in history to win a Senate seat.

By Luke Broadwater

Reporting from Washington

Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat, announced her campaign on Wednesday for the Delaware Senate seat being vacated by Senator Thomas R. Carper, beginning as the favorite in a race that could make her the third Black woman in U.S. history to win election to the Senate.

Ms. Blunt Rochester, 61, a close ally of President Biden’s, made a 3.5-minute biographical video that focuses on her faith, how she overcame the untimely death of her husband and her experience during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, when she prayed while trapped in the House balcony as rioters laid siege to the building.

“The run for the Senate for me is also about protecting our democracy, and that includes voting rights, and also for protecting our freedoms, like reproductive rights,” Ms. Blunt Rochester said in an interview.

Ms. Blunt Rochester is the only House member in Delaware, a deep-blue state in which the winner of the Democratic primary will be heavily favored to win the general election. Powerful Democrats, including Mr. Carper, for whom Ms. Blunt Rochester once interned, and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, have indicated support for her candidacy. Mr. Carper said he would do everything in his power to ensure that she won .

If elected, Ms. Blunt Rochester, who previously served as Delaware’s labor secretary, deputy secretary of health and social services, and state personnel director, would be the state’s first female senator and first Black senator.

She said her first priority would be to push for passage of voting rights legislation, and advocate for eliminating the legislative filibuster to make that possible.

During her four terms in the House, Mr. Biden has counted on Ms. Blunt Rochester as a close adviser. She was national co-chairwoman of Mr. Biden’s presidential campaign and is known to keep the president abreast of happenings on Capitol Hill.

“When he would call me, he was getting a real broad lay of the land of what’s happening in the House,” she said of Mr. Biden.

Ms. Blunt Rochester is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the more centrist New Democrat Coalition. She has also served in leadership.

She said she felt she had the president’s encouragement to run.

“It was more us having a conversation about making sure that there was representation in the Senate,” she recalled. “He didn’t say, ‘Hey, Lisa, you should run for Senate.’ He said, ‘Lisa, whatever you decide to do, I think you would be great at it.’”

Shortly after Mr. Carper announced his retirement, Mr. Schumer spoke by phone with Ms. Blunt Rochester and told her he believed that she could be a very good senator, according to an aide to the top Democrat.

“It was just a very encouraging call, just saying he was looking forward to having a longer and deeper conversation with me, but that he was very excited about the potential of me running,” Ms. Blunt Rochester said.

Luke Broadwater covers Congress. He was the lead reporter on a series of investigative articles at The Baltimore Sun that won a Pulitzer Prize and a George Polk Award in 2020. More about Luke Broadwater

Watch CBS News

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware launches historic bid for Senate

By Nikole Killion

June 21, 2023 / 8:02 AM EDT / CBS News

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester made history as the first woman and first African-American to represent Delaware when she won a seat in Congress in 2017. Now she hopes to make history again, if she's elected as the state's first African-American female U.S. senator.

"Representing the First State has been the honor of my life," Blunt Rochester said. "I look forward to continuing to represent and deliver for all of Delaware from Wilmington and New Castle County,to Kent County, and down to Sussex County in the United States Senate."

The 61-year-old lawmaker announced her Senate candidacy in a video Wednesday morning. The ad, dubbed "Bright Hope," centers around her upbringing in a local church where her grandmother worshiped.

"I'm running to represent Delaware in the United States Senate ... filled with a Bright Hope for our future," she says as piano music softly plays. "A more perfect union isn't a destination. It's a journey. Let's go on it together."

Blunt Rochester reflected on her experience hunched down in prayer in the House gallery on January 6, calling it her "worst day" but one of her "proudest moments". She also touched on the unexpected loss of her husband, Charles, in 2014. She said his sudden passing after suffering a torn Achilles tendon and blood clots motivated her initial Congressional bid.

"And then he was gone. And for a while, I was gone too," she recalled. "But one thing Charles always said was, 'You gotta get your mind right.' So I did. I decided to run for Congress."

Promoting a jobs and healthcare agenda, the three-term Democrat is running for the seat that will be vacated by Sen. Tom Carper. He  announced his retirement last month and endorsed Blunt Rochester, who worked for him when he was a congressman and governor.

He remembers when she approached him at a town hall to inquire about an internship in his office. "(She) was there with her baby daughter with her and she was expecting a baby son," Carper told CBS News. "She introduced herself." 

Blunt Rochester rose through the ranks to serve as Delaware's secretary of labor, deputy secretary of Health and Social Services and state personnel director. She currently serves as the co-chair  of President Biden's re-election campaign. 

There are no Black women in the U.S Senate. If elected, she would become the third African-American woman in the upper chamber, following Carol Mosley Braun, of Illinois, and Vice President Kamala Harris. 

At least three other Black women are running for Senate in Democratic primaries in 2024, including Rep. Barbara Lee, who is seeking to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein in California,  Angela Alsobrooks, a county executive in Maryland and Pamela Pugh, a state education board president in Michigan.  

Nikole Killion is a congressional correspondent for CBS News based in Washington D.C.

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Lisa Blunt Rochester

Lisa Blunt Rochester has served as the U.S. representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district since 2017. She is the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in Congress. During her swearing-in, she carried a scarf imprinted with the Reconstruction Era voter registration card of her great-great-great-grandfather, who had been a slave.

Blunt Rochester was born on February 10, 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. She received her bachelor's degree in international relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her master's degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware.

After interning for U.S. Rep. Tom Carper in 1989, Blunt Rochester worked for him as a constituent relations caseworker and on his transition team when he was elected governor of Delaware. Carper appointed her deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services in 1993 and secretary of the Department of Labor in 1998. In 2001, Governor Ruth Ann Minner named Blunt Rochester the state personnel director. In 2004, she left public service to become CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. She also later served as the senior executive leadership and systems manager for the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

During Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, Blunt Rochester served as one of the campaign co-chairs and as a member of the vetting committee for the vice presidential candidate selection.

For information on Blunt Rochester's policy subject areas, committee appointments and sponsored/co-sponsored legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, please visit her profile on https://www.congress.gov.

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. (n.d.). Blunt Rochester, Lisa. Retrieved on Dec. 21, 2022, from https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B001303.

U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester. (n.d.) Biography. Retrieved on Dec. 21, 2022, from https://bluntrochester.house.gov/biography.

Ballotpedia. (n.d.). Lisa Blunt Rochester. Retrieved on Dec. 21, 2022, from https://ballotpedia.org/Lisa_Blunt_Rochester.

• 2020 Democratic National Convention Speech - Aug. 18, 2020
• Celebratory Win of House Seat - November 8, 2016

Neither the Catt Center nor Iowa State University is affiliated with any individual in the Archives or any political party. Inclusion in the Archives is not an endorsement by the center or the university.

• Lisa Blunt Rochester, who turned tragedy into purpose, aims to join historic shortlist of Black female US senators

A s part of theGrio’s “Running Black” election series, we sit down with U.S. Rep. Blunt Rochester, who is running to become the first Black American from Delaware elected to the U.S. Senate.

TheGrio’s “Running Black” election series profiles Black candidates running for office in the 2024 election s.  If successful, each candidate profiled could make history   in their state. Hear from them in their own words about what’s at stake in their races, for the country, and for Black and brown communities on the   political margin .

After serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., is ready for higher office. 

The current Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Delaware told theGrio she believes she could have a “greater impact” in the upper chamber of Congress. “Democracy is on the line,” Blunt Rochester said of the 2024 elections.

If her campaign is successful, Blunt Rochester would become the first woman, Black person, and person of color to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Delaware. The seasoned public servant said that, if elected to the Senate, she would continue to focus on job growth and the economy, reproductive rights, and strengthening the nation’s health care system, including lowering medical drug prices. 

Blunt Rochester, 62, said she is “proud” of the work she has been able to do as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where she has served since 2017. She said one of the “highlights” of working in Congress has been “fighting for the passage of both the bipartisan infrastructure law and elements of the Build Back Better Act,” the Inflation Reduction Act.

“We ended up with the greatest investment in climate in the history of this country,” she said of critical investments, which “allowed us to lower costs” for Americans, particularly seniors.

While Blunt Rochester has experienced some victories working in the U.S. House, she also experienced one of Capitol Hill’s darkest moments in U.S. history.

The Democratic lawmaker recounted witnessing the Jan. 6, 2021 , insurrection when a mob of supporters for former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol to prevent the transfer of power from Trump to then-President-elect Joe Biden.

“It was a traumatic day for our country,” she said. “But the fact that we went back in that night and certified the election and did our job also was the most uplifting night for me.”

Blunt Rochester, who has spent decades committed to serving others, began her political career as an intern and caseworker for then-U.S. Rep. Tom Carper, D-Del., who became the state’s governor and U.S. senator. 

Blunt Rochester later worked as a cabinet member for Governors Carper and Ruth Ann Minner. She notably served as Delaware’s secretary of labor, deputy secretary of health and social services, and state personnel director.

After winning her House race in 2016, Blunt Rochester became the first woman and person of color elected to represent Delaware in Congress.

She told theGrio she was inspired to run for office following her husband’s death in 2014.

“I was a widow, not sure what I was going to do next with my life,” said the congresswoman. “This moment changed everything for me.”

One day, she was in a local grocery store and saw a father with children return a bag of grapes because they cost $9.

“It shook me to my core, and at that moment, I realized people are struggling, but I’m still alive. I can still serve,” she said. “So, I decided to run for Congress.”

In 2023, incumbent Senator Carper announced that he would not seek re-election, prompting Blunt Rochester to throw her hat in the race.

On Sept. 10, Blunt Rochester will face off against Democratic candidate Pamela Brown in the Democratic primary to determine who will be on the ballot for the 2024 general election on Nov. 5. She said she believes she is the right person for the job because of her “record of accomplishments that are based on the needs of Delawareans.”

“ That’s why I’m in the [Congressional] Progressive Caucus, the New Dems, the Women’s Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and an assistant whip,” Blunt Rochester said of her congressional resume.

Blunt Rochester said she has a great rapport with her constituents, so much so that she shares a unique chant with them.

“I yell to the crowd ‘when Lisa goes to Washington,’ then they yell back ‘we all go to Washington,’” she shared. “I want to make sure that all Delawareans are seen and heard and represented. That’s what I’ll continue to do in the Senate.”

If elected, Blunt Rochester would join a shortlist of Black women to serve in the U.S. Senate. Currently, Senator Laphonza Butler , D-Calif, is the only Black woman in the Senate. After the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Butler was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2023 to temporarily hold the seat until after the general election on Nov. 5. 

There have only been two other Black women to serve in the Senate. Carol Moseley Braun was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Illinois from 1993 to 1999. Vice President Kamala Harris was the second Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, representing California from 2017 to 2021.

“We need to have representation in the Senate,” said Blunt Rochester, who acknowledged, “It is an honor should it happen.”

She added, “It’s also a responsibility that I don’t take lightly because I know others are watching, and it’s a necessity that our voices be heard.”

Never miss a beat:  Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrio’s newsletter .

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The post Lisa Blunt Rochester, who turned tragedy into purpose, aims to join historic shortlist of Black female US senators appeared first on TheGrio .

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Lisa Blunt Rochester, who turned tragedy into purpose, aims to join historic shortlist of Black female US senators

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

As part of theGrio’s “Running Black” election series, we sit down with U.S. Rep. Blunt Rochester, who is running to become the first Black American from Delaware elected to the U.S. Senate.

TheGrio’s “Running Black” election series profiles Black candidates running for office in the 2024 election s.  If successful, each candidate profiled could make history   in their state. Hear from them in their own words about what’s at stake in their races, for the country, and for Black and brown communities on the   political margin .

After serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester , D-Del., is ready for higher office.

The current Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Delaware told theGrio she believes she could have a “greater impact” in the upper chamber of Congress. “Democracy is on the line,” Blunt Rochester said of the 2024 elections.

If her campaign is successful, Blunt Rochester would become the first woman, Black person, and person of color to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Delaware. The seasoned public servant said that, if elected to the Senate, she would continue to focus on job growth and the economy, reproductive rights, and strengthening the nation’s health care system, including lowering medical drug prices.

Blunt Rochester, 62, said she is “proud” of the work she has been able to do as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where she has served since 2017. She said one of the “highlights” of working in Congress has been “fighting for the passage of both the bipartisan infrastructure law and elements of the Build Back Better Act,” the Inflation Reduction Act.

“We ended up with the greatest investment in climate in the history of this country,” she said of critical investments, which “allowed us to lower costs” for Americans, particularly seniors.

While Blunt Rochester has experienced some victories working in the U.S. House, she also experienced one of Capitol Hill’s darkest moments in U.S. history.

The Democratic lawmaker recounted witnessing the Jan. 6, 2021 , insurrection when a mob of supporters for former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol to prevent the transfer of power from Trump to then-President-elect Joe Biden.

“It was a traumatic day for our country,” she said. “But the fact that we went back in that night and certified the election and did our job also was the most uplifting night for me.”

Blunt Rochester, who has spent decades committed to serving others, began her political career as an intern and caseworker for then-U.S. Rep. Tom Carper, D-Del., who became the state’s governor and U.S. senator.

Blunt Rochester later worked as a cabinet member for Governors Carper and Ruth Ann Minner. She notably served as Delaware’s secretary of labor, deputy secretary of health and social services, and state personnel director.

After winning her House race in 2016, Blunt Rochester became the first woman and person of color elected to represent Delaware in Congress.

She told theGrio she was inspired to run for office following her husband’s death in 2014.

“I was a widow, not sure what I was going to do next with my life,” said the congresswoman. “This moment changed everything for me.”

One day, she was in a local grocery store and saw a father with children return a bag of grapes because they cost $9.

“It shook me to my core, and at that moment, I realized people are struggling, but I’m still alive. I can still serve,” she said. “So, I decided to run for Congress.”

In 2023, incumbent Senator Carper announced that he would not seek re-election, prompting Blunt Rochester to throw her hat in the race.

On Sept. 10, Blunt Rochester will face off against Democratic candidate Pamela Brown in the Democratic primary to determine who will be on the ballot for the 2024 general election on Nov. 5. She said she believes she is the right person for the job because of her “record of accomplishments that are based on the needs of Delawareans.”

“ That’s why I’m in the [Congressional] Progressive Caucus, the New Dems, the Women’s Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and an assistant whip,” Blunt Rochester said of her congressional resume.

Blunt Rochester said she has a great rapport with her constituents, so much so that she shares a unique chant with them.

“I yell to the crowd ‘when Lisa goes to Washington,’ then they yell back ‘we all go to Washington,’” she shared. “I want to make sure that all Delawareans are seen and heard and represented. That’s what I’ll continue to do in the Senate.”

If elected, Blunt Rochester would join a shortlist of Black women to serve in the U.S. Senate. Currently, Senator Laphonza Butler , D-Calif, is the only Black woman in the Senate. After the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Butler was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2023 to temporarily hold the seat until after the general election on Nov. 5.

There have only been two other Black women to serve in the Senate. Carol Moseley Braun was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Illinois from 1993 to 1999. Vice President Kamala Harris was the second Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, representing California from 2017 to 2021.

“We need to have representation in the Senate,” said Blunt Rochester, who acknowledged, “It is an honor should it happen.”

She added, “It’s also a responsibility that I don’t take lightly because I know others are watching, and it’s a necessity that our voices be heard.”

Never miss a beat:  Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrio’s newsletter .

The post Lisa Blunt Rochester, who turned tragedy into purpose, aims to join historic shortlist of Black female US senators appeared first on TheGrio .

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Lisa Blunt Rochester Is (Very Likely) Headed to the Senate

More often than not, when a very senior U.S. senator retires, there’s a mad scramble of frustrated would-be senators trying to take advantage of the rare opening. In 2024, there are already very tense Democratic primaries unfolding for the seat that Dianne Feinstein of California has held since 1992 and the one Ben Cardin of Maryland has held since 2007.

You would expect the same to be the case in Delaware upon the retirement of four-term Democratic senator Tom Carper . The First State notoriously has a logjam of Democratic politicians thanks to its size and partisan leanings: With just three counties and one U.S. House seat, there are plenty of elected officials at any given moment who have experience in running statewide. Carper, in fact, won his first statewide contest to become state treasurer in 1976 . In 1992, after five terms in the U.S. House, Carper won his penultimate office by essentially switching jobs with term-limited Republican governor Mike Castle . (Carper moved on to the Senate when he was term-limited in 2000 and was succeeded for two terms by Ruth Ann Minner , who had been elected twice as lieutenant governor.)

Now, however, the political heavens appear to have opened for current congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester to succeed Carper in the Senate, reflecting her longtime status as a Carper protégée with many friends in Delaware government and politics. Her first public-sector gig was as an intern in Carper’s U.S. House office, and she later served his gubernatorial administration in two major agency positions, including secretary of labor (she was also state personnel director under Minner). After a stint as CEO of the Urban League affiliate in Wilmington, she relocated to China with her soon-to-be husband, Charles Rochester, and then co-authored a book entitled Thrive about women who reinvented themselves. She had to do so herself when her husband suddenly died and she wound up running for the U.S. House in 2016, surviving in a crowded primary.

Aside from her Carper connection, Blunt Rochester served as an adviser to Joe Biden during his 2020 presidential campaign, particularly when he was vetting vice-presidential possibilities.

The likelihood that she will avoid a difficult primary was illustrated by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is all but treating her as a senator-elect though she hasn’t yet announced her candidacy, even informally, as Politico reported :

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke to Blunt Rochester on Monday after Carper’s announcement. Schumer told her “he believes she could be a really good senator and he looks forward to sitting down with her soon,” a Schumer spokesperson said.

Carper, even more than Biden, had a strong reputation as a party centrist in his many years in state and national politics. Blunt Rochester, who takes a very nuts-and-bolts, hands-on approach to politicking, may be more in the broader party mainstream: She is a member of both the Progressive Caucus and the New Democrat Coalition.

Presumably, Delaware Republicans will put up a credible candidate for this open seat in 2024, but since 2018, Democrats have held all nine statewide offices, and Republicans haven’t won a Senate race in Delaware since 1994. This has become a very blue state, and with Biden at the head of the ticket, 2024 seems an unlikely year for a breakthrough. Assuming she does win, Blunt Rochester will gain immediate attention as just the third Black woman elected to the upper chamber. If the national Democratic ticket prevails as well, she’ll be sworn into office by the second Black woman elected to the Senate, Vice-President Kamala Harris . And it’s possible she’ll be joined in taking the oath by another Black woman and a current House colleague, California’s Barbara Lee.

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Lisa Blunt Rochester

Delaware (DE) – At Large, Democrat

Hometown: Wilmington

Oath of Office: Jan. 07, 2023

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Former Wilmington council president, father to congresswoman dies Thursday

Former Wilmington City Council President Ted Blunt and father of Delaware Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester died overnight Thursday.

Blunt Rochester's office issued a statement Friday announcing her father's death. Blunt was 80 years old.

“It is with a heavy heart that the Blunt family announces the passing of former Wilmington City Council President Ted Blunt," the statement reads. “Mr. Blunt, aged 80, was at home, surrounded by love, and passed peacefully during the late evening hours of January 11th."

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alice; his brother, John; his sister, Catherine; three daughters, Lisa, Thea and Marla; two sons-in-law; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

The governor has ordered Delaware flags to be lowered to half-mast at state facilities on the day of the funeral.

A decadeslong political career

Blunt was first elected to Wilmington City Council's 1st District in 1985, serving until 2000, when he was elected as council president. He then served two terms in the council leadership position. In 2008, Blunt declared his intention to run for lieutenant governor. However, he later chose to call off the campaign, citing money and party unity.

Following his time on the City Council, Blunt also toyed with the idea of running for Wilmington mayor, according to Delaware Online/The News Journal archives.

In 2018, the council unveiled the Commemorative Wall that highlights various council sessions and its respective leaders, a concept that was the vision of Blunt, Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver said at the time.

"He was an educator, mentor, leader, and friend to countless Delawareans," the statement continued. "Our entire family asks for your grace, prayers, and privacy as we mourn his loss.” 

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki on Friday ordered that all city flags be flown at half-staff and recalled Blunt's time as a "committed public servant, skilled politician, gifted athlete and dedicated educator."

The mayor said during Blunt's time in city office, he "led by example and, with selflessness and grace, worked to forge consensus among" council members and create partnerships citywide.

"With a smile as big as his heart, he was a rare politician who seemingly had not one single enemy.

“Above all, Ted was deeply devoted to his family, and it is with them that our hearts rest on this sad day," Purzycki said in an emailed statement. "Wilmington is unlikely to see such a man of character and force for good as Ted Blunt anytime soon, if ever, and he leaves behind a city that is unquestionably better for his passion and his service.“

2024 ELECTION: Lisa Blunt Rochester, Delaware's sole congresswoman, will run to fill Carper's Senate seat

Blunt was inducted into the Blue-Gold Basketball All-Star Hall of Fame at Bob Carpenter Center, and beyond his political efforts was featured in the Delaware News Journal for his fashion sense in 2010 as well as his iconic orange '71 Volkswagen Beetle.

Blunt is a graduate of Winston-Salem Teachers College, now known as Winston-Salem State University, and Rutgers University, according to Blunt Rochester's office.

Elected leaders pay respect

President Joe Biden said in a statement Friday: "Jill and I have known and loved Ted Blunt for decades. Over the years, the Blunts and the Bidens became family. You didn’t have to know Ted as long or as well as we have known him to witness his kindness, optimism, and selflessness. When you saw Ted’s big smile, you couldn’t help but smile, too. He had a gentle way about him, and just being near him made you feel joy."

On the City Council, Blunt helped lead Wilmington "with passion and compassion," Biden said.

Biden also praised Blunt as a family man. "Ted’s dedication to the most vulnerable among us was matched only by his deep devotion to his family," Biden said.

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons said Blunt helped him "believe it was possible to be in politics and still not lose sight of what matters to you the most: your family." He extended his thoughts to the Blunt family during this time.

2014 MAYORAL RACE: Former Wilmington council president Ted Blunt weighs in on candidates

"Ted confronted each moment, big or small, with his infectious smile and determination to accomplish what was just and necessary for the greater good. He’ll be remembered for his dedication and steadfast commitment to the communities that he served, as well as his excellence on the basketball court," Coons said in an emailed statement Friday. "His leadership on the court later transitioned to leading underserved neighborhoods throughout Wilmington. It is no coincidence that his passion for, and legacy of, helping others can be seen through his children."

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper said he had known Blunt for more than 30 years, working "to make Wilmington and New Castle County a better place to live and work."

"He was also the best basketball player I’ve ever stepped foot on a court with!" Carper said in a statement Friday. "Ted was a devoted husband who, with his wife Alice, helped raise three of the most amazing daughters a father could ask for, and I was privileged to hire one of his daughters as an intern many years ago. He had a remarkable life and Delaware is a better place because of his work and devotion to the First State.”

ELECTION YEAR IS NEAR: Here are the dates to remember for Delaware's 2024 elections

Gov. John Carney said in an official statement that he "was proud to count (Blunt Rochester) as one of (his) friends."

"Ted was a devoted husband and father, and a true public servant who cared deeply about his community," Carney said.

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer also extended his condolences to Blunt Rochester and the Blunt family, recognizing Blunt's contributions and legacy extending beyond his work in city government.

“Ted was a teacher, a basketball star and of course a loving father to his daughters. He has been a mentor to me and will be missed by those who knew him, and those whose lives his legacy impacted.”

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

The Honorable Lisa Blunt Rochester U.S. Congresswoman, Assistant Whip for House Leadership, Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves as an Assistant Whip for House Leadership. Lisa sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The committee has broad jurisdiction over health care, the environment, commerce and trade, energy policy, telecommunications, manufacturing, and consumer protection.

As the Energy and Commerce Committee’s only former statewide health official, Lisa understands health care from a number of different perspectives – as an implementer at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, negotiator while serving as State Personnel Director, and advocate as CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. Lisa is focused on reducing the cost of health care and prescription drugs for middle-class families, addressing the disparity in outcomes for communities of color, and tackling our nation’s opioid and addiction epidemic. She serves as a Member of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, comprised of more than 100 members united with the common goal of tackling opioid addiction.

Lisa is a leading voice in Congress on economic and future of work-related issues. As former Secretary of Labor and State Personnel Director, Lisa leverages her professional experience to advocate for legislation that boosts start-up business growth, removes barriers for citizens re-entering society, and addresses college affordability and ballooning student debt. She is a Member of the New Democrat Coalition’s Future of Work Taskforce and serves as the sole Member of Congress on the Aspen Institute’s National Advisory Council for the Future of Work Initiative. She is also the founder of the Congressional Future of Work Caucus.

In the 115th Congress, Lisa was a member of the House Committee on Agriculture – the first Delawarean to serve on the committee in over 120 years. In this role, she helped craft the 2018 Farm Bill, which is a five-year re-authorization that extends U.S. Department of Agriculture programs related to the farm safety net; nutrition programs that feed children, seniors, people with disabilities, and families who rely on the social support programs; land-grant and 1890 universities; and agriculture research.

As a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a strong proponent of reforming our criminal justice system, Lisa introduced first-in-the-nation legislation, the Clean Slate Act, sealing the federal records of former nonviolent offenders that remain crime-free and have earned a second chance. This bill would provide new opportunities for Americans to earn a good-paying job, pursue education and training, and rent or own a home. According to estimates by the Center for American Progress, the passage of the Clean Slate Act could boost the U.S. economy by as much as $87 billion per year.

Traveling up and down the state, Lisa is an advocate for the needs of every community, which informs her work in Washington. Having met with homeowners in the South Shore Marina development in North Bethany Beach, she learned of an error in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s coastal mapping unit for the town – preventing homeowners from taking advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA aid in the event of a disaster. Turning their concerns into action, Lisa reached across the aisle to work with Democrats and Republicans across the country with similarly affected mapping units and introduced the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act. She worked with allies in Delaware and Washington to help usher this critical piece of legislation into law – aiding homeowners and setting aside hundreds of acres for environmental protection.

With deep roots in the First State, Lisa grew up in Wilmington, graduated from Padua Academy, and worked her first job at the McDonald’s on Market Street. She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in International Relations and put herself through graduate school as a working mom – earning a master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware.

Lisa began her distinguished career in public service as an intern and later Caseworker in a congressional office where she helped Delawareans with their Social Security benefits, disability insurance claims, IRS disputes, and housing needs. Lisa would go on to serve in the cabinets of two Delaware governors and as CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League – an action-oriented, public policy research think-tank.  Lisa also served as the Senior Executive Leadership and Systems Manager for the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she advocated for people with disabilities in their struggle for equal opportunity and civil rights. During this time, Lisa helped expand the Institute’s global footprint and advised state agencies and employers. In part due to Lisa’s work, she helped build the Institute into a fully-fledged college at the university, the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development — focused on the inclusion of all people.

Lisa currently resides in Wilmington, Delaware near her adult-aged children, Alex and Alyssa, as well as her daughter-in-law, Ebony.

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PHOTO RELEASE: Blunt Rochester Announces Federal Investment in Affordable Child Care

WILMINGTON, Del. - Today, Monday, April 1, 2024, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) announced $1 million in Community Project Funding for St. Michael’s School and Nursery in Wilmington. This investment will hel...

PHOTO RELEASE: Rep. Blunt Rochester Tours Federal Investment in Middletown’s Wastewater Infrastructure

MIDDLETOWN, Del. - Today, Monday, April 1, 2024, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) joined Middletown Mayor Kenneth L. Branner, Jr. and Dr. Kevin Spence with the Delaware League of Local Governments for a tour ...

ICYMI: During Blood Clot Awareness Month, Rep. Blunt Rochester Unveils Toolkit on Blood Clot Awareness, Action, and Advocacy

In Case You Missed It, last week, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) unveiled a comprehensive toolkit titled “Blood Clot Awareness, Action, and Advocacy: The Toolkit.” This document contains information on blood...

Rep. Blunt Rochester Announces Opening of Preliminary Community Project Funding Applications Through Her Office

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) announced that preliminary Community Project Funding (CPF) applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025) appropriation...

Reps. Blunt Rochester, Holmes Norton Celebrate President Biden’s Message on Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) join in celebrating a message from President Joseph Biden recognizing Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day on ...

PHOTO RELEASE: Rep. Blunt Rochester Visits Fujifilm to Highlight Workforce Development and Supply Chain Efforts

Left to right: Nicholas Griner, Karlton Williams, Brent Wright, Michelle Kelley, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Melissa Toledo, Steve Sharpe, Dwayne Turaskus NEW CASTLE, Del. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester ...

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Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester

Lisa Blunt Rochester

Lisa LaTrelle Blunt Rochester is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the first woman and first African American to represent Delaware in Congress. She is a candidate in the 2024 election for Delaware in the United States Senate. Wikipedia*

On the C-SPAN Networks: Lisa Blunt Rochester has 132 videos in the C-SPAN Video Library; the first appearance was a 2016 Interview as a U.S. Representative-Elect. The year with the most videos was 2021 with 26 videos. The year with the highest average number of views per program was 2020 with an average of 4,490 views per program. Most appearances with Sheila Jackson Lee ( 5 ), Joyce Beatty ( 5 ), Terri Sewell ( 5 ). Most common tags: House of Representatives , Voters & Registration , Presidential Nomination .

Recent Appearances

House Session

The House considered three bills opposing the Biden administration’s energy policies, including approval of a measure rejecti…

Utility Leaders Testify on Electric Grid Reliability and Affordability

State public utility commissioners from Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Indiana testified on electricity demand and affordabi…

House Session, Part 2

After months of investigation and nearly three hours of floor debate, the House failed (214-216) to impeach Homeland Security…

After approving the debate rules for a fiscal year 2024 Department of the Treasury and White House spending bill, lawmakers c…

Medicare Payment Systems and Health Care Access, Part 1

Health care professionals and advocates testified on ways to improve Medicare recipients' access to care at a House Energy an…

House Session, Part 3

The House reconvened for one-minute and special order speeches. Behind the scenes, Republicans continued negotiations on a fi…

Appearance Stats

• Filter By All Event Types House Proceeding - 63 House Committee - 52 Congressional News Conference - 4 Forum - 3 Ceremony - 2 Public Affairs Event - 2 Call-In - 1 Convention - 1 House Highlight - 1 Interview - 1 News Conference - 1 Speech - 1
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Member of Congress Record

Ideology data is based on DW-NOMINATE statistics developed by Keith Poole and Howard Rosenthal. More information can be found at Voteview .

• House Energy and Commerce Videos: 5 See all videos
• Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
• Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Videos: 1 See all videos
• Health Videos: 2 See all videos
• Voting Record: 97.7% Recorded Votes (809) Missed Votes (19)
• Votes Against Party Majority: 0
• See 370 Party Line Votes
• See 43 Featured Votes

Floor Activity

• Days on Floor: 6
• One Minute Speeches: 1
• Special Orders: 1
• Total Time Speaking: 15 minutes
• Common Floor Remark Topics:
• Bills Sponsored: 24 See Bills
• Bills Passed: 0
• Bills Failed: 0
• Commonly Sponsored Bill Policy Areas: Commerce Health Civil rights and liberties, minority issues Crime and law enforcement Labor and employment
• Commonly Sponsored Bill Legislative Topics: Internet, web applications, social media Labor market Minority education Health care quality Food industry and services
• Amendments: 1 See Amendments
• Amendments Passed: 0
• Amendments Failed: 0
• Bills Co-Sponsored: 217 See Co-Sponsored Bills
• Commonly Co-Sponsored Bill Policy Areas: Congress Crime and law enforcement Health Energy Education
• Commonly Co-Sponsored Bill Topics: Government information and archives Congressional oversight Health care coverage and access Health programs administration and funding Government studies and investigations

HONORARY MEMBER

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves as an Assistant Whip for House Leadership. She serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. As the Energy and Commerce Committee’s only former statewide health official, Lisa understands health care from a number of different perspectives – as an implementer at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, negotiator while serving as State Personnel Director, and advocate as CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. She is focused on reducing the cost of health care and prescription drugs for middle-class families, addressing the disparity in outcomes for communities of color, and tackling our nation’s opioid and addiction epidemic. Soror Blunt Rochester is a leading voice in Congress on economics and the future of work-related issues. In addition, she is a Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Future of Work Task Force and serves as the sole Member of Congress on the Aspen Institute’s National Advisory Council for the Future of Work Initiative.