Blunt Rochester Joined Host Zerlina Maxwell Ahead of Debate Between Tim Walz and JD Vance

Wilmington, Del. —  In case you missed it, yesterday, Lisa Blunt Rochester joined Zerlina Maxwell on “Mornings with Zerlina” to discuss her race, the stakes of 2024, and the vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance. Blunt Rochester — Delaware’s Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate and national co-chair for the Harris-Walz Campaign — reflected on her role in selecting Harris as Joe Biden’s running mate in 2020, and shared her own priorities for the Senate. She also emphasized Tim Walz’s record of accomplishments and his character as a public servant. Her interview came just hours before Walz delivered a debate performance that showcased his leadership, vision, and “joyful warrior” spirit.

On what she expected to see from Tim Walz in the debate:  

• “I think you’re going to see Governor Walz and that joyful warrior spirit. I also think you’re going to see on display a real public servant. We know that he has a record of accomplishments as governor: whether it’s on [protecting] reproductive rights in Minnesota, providing and expanding affordable health care by capping the cost of insulin for Minnesotans, […] or investing in affordable housing.” 

On her relationship with Tim Walz after their service on the House Agriculture Committee:

• “I got a chance to know him personally because during my first term in Congress, back in 2017, [we] served on the Agriculture Committee. [He is] this person who is humble, salt of the earth — a proven leader, who has been a coach, who is a veteran, who is a dad, [and] who has governed and has passed legislation.”

On what the candidates’ choices for running mates say about their visions for this country:  

• “Ultimately, [their choice of running mate] is a representation of who Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are. This is the first really big decision that a presidential candidate makes, and it says really more about who they are, and more about Kamala Harris because she picked this incredible, incredible person to serve as her running mate.”

On the contrast in priorities between the Harris-Walz campaign and the Trump-Vance campaign, who have unsuccessfully tried to skirt their connection to Project 2025: 

• “The Harris-Walz campaign is talking about an opportunity economy, whereas JD Vance might not want to talk about Project 2025…”

On her being moved by Tim Walz sharing his family’s infertility journey and her own personal connection to the IVF treatments that made her a grandmother: 

• “When [Gov. Walz] talked about his family’s struggles with having his children, I was reminded of the things that, during this campaign in Delaware, [we’ve talked about]. 
  
  “I’ve been fortunate to be the Congresswoman, Secretary of Labor, Urban League CEO, but the best title I’ve ever received is grandmother. And I would not have that title if it were not for IVF. 
  
  “[Tonight], you’re going to see a man who comes before the American people with compassion, competence, and real, true grit.”

On her service to Delaware as Congresswoman and how she hopes to build on her record of accomplishments in the Senate: 

• “Being in this role has brought my joy back. 
  
  “Being of service: working on jobs and the economy, working on affordable healthcare, and being on [the Health] subcommittee working to cap the cost of insulin, bringing clean drinking water to communities in my state that didn’t have it. This work has brought my joy back, but in the Senate, I believe I can go deeper in this work.”

On the importance of protecting our democracy and taking nothing for granted in 2024:

• “I was one of the people trapped up in the gallery on January 6. So, I want people to recognize that nothing is a given. Delaware votes blue, purple and red […] so we’re telling people: don’t take this race for granted because I’m not taking one vote or one voter for granted.”