Wilmington, Del. —  In case you missed it, USA Today profiled Lisa Blunt Rochester as a part of a series on Black women working to “build political power.” The piece focused on Blunt Rochester’s bid for the Senate and her commitment to making sure that Black women have a seat at the table because “being at the table means that the work done at the table is better quality.”

At the groundbreaking for an expansion of the Wilmington Airport that Blunt Rochester championed, she spoke on the significance of the moment: 

• It was a full circle moment for the Delaware congresswoman. Years ago, while working for Carper, then a congressman, she helped write grants asking for money to expand the airport. Now, she stood under a white tent touting the $5.6 million for the expansion […]
  
  “Going to an event like that and seeing folks that I worked with for many, many years ‒ it’s like we’re really doing it, you know, not just talking about it,” Blunt Rochester said later that afternoon.

On what having two Black women in the Senate could mean: 

• Experts said their presence in the mostly white and male dominated Senate could not only change its make-up, but also affect discussions on the Senate floor and in committee rooms.
  
  Blunt Rochester and Alsobrooks have said in addition to issues like job creation and economic development, they plan to champion reproductive rights, disparities in health care and voting rights protections.

On how having Black women at the table will make an impact: 

• “We bring something special to the table,’’ [Blunt Rochester] said of Black women politicians. “There’s a special thing that we’re able to do in terms of bringing people together, in terms of problem solving… Being at the table means that the work done at the table is better quality, I believe, because it’s inclusive of our experiences both our professional and lived experiences. But there’s also value in people seeing us in these spaces because then that means, ‘Hey, maybe I could do it (too).’ ’’

On campaigning up and down the state, meeting Delawareans where they are: 

• Blunt Rochester, 62, who is also national co-chair of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, said she’s not taking victory for granted. She’s held roundtables with veterans and Black small business owners. She’s visited barbershops. She’s campaigned across the state.

On the fulfillment serving Delaware in Congress has brought her: 

• Blunt Rochester said she’s loved being a member of Congress.
  
  “I feel so grateful … This job has brought my joy back,’’ she said, adding that it’s been 10 years since her husband, Charles, passed away and she ran for the House.

Senator Tom Carper, Blunt Rochester’s former boss, on the now-Congresswoman’s impact: 

• Carper, who described himself as Blunt Rochester’s biggest fan, said she “will inspire people for miles around of all colors.’’
  
  “Maybe they’ll end up as president or governor even,” he said.

On the challenges and joys of being first: 

• Being the first has had its challenges. Blunt Rochester recalled years ago attending an event with Sens. Carper and Chris Coons and not being acknowledged as a member of the congressional delegation. She called it a teachable moment for her colleagues.
  
  She also recalled attending an event where the Confederate flag was displayed. For many African Americans the flag is a symbol of racism.
  
  “It touches my heart when some kid says, ‘I did my report on you,’’ she said. “It’s a very humbling experience and I think it’s important that you take it as an honor, not a burden.’’

On the wisdom from her father that guides her: 

• [Blunt Rochester] holds onto a business card her father, Ted Blunt, gave her that reads, “You can’t be what you don’t see.”
  
  Blunt Rochester said Mosley Braun, now 77, the first African American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, was one of the first people she called when she announced her own bid to run for the Senate.
  
  “I just wanted to call her and thank her for being somebody I could see,’’ Blunt Rochester recalled.
  
  Blunt Rochester later joined Moseley Braun, Butler and Alsobrooks at an event at a Chicago museum during the week of the Democratic National Convention this summer.

On what it means to have the support of those who came before her: 

• “Not only do I have them with me, I have my grandmothers with me. I have my mom. I have my daughters and my granddaughter and my dad,’’ Blunt Rochester said. “That means something to know you’re not alone, even when you’re the only one at the table.’’