Delaware makes history sending Blunt Rochester to DC [video]

With 56 percent of the vote, Lisa Blunt Rochester becomes the first woman and first person of color to fill Delaware’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Delaware Sen. Tom Carper introduced the Congresswoman-elect at the Delaware Democratic Party’s election night reception at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Wilmington. 

“For the first time in our state’s founding, since 230 years ago, we are sending a woman and a person of color to Congress. I am humbled and honored to stand before you tonight to say we did it together,” said Blunt Rochester, during her victory speech. “I understand the significance of this for those that are going to come after me.”

Excited to go and serve Delawareans in Washington, D.C., Blunt Rochester said her top priorities are jobs and the economy. 

“Everything from building our infrastructure to dealing with issues like equal pay for equal work,” she said. “What I hope to take to D.C. is also a positive spirit of bringing people together.”

The political newcomer served as Delaware’s Secretary of Labor and as the state’s personnel director, prior to running for Congress.

Blunt Rochester defeated Republican Hans Reigle, who took 41 percent of the vote.

“We ran a great race. You know it’s that blue wall in New Castle, right? I’m proud to be a Republican and am a patriot always,” Reigle said in his concession speech at Grotto Pizza in Dover. “I called and congratulated Lisa and God Bless America.”