The decision of Delaware Democratic Sen. Thomas R. Carper’s retirement is likely to trigger two statewide races in the First State next year, one to replace him and perhaps another for the state’s only House seat.
Carper gave his support to Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who has expressed interest in the Senate seat but has not made a formal announcement. When he announced his retirement Monday in Wilmington, Del., Carper said he had talked about the seat with Blunt Rochester, who had been an intern in his House office.
“I said, ‘You’re patient, waiting for me to get off the road, and I get off the road … and I hope you run. And I hope you will allow me to support you in that mission.’ And he said, ‘Yes, I’ll let you support me.’ And so I go,” Carper said.
If elected, Blunt Rochester would be the first woman and the first Black person from Delaware in the Senate. She will be the third Black woman elected to the Senate, although California and Maryland may also send, respectively, Rep. Barbara Lee and Prince George Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
Blunt Rochester, Delaware’s only member of the House, was first elected in 2016 and has not faced a competitive Democratic primary since. In 2022, he was re-elected with 12.5 points. A member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he pushed legislation related to health care and workforce modernization.
