Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate Wednesday with a video that focuses on her Christian faith, support for abortion, and condemnation of the January 6 riot.
Delaware’s sole representative in the House is running to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Carper in 2024. Considering her name recognition and Delaware’s Democratic lean, as well as a lengthy list of key endorsements, she is considered the frontrunner in the race.
Her campaign launch video begins with a shot of a Hammond organ and the sound of a gospel piano as Blunt Rochester talks about “bright hope,” an ode to Bright Hope Baptist Church and the faith that guides her, before voicing her commitment to “protect our seniors, our environment, our small businesses, and women’s reproductive rights.”
I’m running to represent Delaware in the United States Senate.
I’m filled with Bright Hope for our future. But a more perfect union isn’t a destination. It’s a journey. Let’s go on it together.
Join me ➡️ https://t.co/tymKWayXko pic.twitter.com/VeXvchGV0v
— Lisa Blunt Rochester (@LisaBRochester) June 21, 2023
The Democrat then turned to January 6, calling it her “worst day,” a few seconds after she described the tragic death of her husband. After the Capitol riot, a video of Blunt Rochester praying over the House of Representatives chamber while hiding in the gallery went viral, drawing praise from many Christians.
Despite Blunt Rochester’s strong showing of Christian faith and her claims in her launch video, the Delaware Representative has supported a slew of bills in Congress that critics say conflict with — and even target — the people of faith.
Blunt Rochester is a strong supporter of abortion. She recently described the procedure as “health care,” vowing to “never stop fighting until abortion is codified into federal law nationwide.” In 2022, she voted for The Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade into federal law.
Abortion is health care.
I am so proud to have fought for reproductive freedom my entire career in public service. In the House, I voted to codify Roe’s protections into law.
I’ll never stop fighting until abortion is codified into federal law nationwide. pic.twitter.com/QOyWoENi3G
— Lisa Blunt Rochester (@LisaBRochester) June 15, 2023
She also voted for the Equality Act, which extends the same protections that apply to race and religion to LGBTQ Americans. This act is often criticized as a potential bludgeon against people of faith, especially since it contains no provisions for churches or religious organizations.
The bill would allow the Department of Justice to sue anyone in federal court who discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. It also guarantees that those who claim to be the opposite sex can use the bathroom of the gender with which they identify.