7 Black Women Are Running For Senate In 2026 — And They Could Make History

Seven Black women have launched campaigns for the U.S. Senate in 2026, marking a surge that could shatter long-standing representation records.

Only five Black women have ever served in the Senate. Currently, only Angela Alsobrooks (D-Maryland) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware) hold Senate seats, making this the first time two Black women have served simultaneously. Even one victory in 2026 would set a new record.

Among the candidates who could make history in the Senate is Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a second-term congresswoman and vocal critic of the Trump administration who is challenging Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). A victory would make Crockett Texas’ first-ever Black U.S. senator.

In Illinois, both Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton (D) and Rep. Robin Kelly (D) are running for the open seat of retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Either would become the first Black woman to represent Illinois in the Senate since Carol Moseley Braun, who left office in 1999.

State Rep. Pamela Stevenson (D-Kentucky), a retired Air Force colonel, is seeking to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R). A win would make Stevenson Kentucky’s first Black member of Congress.

In Mississippi, Priscilla Williams Till (D), a social justice activist and the cousin of Emmett Till, is challenging Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R). The state hasn't elected a Black senator since Reconstruction in the 1870s.

N'kiyla Jasmine Thomas (D) has launched a bid in Oklahoma against Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R). If elected, she would be Oklahoma’s first Black senator.

Catherine Fleming Bruce (D) is seeking South Carolina's seat, challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham (R). With a victory, Bruce would make history as the first Black woman to represent the state in the Senate.

All seven candidates will first have to compete in Democratic primaries, with general elections set for November 2026. Civil rights and women’s advocacy groups are already mobilizing around fundraising and voter registration in hopes of yielding historic 2026 election results.

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