How many African Americans have served in the United States Senate according to the provided data?

According to the provided data, a total of 14 African Americans have been elected or appointed to serve in the United States Senate.

Who was the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate?

The first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate was Hiram R. Revels.

Which state has had the highest number of African-American senators?

Illinois has had the most African-American senators, with three individuals representing the state in the U.S. Senate.

What significant political milestone did Kamala Harris achieve in 2016 and later?

Kamala Harris became the first African American elected as a U.S. senator from California in 2016, and subsequently became the first African-American Vice President of the United States and the first African-American President of the U.S. Senate.

What record did Tim Scott set at the beginning of his third term in 2025?

At the start of his third term in 2025, Tim Scott of South Carolina became the longest-serving Black senator in U.S. history and the first to chair a full committee.

How were the 14 African-American senators primarily brought into office?

Of the 14 African-American senators, nine were popularly elected (including one who was initially appointed), two were elected by state legislatures before the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, and three were appointed by governors without subsequent election.

What definition does the U.S. Census Bureau use for 'African Americans'?

The U.S. Census Bureau defines 'African Americans' as citizens or residents of the United States whose origins trace back to any of the black populations of Africa, generally referring to individuals with at least partial ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa.

What was the political and social status of African Americans during the U.S. federal government's founding?

During the founding of the federal government, African Americans were largely considered second-class citizens or were enslaved, and none held federal elective office prior to the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870.

What key right did the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantee?

The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits both federal and state governments from denying any citizen the right to vote based on their race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Which state did the first two African-American senators represent, and during what era?

The first two African-American senators, Hiram Rhodes Revels and Blanche Bruce, both represented Mississippi during the Reconstruction era, which followed the American Civil War.

When was Hiram Rhodes Revels elected to the Senate, and by which body?

Hiram Rhodes Revels was elected to the Senate in 1870 by the Mississippi State Legislature.

On what grounds did some Democratic senators oppose the seating of Hiram Rhodes Revels?

Some Democratic senators opposed seating Hiram Rhodes Revels, citing the Dred Scott v. Sandford Supreme Court decision and arguing that he did not meet the nine-year citizenship requirement for senators.

Who was elected to the Senate from Louisiana in 1872, and what was the outcome of his election?

P. B. S. Pinchback was elected to the Senate from Louisiana in 1872 by the state legislature, but he was never seated due to contested election results.

What unique distinction does Blanche Bruce hold as a former senator?

Blanche Bruce was the only senator to have been a former slave and was the first African American to serve a full six-year term as a United States senator.

What legislative action in Mississippi in 1890 significantly impacted African American political representation?

In 1890, Mississippi's Democratic-controlled legislature passed a new constitution that disfranchised most Black voters, a move that was mirrored in other Southern states and suppressed African American political participation until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Who was the first African-American senator elected after the Reconstruction era, and from which state?

Edward Brooke of Massachusetts was the first African-American senator elected after the Reconstruction era, taking office in 1967.

What was significant about Edward Brooke's election regarding the method of senatorial selection?

Edward Brooke was the first African American elected to the Senate through direct popular vote, following the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment, and he was also the first Black senator to serve two full terms.

What was the duration of the period without any African-American senators in the U.S. Senate between 1979 and 1993?

There were no Black members of the United States Senate from 1979, when Edward Brooke's term concluded, until 1993.

Who was the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, and from which state did she represent?

Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois was the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, beginning her term in 1993.

What major presidential achievement is associated with Barack Obama's tenure as a senator?

Barack Obama, who began his Senate service in 2005, became the first African American elected President of the United States in 2008 while he was still a sitting senator.

Who was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Senate left by Barack Obama's resignation?

Roland Burris was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Senate left by Barack Obama after Obama was elected President.

What was the situation regarding African-American representation in the Senate between 2011 and 2013?

From 2011 to 2013, the U.S. Senate had no Black members, marking the first time this occurred since Barack Obama's election in 2004.

What historical milestone occurred in 2013 concerning the number of African-American senators?

In 2013, for the first time in history, more than one African American served in the Senate concurrently, with Tim Scott and Mo Cowan holding seats.

Who was appointed to the Senate from South Carolina to fill the vacancy left by Jim DeMint?

Tim Scott was appointed to the Senate from South Carolina by Governor Nikki Haley to fill the vacancy created by Jim DeMint's resignation.

Who was appointed to the Senate from Massachusetts to fill the vacancy left by John Kerry?

Mo Cowan was appointed to the Senate from Massachusetts by Governor Deval Patrick to fill the vacancy created by John Kerry's resignation.

Which African American was elected to the Senate from New Jersey in a 2013 special election?

Cory Booker was elected to the Senate from New Jersey in a special election in 2013, filling the seat vacated by the death of Frank R. Lautenberg.

What is Cory Booker's distinction regarding his representation of New Jersey?

Cory Booker holds the distinction of being the first African American to represent the state of New Jersey in the United States Senate.

Who joined Tim Scott and Cory Booker in the Senate in 2017?

Kamala Harris of California joined Tim Scott and Cory Booker in the Senate in 2017.

What unique historical position does Raphael Warnock hold as a senator from Georgia?

Raphael Warnock of Georgia, elected in 2021, is the first African-American Democrat to represent a former Confederate state in the U.S. Senate.

How many African-American senators have served out of the total number of senators by 2024?

By 2024, 12 African Americans had served in the United States Senate, out of more than 2,000 total members throughout history.

What was the duration of Hiram Rhodes Revels' service in the Senate?

Hiram Rhodes Revels served in the Senate for 1 year and 7 days, from February 25, 1870, to March 3, 1871.

What notable fact is associated with Blanche Bruce's tenure as a senator?

Blanche Bruce is noted as being the only senator who was a former slave and the first African American to complete a full six-year term in the Senate.

For how many years did Edward Brooke serve in the U.S. Senate?

Edward Brooke served in the U.S. Senate for 12 years, from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1979.

What was the length of Carol Moseley Braun's term in the Senate?

Carol Moseley Braun served a single term in the Senate, lasting 6 years, from January 3, 1993, to January 3, 1999.

How long did Barack Obama serve as a senator before resigning to become President?

Barack Obama served as a senator for 3 years and 318 days, from January 3, 2005, to November 16, 2008.

What was the tenure of Roland Burris as a U.S. Senator?

Roland Burris served as a U.S. Senator for 1 year and 318 days, from January 15, 2009, to November 29, 2010.

What is the current status of Tim Scott's service as a senator, based on the provided data?

Tim Scott is listed as an incumbent senator, having served from January 2, 2013, to the present, which spans over 12 years.

What was the duration of Mo Cowan's service as a senator?

Mo Cowan served as a senator for 165 days, from February 1, 2013, to July 16, 2013.

How long has Cory Booker served as a senator as of the data's context?

Cory Booker has served as a senator since October 31, 2013, totaling over 11 years as an incumbent.

What was Kamala Harris's tenure as a senator before she became Vice President?

Kamala Harris served as a senator for 4 years and 15 days, from January 3, 2017, to January 18, 2021.

What is the current status of Raphael Warnock's service as a senator, based on the provided data?

Raphael Warnock is listed as an incumbent senator, having served from January 20, 2021, to the present, which spans over 4 years.

What was Laphonza Butler's tenure as a senator?

Laphonza Butler served as a senator from October 3, 2023, to December 8, 2024.

When did Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester begin their terms as senators?

Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester both commenced their Senate terms on January 3, 2025.

What is the significance of Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester serving together in the Senate?

Angela Alsobrooks is the first African American senator from Maryland, and she serves alongside Lisa Blunt Rochester, the first African American senator from Delaware, marking them as the first African-American women to serve concurrently in the Senate.

Who is listed as an African American elected to the Senate but not seated, and from which state?

P. B. S. Pinchback is listed as having been elected to the Senate from Louisiana in 1873, but he was denied his seat due to a contested election.

How many states have been represented by African-American senators, and how many are represented as of January 3, 2025?

A total of seven states have been represented by African-American senators, and as of January 3, 2025, five states are currently represented by African-American senators.

Which state has had the most African-American senators in total, and how many senators from that state are African American?

Illinois has had the most African-American senators in total, with three individuals serving from the state.

Which state was the first to elect an African-American senator by popular vote, and in what year did this occur?

Massachusetts was the first state to elect an African-American senator by popular vote, with Edward Brooke's election in 1966.

Which state was the first to have an African-American senator elected by its state legislature, and in what year?

Mississippi was the first state to have an African-American senator elected by its state legislature, with Hiram Rhodes Revels elected in 1870.

What does the histogram in the 'Graphs' section illustrate regarding African-American senators?

The histogram illustrates the changing number of African-American senators serving in the U.S. Senate over time, showing periods with no representation and periods with multiple senators.

According to the graph, when did the number of African-American senators first reach two simultaneously?

The graph indicates that the number of African-American senators serving simultaneously first reached two in February 2013.

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Historical Context

Foundational Era

The United States Senate, as the upper house of Congress, initially saw African Americans excluded due to systemic discrimination and slavery. The ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870 marked a pivotal moment, prohibiting the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous servitude, paving the way for African American participation in federal elective office.

Defining Citizenship

The U.S. Census Bureau defines "African Americans" based on origins in black populations of Africa. Historically, this group faced significant barriers, including second-class citizenship and enslavement, prior to the constitutional amendments that began to ensure civil rights.

Early Representation

Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi, elected in 1870, became the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate. He was followed by Blanche Bruce, also from Mississippi, elected in 1875. These early senators served during the Reconstruction era, navigating a complex political landscape.

Milestones in Senate History

Reconstruction to Obama (1870-2011)

The period saw the initial entry of African Americans into the Senate, primarily from Southern states like Mississippi, following the Civil War. Edward Brooke of Massachusetts, elected in 1967, was the first African American senator elected by popular vote after the 17th Amendment. Carol Moseley Braun became the first African-American woman senator in 1993. Barack Obama's election in 2005 marked another significant milestone, leading to the presidency.

Contemporary Era (2013-Present)

Starting in 2013, the number of African-American senators increased, with figures like Tim Scott and Cory Booker serving concurrently. Kamala Harris's election in 2017 and subsequent Vice Presidency, followed by Raphael Warnock's representation of Georgia, and appointments like Laphonza Butler, alongside the upcoming service of Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester, highlight continued progress and diversity.

Election Dynamics

Illinois holds the distinction of having the most African-American senators. The source notes specific election dynamics, including instances where two major-party nominees were African American, such as in Illinois (2004) and South Carolina (2014, 2016, 2022), and Georgia (2022).

List of African-American U.S. Senators

Serving Senators

Below is a detailed list of African Americans who have served in the U.S. Senate, including their state, tenure, party affiliation, and notable distinctions.

Image	Senator	State	Tenure			Party		Congress	Notes
Image	Senator	State	Start	End	Duration	Party		Congress	Notes
👤	Hiram Rhodes Revels	Mississippi	February 25, 1870	March 3, 1871	1 year, 7 days		Republican	41st (1869–1871)	First African American Senator; completed an unfinished term. Retired.
👤	Blanche Bruce	Mississippi	March 4, 1875	March 4, 1881	6 years, 0 days		Republican	44th–46th (1875–1881)	First to serve a full term; former slave. Retired.
👤	Edward Brooke	Massachusetts	January 3, 1967	January 3, 1979	12 years, 0 days		Republican	90th–95th (1967–1979)	First popularly elected African American Senator; served two terms. Lost reelection.
👤	Carol Moseley Braun	Illinois	January 3, 1993	January 3, 1999	6 years, 0 days		Democratic	103rd–105th (1993–1999)	First African-American woman Senator. Lost reelection.
👤	Barack Obama	Illinois	January 3, 2005	November 16, 2008	3 years, 318 days		Democratic	109th–110th (2005–2008)	First African American elected President. Resigned.
👤	Roland Burris	Illinois	January 15, 2009	November 29, 2010	1 year, 318 days		Democratic	111th (2009–2011)	Appointed; first African American to succeed another in the Senate. Did not seek election.
👤	Tim Scott	South Carolina	January 2, 2013	Incumbent	12 years, 271 days		Republican	112th–119th (2011–present)	Appointed; first from SC. First to chair a full committee.
👤	Mo Cowan	Massachusetts	February 1, 2013	July 16, 2013	165 days		Democratic	113th (2013–2015)	Appointed; first African American senator alongside another (Tim Scott). Did not seek election.
👤	Cory Booker	New Jersey	October 31, 2013	Incumbent	11 years, 334 days		Democratic	113th–119th (2013–present)	First from NJ; first elected via special election since Obama.
👤	Kamala Harris	California	January 3, 2017	January 18, 2021	4 years, 15 days		Democratic	115th–116th (2017–2021)	First from CA; first African American VP. Resigned.
👤	Raphael Warnock	Georgia	January 20, 2021	Incumbent	4 years, 253 days		Democratic	117th–119th (2021–present)	First from Georgia; first African American Democrat from a former Confederate state.
👤	Laphonza Butler	California	October 3, 2023	December 8, 2024	1 year, 66 days		Democratic	118th (2023–2025)	Appointed; first openly LGBT African American Senator. Resigned.
👤	Angela Alsobrooks	Maryland	January 3, 2025	Incumbent	270 days		Democratic	119th (2025–present)	First from Maryland; first African American woman Senator from Maryland.
👤	Lisa Blunt Rochester	Delaware	January 3, 2025	Incumbent	270 days		Democratic	119th (2025–present)	First from Delaware; first African American woman Senator from Delaware.

Elected but Not Seated

Occasionally, individuals were elected to the Senate but were ultimately denied their seats due to political disputes or contested elections.

Image	Senator-elect	State	Year Elected	Party		Congress	Notes
👤	P. B. S. Pinchback	Louisiana	1873		Republican	44th (1875–1877)	Denied seat due to contested election results.

State Representation

African Americans have represented seven states in the U.S. Senate. As of early 2025, five states are currently represented by African American senators.

State	Current	Previous	Total	First Senator	Years Represented	Year First Elected
California	0	2	2	Kamala Harris	2017–2021, 2023–2024	2016
Delaware	1	0	1	Lisa Blunt Rochester	2025–present	2024
Georgia	1	0	1	Raphael Warnock	2021–present	2021
Illinois	0	3	3	Carol Moseley Braun	1993–1999, 2005–2008, 2009–2010	1992
Maryland	1	0	1	Angela Alsobrooks	2025–present	2024
Massachusetts	0	2	2	Edward Brooke	1967–1979, 2013	1966
Mississippi	0	2	2	Hiram Rhodes Revels	1870–1871, 1875–1881	1870
New Jersey	1	0	1	Cory Booker	2013–present	2013
South Carolina	1	0	1	Tim Scott	2013–present	2014

Senate Representation Over Time

This histogram illustrates the number of African Americans serving in the U.S. Senate across different historical periods.

Start Date	Total Senators	Representation Graph
March 4, 1789	0
February 25, 1870	1	●
March 4, 1871	0
March 4, 1875	1	●
March 4, 1881	0
January 3, 1967	1	●
January 4, 1979	0
January 3, 1993	1	●
January 4, 1999	0
January 3, 2005	1	●
November 17, 2008	0
January 15, 2009	1	●
November 30, 2010	0
January 2, 2013	1	●
February 1, 2013	2	●●
July 17, 2013	1	●
October 31, 2013	2	●●
January 3, 2017	3	●●●
January 18, 2021	2	●●
January 20, 2021	3	●●●
October 3, 2023	4	●●●●
December 8, 2024	3	●●●
January 3, 2025	5	●●●●●

Notable Election Matchups

Certain elections have featured contests between two major-party African-American candidates, highlighting evolving political dynamics.

Elections with Two African-American Major-Party Nominees
Election Year	State	Winner	Second-Place Finisher
2004	Illinois	Barack Obama	Alan Keyes
2014	South Carolina	Tim Scott	Joyce Dickerson
2016	South Carolina	Tim Scott	Thomas Dixon
2022	Georgia	Raphael Warnock	Herschel Walker
2022	South Carolina	Tim Scott	Krystle Matthews
Note: Incumbent Senators are in bold

Congressional Context

Legislative Branch

The U.S. Senate is a key component of the bicameral United States Congress, responsible for legislation, confirmation of appointments, and treaty ratification. Its composition and the representation within it reflect the nation's evolving demographics and political history.

Representation

The presence of African Americans in the Senate signifies progress towards broader representation. The journey from the Reconstruction era to the present day highlights persistent efforts to overcome historical disenfranchisement and ensure diverse voices in national governance.

Notes

¹ Harris's background includes heritage from Jamaica and India. Several other members of Congress share similar diverse backgrounds.

² Tim Scott's tenure includes being the first African American to chair a full Senate committee.

³ The classification of "African American" or "Black" is based on various sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and historical records, acknowledging diverse ancestries.

External Resources

African American Senators – U.S. Senate Historical Office
African American Members of the U.S. Congress: 1870–2012 (CRS Report)
Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, 1774–Present
Black Americans in Congress, 1870–2007 (C-SPAN Video)
Black Americans in Congress (U.S. House Clerk)
Major African American Office Holders Since 1641 (BlackPast.org)

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the List of African-American United States senators Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not political or historical advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional historical research or political analysis. Always consult primary sources and expert historians for definitive information.

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Historical Context

Foundational Era

Defining Citizenship

Early Representation

Milestones in Senate History

Reconstruction to Obama (1870-2011)

Contemporary Era (2013-Present)

Election Dynamics

List of African-American U.S. Senators

Serving Senators

Elected but Not Seated

State Representation

Senate Representation Over Time

Notable Election Matchups

Congressional Context

Legislative Branch

Representation

Related Topics

Congressional Roles

Historical Firsts

Election Data

Notes

Further Reading

External Resources

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Historical Context 🌍

🏛️ Foundational Era

⚖️ Defining Citizenship

⭐ Early Representation

Milestones in Senate History 📜

⏳ Reconstruction to Obama (1870-2011)

➡️ Contemporary Era (2013-Present)

🗳️ Election Dynamics

List of African-American U.S. Senators 👤

📜 Serving Senators

Elected but Not Seated 🚫

State Representation 📍

Senate Representation Over Time 📊

Notable Election Matchups 📅

Congressional Context 🔗

🇺🇸 Legislative Branch

👥 Representation

Related Topics 📚

🏛️ Congressional Roles

⭐ Historical Firsts

🗳️ Election Data

Notes 📝

Further Reading 📖

External Resources 🌐

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Historical Context

Foundational Era

Defining Citizenship

Early Representation

Milestones in Senate History

Reconstruction to Obama (1870-2011)

Contemporary Era (2013-Present)

Election Dynamics

List of African-American U.S. Senators

Serving Senators

Elected but Not Seated

State Representation

Senate Representation Over Time

Notable Election Matchups

Congressional Context

Legislative Branch

Representation

Related Topics

Congressional Roles

Historical Firsts

Election Data

Notes

Further Reading

External Resources

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

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References

Feedback & Support

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Important Notice