Answer summary
In 2017, there were three Black senators in the United States Senate: Tim Scott (R-SC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Kamala Harris (D-CA). All three were serving at the start of the 115th Congress (January 2017). This marked a modest increase from the one Black senator for most of 2016, after Tim Scott’s appointment in January 2013 and Kamala Harris’s election in 2016. The 2017 total remained small in absolute terms relative to the full Senate, reflecting the continued underrepresentation of Black Americans in that chamber.
Context and defining the group
Black senators in 2017 held office during the 115th Congress (January 2017–January 2019). Their presence was notable given the long history of minimal Black representation in the Senate. To understand this group, it helps to clarify who was serving, when they took office, and how they entered the chamber.
Who the three Black senators were in 2017
- Tim Scott (R-SC): appointed January 2, 2013, elected to a full term in 2014, continued in 2017.
- Cory Booker (D-NJ): first elected in 2013 special election, sworn in October 2013, continued in 2017.
- Kamala Harris (D-CA): elected in November 2016, sworn in January 2017, serving starting 2017.
No other Black senators served during 2017. This trio represents the complete set of Black members in the Senate during that year.
Historical snapshot and how we know
Official congressional records, Senate membership lists, and credentialing documents provide reliable evidence for who served. Tim Scott’s 2013 appointment filled a vacancy, Cory Booker’s 2013 swearing-in followed a special election, and Kamala Harris began her term in January 2017 after winning election in 2016. No Black senators left and were immediately replaced by another Black senator in a way that would change the 2017 count.
| Senator | State & party | Senate term start | How they entered Senate | Status in 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Scott | South Carolina, Republican | January 2, 2013 (appointed) | Appointment to finish term | Serving in 2017 |
| Cory Booker | New Jersey, Democrat | October 31, 2013 (sworn in) | Special election | Serving in 2017 |
| Kamala Harris | California, Democrat | January 3, 207 | Elected in 2016 | Serving in 2017 |
Numbers at a glance
At the beginning of 2017, following the December 2016 election results and ahead of the January 2017 inaugurations, only one Black senator (Booker) was in office. After Harris was sworn in on January 3, 2017, the count reached three, which remained the total for the rest of the 115th Congress.
Broad representation context
Three Black senators in 2017 represents a small share of the 100-member chamber. This reflects long-standing patterns of underrepresentation, despite significant milestones for individual senators. Their service brought distinct perspectives on civil rights, criminal justice, economic policy, and representation, shaping debates during that Congress.
Key takeaways
- Three Black senators served during 2017: Tim Scott, Cory Booker, and Kamala Harris.
- All three were serving at various points in the 115th Congress (2017–2019).
- Representation remained limited relative to the U.S. population, highlighting ongoing gaps in legislative diversity.