[RobRoy]

I noticed you said “Name the first African-American senator.”

You didn’t say “black”.

[dangus]

Therese Heinz Kerry is not African-American. She is a European-American who happened to have been born in Africa to European-American parents. I assure you, the person who is the answer to this question comes from a long line of African ancestors.

[Lancey Howard]

I noticed you said “Name the first African-American senator.” You didn’t say “black”.

That's the first thing I thought of as well..
For example, Theresa Heinz Kerry is African-American.