Sarah McBride, a Delaware state senator, has broken new ground as the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. McBride, 34, won Delaware’s at-large House seat in Tuesday’s election, defeating Republican candidate John Whalen III. This seat, Delaware’s only one in the House, has been held by Democrats since 2010.
In her victory statement on X, McBride expressed gratitude to Delaware voters, saying, “Delaware has sent the message loud and clear that we must be a country that protects reproductive freedom, guarantees paid leave and affordable child care, and ensures housing and healthcare for everyone.”
Before this landmark win, McBride had already made history, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to a state senate in 2020. Her public service roots run deep: she was the first openly trans person to intern at the White House in 2012 under President Obama and later spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, making her the first transgender person to address the event.
McBride’s congressional bid attracted support from high-profile figures and organizations. President Joe Biden, a Delaware native and longtime supporter, congratulated her following her primary win in September. Delaware’s current representative, Lisa Blunt Rochester, endorsed McBride early on, as did organizations such as Everytown for Gun Safety and Planned Parenthood.
A lifelong resident of Wilmington, Delaware, McBride has a long history in advocacy, beginning with her work on anti-discrimination legislation for trans rights in her state. She later became the national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, and she taught public policy at the University of Delaware. In 2018, she published a memoir, Tomorrow Will Be Different.
Despite her historic candidacy, McBride emphasized that she focused on affordable childcare, paid leave, housing, and reproductive freedom rather than solely LGBTQ+ issues. “I think folks know that I am personally invested in equality as an LGBTQ person,” she told CBS News, “but my priorities are going to be for all families.”
McBride’s election comes during a surge in anti-trans legislation in the U.S. This year alone, over 660 bills targeting transgender rights were introduced, reflecting an escalation in political opposition against LGBTQ+ rights. Amid these challenges, McBride hopes her win fosters empathy and representation for trans people, showing, as she put it, that “the power of proximity taps what I believe to be the most fundamental human emotion, which is empathy.”
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.