First transgender lawmaker is elected to Congress after winning House seat
A Delaware lawmaker has become the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress.
Democrat Sarah McBride was the favorite to win Delaware’s only congressional district – which has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold.
During her speech tonight, Ms. McBride said, “Tonight is a testament to the people of Delaware that we are a fair state where voters judge candidates based on their ideas and not their identities.”
The New York Times reported that Ms. McBride believed her victory was a sign that she had earned voters’ support by leading efforts to improve their daily economic lives through measures such as paid family leave and medical leave.
Her opponent, James Whalen III, was a former state trooper who did not hold political office.
Democrat Sarah McBride was the favorite to win Delaware’s only congressional district – which is traditionally a Democratic stronghold
Ms. McBride believed her victory was a sign that she had earned voters’ support by leading efforts to improve their daily economic lives through measures such as paid family and medical leave.
Mr. Whalen’s campaign focused on cutting federal spending and curbing illegal immigration.
He also previously endorsed Project 2025 during a state debate in September.
Ms. McBride’s victory comes after the Republican presidential campaign focused heavily on transgender issues.
Former President Trump repeatedly claimed that public schools are pushing students to undergo gender transition surgeries.
Meanwhile, his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, suggested that upper-middle-class white families see transgender identities as a way to improve their children’s chances of admission to elite schools.
Ms. McBride will replace fellow Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester after she won the Democratic primary in September.
Ms. McBride will replace fellow Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester after she won the Democratic primary in September
The 34-year-old has become a pioneer on transgender issues within the Democratic Party.
She was the first openly trans woman to intern at the White House in 2013. In 2016, the first to speak at the Democratic National Convention.
She was the first to be elected to a Senate in 2020.
In Congress, however, Ms. McBride said she hopes to be known not only for her identity as a trans woman, but also for her ability to stand up for issues like increasing funding for Medicaid on a national scale.