Sarah McBride, a 34-year-old Delaware state senator, has made history as the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Edison Research projected on Tuesday. McBride, a Democrat, won the race for Delaware’s at-large congressional seat, a district traditionally considered solidly Democratic.
McBride’s victory marks a significant milestone for both the LGBTQ+ community and American politics. In September, she won a highly competitive primary for the seat, defeating her opponents in a race that garnered national attention. McBride’s path to Congress has been paved with groundbreaking achievements: in 2020, she became the first openly transgender person to serve in a state Senate in the United States. She was also the first openly transgender individual to speak at a major U.S. political party convention, doing so in 2016 at the Democratic National Convention. Earlier in her career, McBride made history again by becoming the first openly transgender person to intern at the White House in 2012, working under then-President Barack Obama.
Though her election to Congress is historic, McBride has sought to focus on the issues she intends to champion as a legislator rather than dwelling on the symbolic nature of her candidacy. In an interview with Reuters ahead of the election, McBride emphasized that her goal was to be the best representative she could be for the people of Delaware.
“Whenever you are first, you often have to try to be the best version that you can,” McBride said. “I acknowledge that comes with added responsibilities, but none of them matter if I don’t fulfill the responsibility of just being the best member of Congress that I can be for Delaware.”
McBride’s election comes at a time of increasing challenges for transgender Americans. In 2023, lawmakers in 37 states introduced at least 142 bills aiming to restrict gender-affirming healthcare for transgender and gender-expansive people, a sharp increase from the previous year. At the federal level, Republicans have long pushed anti-transgender legislation, sparking heated debates over the rights and recognition of transgender individuals. McBride’s candidacy, therefore, carries significance not only for its historic nature but also for the issues she is poised to address.
Growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, McBride has long been a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She came out as transgender in 2011, after years of knowing that she was not aligned with the gender assigned to her at birth. Her personal journey and commitment to creating a more inclusive society motivated her to get involved in politics. In 2020, McBride’s election to the Delaware Senate was seen as a breakthrough moment for the LGBTQ+ community, and her victory in the House race further solidifies her status as a trailblazer.
While McBride’s personal experiences have undoubtedly shaped her worldview, she has consistently emphasized that her platform is focused on issues that affect all Delawareans. She has been an advocate for healthcare reform, economic justice, and efforts to combat climate change. Throughout her political career, McBride has emphasized the importance of building a society where everyone, regardless of their gender identity, feels seen and valued.
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Ahead of her election, McBride expressed a message of hope and encouragement for young transgender Americans, urging them to believe in their worth and potential. “Anyone who worries that the heart of this country is not big enough to love them should know that they belong,” McBride said. “Our democracy is big enough for all of us.”
In Congress, McBride will join a growing number of LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to make an impact at the federal level. Her victory represents not only a personal achievement but also a step toward greater representation for marginalized communities in the halls of government.
