Sarah McBride Becomes First Openly Transgender Member of U.S. Congress

Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride has made history, winning her race to become the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The 34-year-old Democrat celebrated the win on social media, thanking Delaware voters for their support and commitment to progressive values.

“Thank you, Delaware! Because of your votes and your values, I am proud to be your next member of Congress,” McBride posted on X (formerly Twitter), following race calls by MSNBC and NBC News. In her victory message, she emphasized the importance of reproductive freedom, paid leave, affordable childcare, and accessible healthcare for all.

McBride defeated Republican candidate John Whalen III, a former police officer and businessman, in the race for Delaware's at-large House seat. Her victory maintains the seat’s Democratic hold, which has been unbroken since 2010. She had previously won a competitive Democratic primary in September, securing her place on the ballot with a comfortable lead over Whalen in pre-election polls.

Reflecting on her historic candidacy, McBride expressed gratitude for Delaware's open-mindedness, saying, “It is a testament to Delawareans that someone like me could run for Congress.” This milestone follows her groundbreaking election to the Delaware State Senate in 2020, where she became the first openly transgender state senator in the nation. McBride also holds the distinction of being the first transgender intern at the White House, working in Barack Obama’s administration in 2012, and speaking at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

McBride received backing from prominent figures, including President Joe Biden, a Delaware native, and current Delaware Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, who endorsed her during the primary. Additionally, organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund lent their support to McBride’s campaign.

Growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, McBride developed a passion for politics at a young age, volunteering on campaigns such as Beau Biden’s run for state attorney general. She publicly came out as transgender in 2011, at age 21, through a powerful university newspaper article and Facebook post, which quickly went viral. Since then, McBride has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, playing a vital role in anti-discrimination legislation in Delaware and serving as a national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign.

Throughout her campaign, McBride emphasized her dedication to a broad range of issues, from affordable childcare to reproductive rights, while acknowledging the significance of her candidacy for the transgender community. "People understand I care deeply about equality as an LGBTQ person," she noted, “but my priorities are issues that affect all families and communities.”

McBride hopes her election can foster empathy for the trans community, especially as anti-trans rhetoric and policies grow. According to the Trans Legislation Tracker, 2024 has seen a record 661 anti-trans bills introduced across the U.S., compared to 604 the previous year. McBride has remained resolute in the face of such challenges, saying, “I wouldn’t be the first person in Congress from a community that Donald Trump has targeted.”

Her historic election stands as a beacon of progress amid ongoing discrimination, highlighting her belief in “the power of proximity” to foster empathy and create meaningful change.