Delaware state Senator Sarah McBride has made history by becoming the first openly transgender person to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. McBride, a Democrat, easily defeated Republican John Whalen III in the race for Delaware’s lone House seat. Whalen, a retired construction company owner and former state trooper, ran a limited campaign in his first foray into public office. McBride, on the other hand, has garnered national attention as an LGBTQ activist and raised over $3 million in campaign contributions from across the country. She made headlines in 2016 as the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention in the United States at the Democratic National Convention.
In her victory speech, McBride emphasized that her goal was not to make history but to make a difference for her state and the country. She praised Delawareans for judging candidates based on their ideas rather than their identities and highlighted the message that the state’s democracy is inclusive and accepting of all its residents. Throughout her tenure as a state senator, McBride has focused on healthcare issues, successfully sponsoring legislation to establish a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program. Additionally, she has worked to address Medicaid reimbursement rates for home health care services and expand access to dental care for low-income individuals in Delaware. One of her notable bills imposed a 3.58% tax on the net revenue of Delaware’s hospitals to leverage additional federal Medicaid funds.
The U.S. House seat in Delaware was left vacant last year when former Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester decided to run for the Senate seat being vacated by fellow Democrat Tom Carper. Democrats have held Delaware’s U.S. House seat since 2010, and McBride’s election continues that trend. Her win represents a significant milestone for LGBTQ representation in Congress and signals a shift towards more diverse and inclusive legislative bodies. As McBride prepares to take her seat in the U.S. House, she brings with her a background of advocacy for marginalized communities and a commitment to advancing progressive policies on the national stage. Her election is a step forward in breaking barriers and expanding representation for LGBTQ individuals in political leadership positions.
McBride’s victory has been hailed as a groundbreaking moment for the LGBTQ community, with advocates and allies celebrating her historic win. In a time of heightened political polarization and social divisions, McBride’s success serves as a beacon of hope and progress for marginalized groups across the country. As she prepares to transition from state senator to congresswoman, McBride’s platform and priorities are expected to center on healthcare, social justice, and equality for all Americans. By making history as the first openly transgender member of Congress, McBride paves the way for greater representation and inclusion in the political arena, inspiring future generations of LGBTQ individuals to pursue positions of leadership and influence.
