Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride is poised to become the first openly transgender person elected to Congress after she won her primary Sept. 10.
McBride defeated Earl Cooper 79.9% to 16.2% in the Democratic primary for the state’s congressional seat. McBride will face Republican John Whalen in November.
The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund in a press release notes McBride is “favored to win in the heavily Democratic state.”
“Voters across the country are sick and tired of the divisive politics of the past — that’s why we’re seeing an increase in diverse, young candidates like Sarah McBride clearing their primaries,” said Victory Fund President Annise Parker. “Nobody is more qualified than Sarah to represent the values of Delaware in Congress. I look forward to celebrating Sarah’s election victory in November and seeing her get to work for her constituents in Washington.”
McBride is poised to succeed U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), who is running for retiring U.S. Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.)’s seat.
“Of course, there’s going to be discussion about the potential of this campaign to break this barrier and to increase diversity in Congress and to ensure that a voice that has been totally absent from the halls of Congress is finally there in an elected capacity,” McBride told the Washington Blade during a 2023 interview after she declared her candidacy. “While it’s not what this campaign is focused on, while it’s not what voters are focused on, it is certainly relevant to the young people who are feeling alone and scared right now.”
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