Elections

Sarah McBride Becomes First Openly Transgender Elected To Congress

Amid the success of Republican politicians running on a platform of restricting transgender rights, state Sen. Sarah McBride has become the first openly transgender person elected a Congress member.

On Tuesday, McBride beat out Republican candidate John Whalen III for the state’s only House seat with 57.8% of the vote.

At Delaware’s Democratic election night celebration that night, McBride urged for a new era of politics: “Tonight is a testament to Delawareans that here in our state of neighbors, we judge candidates based on their ideas and not their identities.”

She advised the public, “While at this moment in America’s history, hope sometimes feels hard to come by, we must never forget that we are the beneficiaries of seemingly impossible change.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

In a victory statement on X, McBride thanked her supporters and wrote, “Delaware has sent the message loud and clear that we must be a country that protects reproductive freedom, that guarantees paid leave and affordable child care for all our families, that ensures that housing and health care are available to everyone and that this is a democracy that is big enough for all of us.

McBride first made headlines in April 2012 when she came out as trans via a campus newspaper at American University, where she was student body president. Later that year, she interned with the Obama administration, becoming the first trans woman to work in the White House. In 2016, she gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention, making her the first trans person to speak at a major political convention.

Such a Democratic victory for Delaware is all the more noteworthy as it comes at a time when Republicans have promised future restrictions of transgender rights, such as seeking to ban minors from accessing gender-confirmation surgery and banish transgender athletes from binary sports categories. 

According to data shared by NBC News on Tuesday, groups backing Republicans have spent over $200 million in television ads attacking trans people.

In the days leading up to the election, the Trump campaign focused its attack ads on the transgender community more than any other topic.

Bay Zisman

Share
Published by
Bay Zisman

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Under Pressure From Trump To Take Millions Of Palestinians, King Abdullah Says Jordan Will Take In 2000 Sick Children From Gaza

https://youtu.be/RV77st7CO40 King Abdullah II of Jordan said his country would take in 2,000 sick children…

4 hours ago

VIDEO: Tractors Block Busy London Streets During Major Tax Protest

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pHrFCPDZP5A Farmers protesting an inheritance tax on farms blocked streets with tractors in part of London on…

19 hours ago

Americans Rank Joe Biden Lowest Among Living Presidents In New Favorability Poll

According to a Gallup poll released on Tuesday, Joe Biden has the lowest favorability rating…

19 hours ago

VIDEO: Elon Musk’s Son, X, Attends Oval Office Ceremony As Trump Signs Executive Order Giving His Dad More Power Over Federal Workforce

https://youtu.be/Wm8Mi8ERn-0 Elon Musk attended the Oval Office with his young son, X, as President Donald…

20 hours ago

Justice Department Orders Prosecutors To Drop Corruption Case Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams After He Cozies Up To Trump

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a memorandum on Monday on behalf of Acting Deputy…

21 hours ago

VIDEO: Trump Pardons Disgraced Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Convicted Of Trying To Sell Obama’s Senate Seat

https://youtu.be/7dSG9kFb3ZE President Donald Trump pardoned disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) on Monday. Blagojevich…

1 day ago