McBride advances in bid to become first openly trans House member

Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride (D) has won the Democratic nomination for the state’s lone House seat, positioning her to become the first openly transgender member of Congress, according to Decision Desk HQ. 

McBride defeated nominal opposition to win the primary after party leaders largely coalesced behind her candidacy. State Treasurer Colleen Davis and former Delaware State Housing Authority Director Eugene Young had both initially entered the race but dropped out and endorsed McBride. 

Whoever she faces in November, McBride will be heavily favored in the deep-blue seat.

She is set to succeed Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D), who chose not to seek another term in the House to instead run for Senate to succeed retiring Sen. Tom Carper (D). 

McBride had the support of a wide range of Democratic officials in Delaware and the country, including Gov. John Carney, Carper, Blunt Rochester, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the former Speaker. 

McBride already made history as the first openly transgender state senator in the country when she was first elected in 2020 and now will be almost certain to become the first openly transgender House member in the solidly blue state.