Sarah McBride will soon make history as the out first transgender congresswoman

The last remaining challenger to Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride (D) in her race for the state’s lone U.S. House seat dropped out this week, clearing the way for McBride to become the first out transgender person elected to Congress.

McBride, 33, would also be the youngest person elected to represent Delaware in Washington since Joe Biden joined the U.S. Senate in 1973 at age 30.

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“Our best days are ahead”: Trans congressional candidate Sarah McBride still believes in America

McBride spoke with LGBTQ Nation about her friendship with Joe Biden, her groundbreaking career, and the contents of her high school LinkedIn profile.

Eugene Young, Delaware’s former State Housing Authority director, exited the race Wednesday with an email to supporters. His departure didn’t come with a specific reason or an endorsement for McBride.

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With the field cleared, and no Republican challenger so far in the heavily Democratic state, McBride is almost assured a historic win in the general election on November 5.

Two major endorsements followed Young’s announcement.

Lisa Blunt-Rochester, the current occupant of Delaware’s at-large seat in Congress who is now running for U.S. Senate, endorsed McBride on Thursday.

“I could not be more proud to endorse my friend State Sen. Sarah McBride for the U.S. House of Representatives,” Blunt-Richester said in a statement. “Sarah led the effort to pass paid family and medical leave, helped raise the minimum wage, and passed common sense gun safety laws. As Delaware’s congresswoman, I know what it takes to deliver for our state and that Sarah will hit the ground running as our state’s lone member of the U.S. House.”

Honored to have the support of our Congresswoman @LisaBRochester, our joyful warrior. Together we will deliver for all Delawareans. pic.twitter.com/H90DvXP3xI

— Sen. Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) June 13, 2024

An endorsement from U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) followed shortly thereafter.

“In fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, Sarah’s unrelenting work ethic demonstrates that she is not only a strong voice for Delaware, but also a powerful force for progress in our country. I am so proud to join many of my colleagues in the House in endorsing Sarah McBride — and I look forward to serving alongside her,” Pelosi’s endorsement said.

Honored to have the endorsement of Speaker Emerita Pelosi. It's an honor of a lifetime to have the support of the most effective Speaker in modern history. Team McBride could not be more excited to have @TeamPelosi on board! pic.twitter.com/6RQQKkMTJd

— Sen. Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) June 13, 2024

McBride jumped into the race a year ago this month. The former Human Rights Campaign press secretary was the first out transgender person to address a major party convention, taking the lectern following Hillary Clinton’s nomination in 2016.

McBride interned in Barack Obama’s White House and served as a staffer for Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, which began an enduring relationship with the Biden family.

Speaking to LGBTQ Nation shortly after she announced, McBride reflected on coming to terms with her identity at a young age.

“I’ve been thinking about that young person quite a bit over the last few weeks and, you know, it’s only further reinforced for me the importance that this campaign has for young people right now, who are seeing a barrage of negativity and negative attacks,” she said. “And how hopefully in 2024 we can send them a small glimmer of hope and demonstrate that the heart of this country is big enough to love them, too.”

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