Sarah McBride announces run for Congress

First published Monday, June 26, 2023 in the Washington Blade.

After months of speculation and anticipation, Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride has announced her run for Congress.

If elected, she would be the first and only transgender person in Congress. No other trans people have announced their run for Congress, according to the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. 

“Blocking out the noise and focusing on what actually matters isn’t easy. That part takes more than coffee,” McBride said in her announcement video she posted to Twitter. “It takes guts and a backbone.”

Despite possibly cracking the glass ceiling for trans people in Congress very soon, McBride did not emphasize — or even mention — her gender identity in the two-minute video. She instead focused on her role in passing paid medical and family leave in Delaware, which takes effect in 2026. She mentioned her gender identity only briefly in a string of tweets under her announcement video.

McBride told the New York Times that her identity is not particularly important to voters. 

“What comes up is that we need creative and courageous leadership that will meet this moment with meaningful action for people’s lives,” she said in a 2020 interview.

Nevertheless, McBride is no stranger to cracking glass ceilings. 

She was the first openly trans person to work at the White House, where she was an intern during President Barack Obama’s administration, and became the first openly trans state senator in the country in 2020. 

Accolades and support quickly poured in from LGBTQ advocacy organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign and the Victory Fund, and fellow politicians. Half of Delaware’s state senators and 10 out of 41 Delaware state representatives have endorsed McBride, according to her website.

“Her trailblazing campaign is both a sign of hope for the LGBTQ+ community and a rallying cry,” said Victory Fund President Annise Parker in a press release. “We must continue organizing, continue running for office and continue voting. Our rights depend on it.”

David Mariner, the executive director of Sussex Pride, said he’s “very excited” that she is running. 

“I’ve known Sarah for years and she has always been passionate about Delaware and supporting Delaware’s residents, and I think she will do an excellent job,” he said, emphasizing that Sussex Pride cannot endorse candidates.

“Sarah has got to speak up for the transgender community,” added Sussex Pride board member Kathy Carpenter, who is a trans woman. “Sarah is not familiar with the downstate experience. In southern Delaware, we don’t even have gender affirming care.” 

PFLAG Rehoboth did not immediately respond to a voicemail.

CAMP Rehoboth Vice President Leslie Ledogar praised McBride.

“Especially in light of the increasing disparagement of our transgender community members, I personally have a lot of respect for Sen. McBride, especially in light of the current negative climate particular surrounding transgender members of our communities,” Ledogar told the Washington Blade.

If elected, McBride would take over Delaware’s sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Lisa Blunt Rochester. 

Blunt Rochester announced her run for U.S. Senate after seven years representing Delaware in the House, where, if elected she would be the first Black person and first woman from Delaware. 

McBride said she wants to build on her success as a state legislator, propelling policies like paid family leave, gun regulations and reproductive rights in Congress.

“My commitment is to the people in Delaware who aren’t seen who don’t shout the loudest are funding political campaigns,” she said.