Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride announced Monday she's running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Already the first openly transgender state senator elected in the country, she'd be the first transgender member of Congress if she wins in November.

In a video posted to social media, McBride, a Democrat, said people deserve a representative “who sees them and who respects them.” Her announcement also highlighted her support for paid family leave, which passed the state Senate last year.

“This law is a good start, but government should do more to make it easier for people to raise a family,” she said. “So I'm running for Congress.”

McBride was elected in 2020 in a heavily Democratic district stretching from northern Wilmington to the Pennsylvania border. There are several other transgender legislators around the country but she's the first trans member of any state Senate.

McBride interned at the White House under former President Barack Obama and made history at the 2016 Democratic National Convention as the first openly trans person to speak at a major party convention.

McBride has long-standing ties to Delaware’s best-known political family. She worked on the late Beau Biden’s campaigns for state attorney general, and Beau’s father, President Joe Biden, wrote the foreword to her memoir. She also worked on the campaign of former Gov. Jack Markell.

She succeeded fellow Democrat Harris McDowell, who held the Senate seat since 1976 and endorsed McBride’s candidacy.

McBride’s campaign generated interest and money from around the country, bringing in more than $270,000 in donations as of early October 2020, eclipsing fundraising totals even for candidates for statewide office in Delaware.

A former student body president at American University, McBride started in politics as a volunteer for Matt Denn, former legal counsel to Delaware’s governor, during his successful 2004 campaign for insurance commissioner. Denn, who later served as lieutenant governor and attorney general, worked with McBride’s father at a Wilmington law firm known for its close ties to the Democratic Party establishment.

Share:
More In Politics
Closing Bell: February 13, 2018
Chipotle announces a new CEO. Dominos and Tinder and teaming up for Valentine's Day. The Director of National Intelligence sounds the alarm on Russia and the midterms elections. Sarah Kauss is the CEO of water bottle company S'well. Her small idea has turned into one of the most successful female-run businesses. Legal technology platform CannaRegs is on a mission to make sense of the legal landscape of marijuana for stakeholders in this growing space. Vermont Governor Phil Scott is asking legislators in his state to speed up equal pay legislation.
Between Bells: February 13, 2018
This Changes Things: Advice for the executives and leaders of tomorrow, brought to you by American Express OPEN. On Between Bells: Adam Rippon & The Official Johnny G. Weir win the Olympics. With SB Nation, UNO, PCMag, and more.
The World Reacts to the Obama Portraits
The National Portrait Gallery has two new additions thanks to Barack and Michelle Obama's official paintings. Latina Magazine's Taiia Young joins Cheddar to discuss the added significance to this American tradition.
Between Bells: February 12, 2018
On Between Bells: Infrastructure, budget, and John Kelly's future. Plus, major Olympic moments and the first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue of the #MeToo era. With The Young Turks, Rare Media, The Daily Caller, Royal Canin, and more.
Opening Bell: February 13, 2018
In their annual letter, Bill and Melinda Gates share their thoughts on the Trump administration and social media's growing influence. Under Armour saw a 47% surge in international sales last quarter. Facebook's VP of U.S. Public Policy and Chief Privacy Officer joins Cheddar to discuss the importance of doing regular privacy check-ups. Ty Pennington and Amanda Brinkman, co-hosts of the show "Small Business Revolution - Main Street," tell us what to expect from the upcoming third season.
"Young China" in the Modern Era
Zak Dychtwald, author of "Young China: How the Restless Generation Will Change Their Country and the World," discusses how his time in China after graduation inspired him to write a book about China's younger generation.
The Government's Role in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity has been a hot topic in America over the past year. With more and more hacks going public, what role does the government play in creating regulation? Megan Stifel, Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council and former Cybersecurity Policy Adviser at the White House National Security Council joins Cheddar to discuss the relationship between Washington DC and cybersecurity.
Load More