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
Millennial Misconceptions
Your Cheddar hosts Kristen Scholer and Tim Stenovec discuss the top news of the day. A recent study is blowing the conception that millennials are bad at saving out of the water. Plus, the Federal Reserve has a new chairman....but they're coming in at a time where the U.S. dollar is at its lowest. All these and more on today's episode of Your Cheddar.
Closing Bell: January 23, 2018
Anthony Noto is leaving his post as COO of Twitter to become the CEO of financial technology company, SoFi. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Former FBI Director James Comey reportedly questioned as part of the Russia inquiry by the special counsel. Fast Company Writer and Producer John Converse Townsend got microchipped back in October 2017. This week Vermont became the ninth state to legalize recreational marijuana. It's also the first state to enact this through legislation.
Keeping Your Online Searches Private and Secure
Alternative search engine DuckDuckGo has been around for 10 years and champions internet privacy and security. The secure search engine does not track users IP addresses nor their search history. Now, DuckDuckGo is out with a new product to keep consumers safe when they travel onto sites outside of the search engine.
Medical Marijuana Expansion
Cheddar's weekly series "CannaBiz" focuses on the business of marijuana, and market opportunity in this space. Cheddar Anchor's Brad Smith and Baker Machado dive into the latest trends in this space.
The State of Marijuana Regulation
This week Vermont became the ninth state to legalize recreational marijuana. It's also the first state to enact this through legislation. Marijuana Policy Project's Director of Communication Morgan Fox explains the state of regulation, and how his organization is pushing for greater legalization.
Attorney General Reportedly Questioned in Russia Inquiry
Attorney General Jeff Sessions questioned as part of the Russia inquiry by the Special Counsel, according to The New York Times. Axios Reporter Alayna Treene explains the implications of this interview from a member of President Trump's cabinet.
Government Shutdown Showdown Ends For Now
The government is back up and running after Congress passed a short-term budget deal. The deal funds the government until February 8th, but is the showdown really over, or has it just been delayed?
Breaking Down President Trump's Diet
Max Lugavere explains why no one should copy President Trump's diet. Lugavere is the author of a new book titled "Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain For Life."
Shutdown Ends and New Deadline Looms
Michael Edison Hayden, politics reporter for Newsweek, discusses the deal Democrats made with Republicans to re-open the government for another three weeks. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) promised to address immigration before the next funding deadline.
Closing Bell: January 22, 2018
The government is close to reopening. The Senate voted Monday in favor of a temporary spending bill to fund the government until February 8th. Netflix announces its 4th quarter earnings. Actor Nicolas Cage sits down at Sundance to talk about the making of Revenge Thriller "Mandy". Ralph Lauren unveils its 2018 Team USA Olympic uniforms for the opening ceremony.
Load More