Delaware

Sarah McBride’s Historic Run for Congress

If she wins Delaware’s only House seat in November, Democrat Sarah McBride is poised to become the first openly transgender member of Congress in the United States. This historic candidacy, however, is not just the result of recent developments—it has been decades in the making, reflecting McBride’s lifelong passion for politics, social justice, and equality.

A Childhood of Aspiration:

Sarah McBride’s political journey started long before she ever entered the public spotlight. Her father, Dave McBride, recalls the moment he knew his daughter was destined for a career in politics. When Sarah was just 11 years old, she peppered her father with questions about the podium he used while teaching Sunday school. Curious, but not expecting much, Dave thought little of it at the time. However, three weeks later, Sarah surprised her parents with a makeshift stage in her bedroom—complete with a podium, an American flag, and a cardboard replica of the presidential seal. She stood there, passionately reciting Franklin D. Roosevelt’s inaugural address from 1932. “I thought, ‘We’re in trouble,’” Dave, a retired lawyer, joked.

This early passion for politics would define Sarah’s life, but at the time, her parents had no idea of the challenges she would face as she sought to balance her political aspirations with her personal identity.

Coming Out and Coming Into Her Own:

In 2011, at the age of 21, McBride came out to her parents as a transgender woman. Christmas Day marked the beginning of a challenging but ultimately rewarding journey for both Sarah and her family. Her mother, Sally, recalls the mixed emotions she felt when Sarah first came out. "I thought her life was over," Sally said, expressing fears that Sarah would face discrimination and hostility at every turn. However, she and Dave resolved to support their daughter in whatever way they could.

In the decade that followed, Sarah defied all expectations, not only surviving but thriving in both her personal and professional life. Her parents, who once worried that her political career might stall, now find themselves watching as she stands on the precipice of making history.

A Voice for Change:

Sarah McBride’s political career is not simply a quest for personal achievement—it’s a mission to ensure that she’s not the last transgender person to hold political office. Speaking from her condo in Wilmington, Delaware, after knocking on doors to connect with her constituents, McBride emphasised the importance of her candidacy. "For someone who’s scared and feels alone, it could potentially be a lifesaving message to go to sleep in November knowing that someone like them can fully participate in our democracy," she said.

For McBride, the significance of her potential win is not just symbolic. It is a message of hope and inclusion, showing that transgender people can be seen and judged based on their ideas and merits, rather than their gender identity.

A Lifelong Love for Politics:

McBride’s passion for politics stretches back to her childhood. In her 2018 memoir, Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss and the Fight for Trans Equality, she recounts her fascination with political history from an early age. In 2002, at just 11 years old, she met then-Senator Joe Biden, her political idol, at a local pizza restaurant. Biden, a fellow Delawarean, signed a page from his daily briefing book for her, writing, “Remember me when you are president.”

By the age of 20, McBride had already worked on multiple political campaigns, including those of Beau Biden, Joe Biden’s son, for Delaware Attorney General. Despite her early success in politics, McBride always felt that she was living someone else’s life. She knew from a young age that she was transgender, but her early exposure to trans people was largely through jokes on television. She threw herself into politics, driven by a desire to create a world where people like her could be themselves.

In 2011, McBride made the brave decision to come out publicly as transgender during her time as the student body president at American University. Her announcement went viral, propelling her into the national spotlight.

From Intern to Political Trailblazer:

After coming out, McBride quickly became an influential advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2012, she made history by becoming the first openly transgender woman to work in the White House as an intern for the Obama administration. A year later, she was instrumental in helping pass legislation in Delaware that prohibited discrimination against transgender people.

Her work with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation in the United States, further cemented her reputation as a leader in the fight for equality. In 2016, she made headlines again when she became the first transgender person to speak at a major political convention, delivering a speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Personal Loss and Political Resolve:

McBride’s political achievements are remarkable, but her personal life has also been marked by deep sorrow. In 2014, she married Andrew Cray, a transgender attorney and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Tragically, Cray passed away from oral cancer just four days after their wedding. His death had a profound impact on McBride, but it also reinforced her commitment to creating meaningful change.

Cray’s philosophy, McBride said, was that activism was about more than just rhetoric. It was about delivering real results that improved people’s lives. “If we aren’t able to deliver tangible results, then none of it matters,” McBride reflected, echoing her late husband’s belief in the importance of practical solutions to systemic problems.

Achieving Legislative Change:

In 2020, McBride made history once again when she became the first openly transgender state senator in the United States, representing Delaware. Her first term in the Delaware Senate saw her spearhead the passage of the Healthy Delaware Families Act, which provides paid family and medical leave for employees. This landmark piece of legislation was a testament to McBride’s ability to navigate complex political landscapes and deliver results for her constituents.

Her colleagues describe her as a bridge-builder, someone who is not only passionate about policy but also deeply committed to creating consensus. State Senator Bryan Townsend, the Senate majority leader, praised McBride for her ability to bring people together and her effectiveness as a legislator. “She’s incredibly influential,” Townsend said.

A Vision for the Future:

As she campaigns for Delaware’s only House seat, McBride’s priorities are clear: expanding access to affordable healthcare, increasing the minimum wage, and protecting reproductive rights. These issues resonate deeply with Delaware’s voters, and McBride is committed to making progress on them if she wins in November.

While her opponent, Republican John Whalen III, has focused on issues such as illegal immigration and reducing the federal debt, McBride’s vision is grounded in a belief that government can and should work for all people, especially the most vulnerable.

Her candidacy has sparked hope not only in Delaware but across the country. For many, her potential election to Congress represents a step toward a more inclusive and equitable America, where people are judged by their abilities and ideas rather than their identity.

Looking Ahead

As McBride’s campaign for Congress continues, her friends and colleagues are already speculating about her future. Some believe she has the potential to reach even higher offices, perhaps even the presidency. But for McBride, the focus remains on serving the people of Delaware and creating lasting change.

“I think I wanted to be president when I was, like, 5 years old,” McBride laughed. But now, she says, she’s more focused on the present, adding with a smile, “I think we’ve taken the ‘anyone can be president’ thing a bit too literally over the past eight years.”

Conclusion

Sarah McBride’s candidacy for Congress is the culmination of decades of work, dedication, and passion. If she wins, she will not only make history as the first openly transgender member of Congress but also serve as a beacon of hope for countless others who see themselves in her journey. For McBride, however, making history isn’t enough—she wants to ensure that she’s not the last, that more people from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to participate fully in American democracy.

Her story is one of resilience, courage, and determination, and as the November election approaches, all eyes are on Delaware to see if McBride’s historic run will indeed mark a new chapter in U.S. political history.