State Sen. Sarah McBride Monday announced her candidacy for the state’s lone congressional seat.
McBride’s candidacy quickly became national news. If elected, McBride would become the first transgender member of Congress. McBride represents a solid Democrat senate district in Wilmington and was the first transgender person elected to a state Senate seat.
The announcement follows U.S. Lisa Blunt Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester announcing her candidacy for the open U.S. Senate held by Tom Carper, who decided not to run another term.
Blunt Rochester opted for a YouTube video in making her announcement. McBride went a more traditional route and announced in a story in the News Journal.
McBride’s candidacy came as no surprise as her name was quickly mentioned when Carper announced his retirement plans this month. The congressional race could attact a crowded field.
McBride worked on Jack Markell’s campaign for governor and for the late Beau Biden’s campaign for Attorney General. McBride been credited with Delaware passing landmark legislation that bars discrimination based on gender preference.
While serving as a state senator, McBride became known for hammering out compromises on environmental other issues. She championed a family leave bill and engineered compromises that included exempting the smallest businesses from its provisions.
