Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride, a Democrat, is poised to make history in November’s general election as the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. Congress. McBride, 33, won the Democratic primary, making her the front-runner to succeed U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester in the race for Tom Carper’s Senate seat. McBride will face Republican nominee John Whalen III, a political newcomer, in a race that has garnered national attention for its potential impact on LGBTQ+ representation and progressive legislation.
McBride’s candidacy stands as a milestone not only for Delaware but for the entire country. If elected, she would become the youngest federal official sent from Delaware since Joe Biden, at 29, won a Senate seat in 1972. Despite this groundbreaking potential, McBride stresses that she is not running to make history based on her identity but to deliver substantive progress for her constituents. “I’m running to make historic progress for Delawareans,” she said after her primary victory, underscoring that her primary focus is on policies that improve everyday lives.
In her victory speech on Tuesday night, McBride emphasized the stakes of the upcoming election, citing issues such as democracy, civil rights, and freedom. “Our rights, our freedoms, our dignity, and our democracy are on the line in this election,” she told supporters. “While tonight we celebrate our victory in the primary, we all know our work is far from over, and we know what is at stake in November.”
McBride’s political career has been one of continuous advocacy for equality and justice. A Wilmington native, she was elected to the Delaware Senate in 2020, making her the first openly transgender state senator in the United States. Prior to that, McBride gained national prominence for her work with the Human Rights Campaign, where she served as national press secretary, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights across the nation. In 2016, McBride became the first openly transgender person to speak at a major party’s national convention when she addressed the Democratic National Convention.
Her platform is centered around key issues that resonate with Delaware voters, including paid family and medical leave, healthcare reform, and strengthening public education. McBride played a critical role in passing family and medical leave legislation in Delaware, a victory she continues to highlight on the campaign trail.
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The November Matchup: Whalen’s Challenge
McBride’s opponent, John Whalen III, is a retired Delaware State Police officer and business owner with no previous political experience. Whalen, who won the Republican primary over Donyale Hall, has positioned himself as a conservative voice for Delaware, focusing on issues such as illegal immigration, the federal debt, and opposition to what he calls “the war on fossil fuels.” While Whalen’s campaign has garnered support from conservative voters, he faces a steep uphill battle against McBride, who enjoys a significant fundraising advantage and broader name recognition.
As of late August, McBride’s campaign had raised nearly $3 million, with $1.7 million still available to spend, a stark contrast to Whalen’s campaign, which reported just over $2,000 in cash on hand and an $8,300 loan to his campaign. The financial disparity underscores the challenges facing Whalen in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 150,000 voters.
While Whalen has yet to secure widespread media attention, his campaign website outlines his stance on several key conservative issues. He is critical of federal government spending and policies he claims are detrimental to energy independence, particularly those that seek to phase out fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy. Whalen’s law enforcement background has also played a central role in his messaging, appealing to voters concerned about public safety and immigration enforcement.
Despite these positions, Whalen’s candidacy has not gained significant traction outside of his core base, and he faces the additional challenge of running in a state that has trended Democratic in recent elections. Delaware has not elected a Republican to a statewide office since 2010, and in the 2020 presidential election, President Joe Biden won his home state by 19 points.
The Importance of Representation
For McBride, the November election is about more than personal victory—it is about continuing her lifelong work advocating for civil rights and justice for all marginalized communities. Should she win, McBride would become the first openly transgender person to serve in the U.S. Congress, an achievement that LGBTQ+ advocates and allies view as a critical step forward for representation at the federal level.
Annise Parker, president of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, hailed McBride’s primary win as a reflection of voters’ desire for leaders who focus on issues rather than identity. “Voters across the country are sick and tired of the divisive politics of the past—that’s why we’re seeing an increase in diverse, young candidates like Sarah McBride clearing their primaries,” Parker said in a statement following McBride’s victory. “Nobody is more qualified than Sarah to represent the values of Delaware in Congress.”
Equality PAC, a group that works to elect LGBTQ+ leaders, echoed this sentiment. In a statement, co-chairs U.S. Reps. Mark Takano of California and Ritchie Torres of New York praised McBride’s candidacy as a crucial step in the fight for equality. “Our mission at Equality PAC is to make sure that every part of the LGBTQ+ community has a seat at the table at the highest levels of our government,” the group stated. “We are proud to stand alongside Sarah as we celebrate this victory tonight.”
McBride’s candidacy comes at a time when transgender rights are at the forefront of national political discourse. Across the country, several Republican-led states have passed legislation restricting access to gender-affirming care for minors and limiting transgender individuals’ participation in sports. McBride has been a vocal critic of these efforts, calling them examples of “far-right extremism” that harm vulnerable communities.
“In 2020, I became the first openly trans person elected to serve as a State Senator anywhere in the country,” McBride wrote on social media. “It really felt like America was blazing a path to the future. But since then, the far-right has tried to use the LGBTQ+ community as a scapegoat for their policy failures.”
McBride’s potential election to Congress would send a powerful message about the importance of inclusive representation in government. Additionally, it would give the transgender community, particularly young people who frequently feel left out due to the current political climate, hope. “For our democracy to work, it needs to include all of us,” McBride said.
The Bottom Line
As the campaign heads into its final stretch, McBride’s message of hope and inclusivity remains central to her outreach. “We are here because of what is possible,” she said during her primary night speech, stressing the need for progress on issues such as healthcare, economic equality, and environmental sustainability.
With Delaware’s strong Democratic base and her proven track record in public service, McBride remains the favorite heading into November’s election. However, she acknowledges that the road ahead will not be easy. “There will certainly be attacks,” she told the Associated Press, referring to potential criticism from opponents over her identity. “But I’m no stranger to those. What I’ve demonstrated over the last few years is that I’m able to move past those attacks and focus on what matters to the people I represent.”
If McBride wins, her election would mark not only a historic first for transgender representation in Congress but also a significant shift in the broader landscape of American politics, where diverse candidates are increasingly breaking barriers and challenging the status quo. The November election will be a decisive moment, not just for Delaware but for the entire country.
For McBride, it is a moment filled with hope, progress, and the potential to shape a more inclusive future for all Americans.
