By Joseph Edelen

DOVER — Democratic state Sen. Sarah McBride will be Delaware’s next congresswoman following a decisive win in the general election Tuesday.

As of 10 p.m., she had received 58% of the vote, compared to 42% for Republican political newcomer John Whalen III of Millsboro — a former state trooper and retired businessman.

“Thank you, Delaware! Because of your votes and your values, I am proud to be your next member of Congress,” Sen. McBride posted on Facebook Tuesday night. “Delaware has sent the message loud and clear that we must be a country that protects reproductive freedom, that guarantees paid leave and affordable child care for all our families, that ensures that housing and health care are available to everyone and that this is a democracy that is big enough for all of us.”

The Wilmington senator’s victory is significant, as she will become the first openly transgender member of either the U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senate. A similar barrier was broken upon her election to the Delaware General Assembly in 2020.

Sen. McBride will replace departing Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who was elected to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Tom Carper on Tuesday. The congresswoman made history herself, becoming the third Black female elected to that chamber.

During her tenure in the state legislature, Sen. McBride quickly became a leading voice among Democrats.

Her hallmark piece of legislation was the Healthy Delaware Families Act, which created a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program.

Under the bill, which became law in 2022 and will take effect Jan. 1, 2025, employees can receive up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave of up to 80% of their current wages or a maximum of $900 per week.

Sen. McBride also led legislation to bolster Medicaid funding, to protect children from lead exposure, to establish landmark nondiscrimination protections and to require media literacy education in schools.

She also was an advocate for the Democrats’ gun safety package following the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting in May 2022.

“Everyone deserves a member of Congress who sees them and respects them. During a time when too many politicians want to divide us, I promise to be a leader that blocks out the noise and focuses on what really matters,” Sen. McBride said upon announcing her candidacy in June 2023.

Prior to her role in the legislature, she served as the national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ+ rights organization.

Further, she worked on the 2008 gubernatorial campaign for former Gov. Jack Markell and the 2010 race for the late Attorney General Beau Biden, as well as in the White House during the Obama administration in 2012.

Sen. McBride has received widespread media attention in her pursuit for Congress, including an appearance on “CBS Sunday Morning” on Oct. 20 and on other national networks.

It was eight years ago when she became the first openly trans person to speak at a political party’s national convention, delivering a speech at the Democratic National Convention.
Now, Sen. McBride will head to a U.S. House currently controlled by Republicans. Prior to Election Day, it consisted of 220 Republicans and 212 Democrats, with three seats vacant.
However, if the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate and the Republican-controlled U.S. House both flip to the opposite party, it will be the first time in 230 years that both chambers do so, according to The Associated Press.

Back in Delaware, since Sen. McBride is heading to Washington in January 2025, there will be a special election for her seat in the state Senate, likely before the end of the year.