The first trans politician Sarah McBride was elected to Congress

With the election of Sarah McBride to Delaware’s only seat in the House of Representatives, Congress will have its first openly transgender member.

Ms. McBride, a former state senator, handily defeated her Republican opponent, former state trooper John Whalen, in the Blue State.

The 34-year-old is a close friend of the Biden family and is credited with helping shape the US president’s stance on LGBTQ issues.

She previously worked for Mr. Biden’s late son, Beau Biden, when he was running for attorney general in his home state.

The president also wrote the foreword to Ms. McBride’s 2018 memoir, “Tomorrow Will Be Different.”

Although Ms. McBride did not rely on the historic nature of her campaign, she championed the theme of respect for all.

“I didn’t run to make history”

“Tonight is a testament to Delawareans that we have shown time and time again that in this neighboring state we judge candidates on their ideas, not their identities,” Ms. McBride said in her victory speech.

“I didn’t run to make history. I ran to make a difference for my state and this country,” she added.

“I think this sends a strong message that Delawareans are sincere and that our democracy is big enough for all of us.”

Ms. McBride has made a name for herself nationally as an LGBTQ activist and was the first openly transgender person to speak at a major party convention when she delivered a speech at the DNC in 2016.

She raised more than $3 million in campaign contributions from across the country for her bid for Congress.

Delaware’s only House seat was vacated by Lisa Blunt Rochester, who was running in the state to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Carper.