WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrat Sarah McBride could be elected as the first transgender member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the Nov. 5 election, after her primary rival in deeply Democratic Delaware dropped out of the race on Wednesday.
A member of the Delaware state assembly, McBride now faces a clear field in the Sept. 10 primary after Eugene Young, former director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, ended his candidacy. The remaining candidates have until July 8th to participate in the contest.
McBride praised Young for running a positive social media campaign X, saying, “I know the story of Eugene’s contributions to our state is just beginning.”
Success in November would represent a major milestone in the acceptance of transgender people in American culture, even as battles over transgender rights have become a partisan flashpoint in a deeply divided nation.
Whoever becomes the Democratic nominee will be heavily favored to win Delaware, President Joe Biden’s home state. Biden won the 2020 presidential race against then-Republican President Donald Trump, 58.8% to 39.8%.
Delaware’s only seat in the U.S. House is currently held by Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is running for the Senate seat held by Thomas Carper, who will retire at the end of the year.
“With trans rights under attack in states across the country, Sarah McBride’s ability to clear the primary field to represent Delaware in Congress proves that voters want their leaders to focus on solving the issues that matter to them. everyday lives – and not in singling out their trans neighbors,” said Annise Parker, head of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, in an emailed statement.
(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Scott Malone and Leslie Adler)
