Sarah McBride, a Democrat, could become the first transgender member of the United States House of Representatives in the Nov. 5 election, after her primary opponent in highly Democratic Delaware dropped out on Wednesday.
McBride, a member of the Delaware state assembly, now has a clear field for the Sept. 10 primary after Eugene Young, former director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, dropped out. Other candidates have until July 8 to join the race.
McBride applauded Young for running a positive campaign on social media, stating, “I know the story of Eugene’s contributions to our state is only just beginning.”
Success in November would be a watershed moment in the acceptance of transgender individuals in American culture, even as disputes over transgender rights have become a partisan flashpoint in a bitterly divided country.
The Democratic nominee will be significantly favored to win in Delaware, President Joe Biden’s home state. Biden defeated Republican then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, winning 58.8% to 39.8%.
The lone U.S. House position in Delaware is presently 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 demonstrates that voters want their leaders to focus on the issues that affect their daily lives – not singling out their trans neighbors,” said Annise Parker, head of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, in an emailed statement.
Source: reuters.com
