WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrat Sarah McBride could be elected the first transgender member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the Nov. 5 election, after her main rival in deeply Democratic Delaware withdrew from the race on Wednesday.
As 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. Other candidates have until July 8 to enter the race.
McBride praised Young for running a positive campaign on social media X, saying, “I know the story of Eugene’s contributions to our state is just beginning.”
Success in November would mark a major milestone in the acceptance of transgender people in American culture, even as the fight over transgender rights has become a partisan flashpoint in a deeply divided nation.
Whoever becomes the Democratic nominee will be a heavy favorite to win in Delaware, President Joe Biden’s home state. Biden won the 2020 presidential race against Republican then-President Donald Trump 58.8% to 39.8%.
The sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware is currently held by Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is running for the Senate seat of Thomas Carper, who is retiring 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 for their daily lives – and not for singling out their transgender neighbors. Annise Parker, head of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, said in an emailed statement.
(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Scott Malone and Leslie Adler)
