DE State Senator Sarah McBride Announces Run for US Congress
State Senator Sarah McBride has announced that she will run for Delaware’s lone Congressional seat – to succeed Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, who has filed to run for the US Senate seat being vacated by Tom Carper. McBride says that government should do more to make it easier for people to raise a family. In her first term in the Delaware State Senate she sponsored the Healthy Delaware Families Act as well as legislation that expanded access to health care, requires mental health and media literacy education in public schools and promotes green technologies. When she was elected in November of 2020, McBride became the first openly transgender state senator in American history.
Additional information from Senator McBride’s press release:
In a video released this morning announcing her candidacy, McBride vows to fight for Delaware families and build on her successful track record of passing critical policies, such as the landmark Healthy Delaware Families Act, and improving the lives of her constituents. McBride would be the first openly trans person to serve in Congress.
“I’m running for Congress to be the voice that Delaware needs to make government work better for all families, especially when hard times hit,” said Senator McBride. “I’ve spent my life advocating for my neighbors and delivering real results, from landmark policies to historic investments to protect our families. As a caregiver for my late husband, Andy, I experienced some of the struggles that too many families face when their loved one is seriously ill. That’s why I led our state in passing the Healthy Delaware Families Act to provide paid medical and family leave to workers up and down our state.
“This campaign isn’t just about making history – it’s about moving forward. To strengthen our democracy, we need effective leaders who believe in taking bold action and building bridges for lasting progress. In Congress, I’ll support a strong agenda that invests in workers and families, addresses gun violence, protects access to abortion and tackles climate change.”
“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. I look forward to earning the votes of Delawareans across our great state and continuing to prove that small states can do big things.”
McBride also announced an extensive first round of endorsers including more than twenty Delaware elected officials, community organizers, labor leaders and community and national advocacy organizations.
ABOUT SARAH MCBRIDE
Sarah McBride represents roughly 50,000 Delawareans in the First State Senate District, which includes parts of Wilmington and Brandywine Hundred. Sarah grew up in Wilmington and has been advocating for her community for decades. She worked for former Governor Jack Markell, the late Attorney General Beau Biden, and served in the Obama White House. Most recently, she served as the national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ equal rights organization.
When McBride was elected in November 2020, she became the first openly transgender state senator in American history. In just her first term, McBride passed the landmark Healthy Delaware Families Act, providing paid family and medical leave to workers throughout the First State and marking the largest expansion of Delaware’s social safety net in decades. She also passed legislation expanding access to health care, requiring mental health and media literacy education in public schools, promoting green technologies, preventing lead poisoning in youth, and protecting workers and families.
McBride currently serves as chair of the Senate Health & Social Services Committee and is a member of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, Education Committee, Banking, Business, Insurance, and Technology Committee, and Executive Committee.
Sarah married her late husband Andrew Cray in 2014 and is the proud aunt of seven. She is a graduate of Cab Calloway School of the Arts and American University. McBride has taught public policy at the University of Delaware and is the author of the 2018 memoir, “Tomorrow Will Be Different,” which includes a foreword from President Joe Biden.
