Sarah McBride
2025 - Present
2027
0
Sarah McBride (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Delaware's At-Large Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2025. Her current term ends on January 3, 2027.
McBride (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Delaware's At-Large Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
McBride (D) defeated John Whalen III (Delaware) in the general election for Delaware's At-Large Congressional District on November 5, 2024. According to CNN, McBride is the first out transgender person to serve in Congress.[1]
Biography
Sarah McBride was born in Wilmington, Delaware. She earned a bachelor's degree from American University in 2013. McBride's career experience includes working as a national press secretary with the Human Rights Campaign, with the Center for American Progress, with the White House during the Obama administration, with former Gov. Jack Markell, and with former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. She has served as a member of the board of directors with the Delaware Art Museum, with Delaware Colleges of Art and Design, and with Equality Delaware.[2]
Elections
2026
See also: United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Incumbent Sarah McBride and Donyale Hall are running in the general election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Sarah McBride (D) | ||
| Donyale Hall (R) | ||
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Endorsements
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2024
See also: United States House of Representatives election in Delaware, 2024
Delaware's At-Large Congressional District election, 2024 (September 10 Republican primary)
Delaware's At-Large Congressional District election, 2024 (September 10 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Sarah McBride defeated John Whalen III in the general election for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sarah McBride (D) | 57.9 | 287,830 | |
| John Whalen III (R) | 42.1 | 209,606 | ||
| Total votes: 497,436 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
Sarah McBride defeated Earl Cooper and Elias Weir in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sarah McBride | 79.9 | 66,764 | |
| Earl Cooper | 16.2 | 13,557 | ||
| Elias Weir | 3.9 | 3,286 | ||
| Total votes: 83,607 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Colleen Davis (D)
- Eugene Young (D)
- Alexander Geise (D)
- Lisa Blunt Rochester (D)
- Curtis Aiken (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District
John Whalen III defeated Donyale Hall in the Republican primary for U.S. House Delaware At-large District on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Whalen III | 55.8 | 19,880 | |
| Donyale Hall | 44.2 | 15,752 | ||
| Total votes: 35,632 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joseph Arminio (R)
2022
See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Delaware State Senate District 1
Incumbent Sarah McBride won election in the general election for Delaware State Senate District 1 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sarah McBride (D) | 100.0 | 13,204 | |
| Total votes: 13,204 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sarah McBride advanced from the Democratic primary for Delaware State Senate District 1.
2020
See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Delaware State Senate District 1
Sarah McBride defeated Steve Washington in the general election for Delaware State Senate District 1 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sarah McBride (D) | 73.3 | 16,865 | |
| Steve Washington (R) | 26.7 | 6,144 | ||
| Total votes: 23,009 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Delaware State Senate District 1
Sarah McBride defeated Joseph McCole in the Democratic primary for Delaware State Senate District 1 on September 15, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sarah McBride | 91.3 | 7,902 | |
| Joseph McCole | 8.7 | 752 | ||
| Total votes: 8,654 | ||||
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Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Steve Washington advanced from the Republican primary for Delaware State Senate District 1.
Endorsements
To view McBride's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2024
Sarah McBride did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
McBride’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Expanding access to healthcare and bringing down costs. The fight does not end with universal coverage. No one should have to choose between their job and getting the care they need, which is why in Congress I will fight for guaranteed paid sick time and paid family and medical leave. From nurses and physician assistants to dentists and physicians, health care providers are the backbone of our health care system. Everyone should be able to access a quality provider near them, regardless of whether you live in a small town in Sussex or just north of Wilmington. As I have successfully done in the legislature, I will support our health care workforce by bringing investments to Delaware for education and career support. Ensuring access to reproductive health care. It is so important that we shed light on the importance of reproductive health and maternal health, especially for women of color. We must take decisive action to bridge the gap in health disparities here at home and around the world. In 2022, I helped expand Medicaid coverage for post-pregnancy care. In Congress, I will be a staunch advocate for coverage, including through Medicaid, for the full range of reproductive health care patients need and to end draconian policies like the global gag rule that limit funds internationally in reproductive health care. An economy that benefits workers and families. Every worker deserves a living wage, basic protections, good benefits, and the support necessary for them to thrive. That is why Congress must increase the federal minimum wage to $15 and set it to rise with inflation. In Congress, I will fight to pass the critical policies that got cut from the Build Back Better Act like paid family and medical leave, universal childcare, and investments in housing and elder care. Advocating for workers’ rights and strengthening unions. In Congress, I will sponsor and support the PRO Act. Just as I have in the General Assembly, I will work arm and arm with unions to enhance protections for the right to organize, fully fund agencies looking out for workers, and ensure that as new industries and economies emerge, they are powered by a unionized workforce. I will also fight to codify President Biden's executive order that federal projects are contracted with unionized workforces. Unions don’t need lip service; they deserve a champion. Reforming our criminal justice system. In Delaware, I’ve supported meaningful criminal justice reforms aimed at reducing recidivism, expanding expungements, and ensuring reintegration after incarceration. I have also supported expanding the use of police body cameras, pressed for reform in police training, and advocated for increased transparency in policing. I'll bring this experience to Congress and help make our criminal justice system work for everyone. I’ll vote to end mass incarceration, legalize marijuana and expunge convictions, and help to reimagine a system that prioritizes reentry and prevents recidivism. Rescuing our climate and promoting sustainability. In the House, I’ll fight to increase investment in renewable energy, make green technologies affordable and accessible for consumers and businesses, and ensure that the sustainable industries of the future employ a local and unionized workforce. In order to achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible, the United States must demonstrate commitment to both domestic action and global investment. Keeping our families safe from gun violence. I am proud to have helped ban assault weapons in Delaware and pass the most significant gun safety package in the state’s history. When elected to Congress, I will vote to strengthen background checks, ban assault weapons, and institute safeguards to prevent dangerous individuals from getting guns. A future-looking economy that benefits Delaware. Nearly forty-five years later, Delaware is writing a new economic chapter for our state. Our financial system is undergoing a radical transformation as businesses and banks transition to using new financial technologies, or fintechs. Delaware has the capacity to leverage our legacy to become a leader in these evolving industries, but only with federal action that lays the foundation for innovation. Congress must help position the United States - and Delaware - as a global leader by fostering progress with federal investment and federal regulation that provide consumers with protections and entrepreneurs with clarity. The United States has not enacted new securities laws since 1933. Our existing laws around banking do not fit 21st century technologies and without updates, we risk harming consumers, innovation, and economic opportunities. Clear and stable rules that defend the privacy and security of consumers serve businesses and consumers well. Passing robust data privacy legislation will restore consumer agency over personal data and help build trust and confidence in emerging financial services. Just as I’ve done in the Delaware General Assembly, I’ll fight for these common sense protections. By embracing fintech, blockchain technology, and crypto innovation, we have the opportunity to cultivate a more inclusive economy that reaches every corner of our nation – and sets Delaware’s economy up for long term success. Protecting and expanding access to voting. In the Delaware General Assembly, I have joined many of my colleagues in passing vote by mail, early voting, and same-day voter registration. These efforts have been blocked by extremist voices peddling Donald Trump’s lies to undermine the right to vote. In February of this year, Delaware’s Superior Court issued a decision in a case brought by the Delaware Republican Party striking down laws passed by the Delaware General Assembly to expand early voting and permanent absentee voting in Delaware. While I’m hopeful that this decision will be overturned on appeal, this ruling made it clear that no state is safe from Republican Party extremists looking to reduce voter participation and take away access to the ballot box until Congress passes stronger voting rights protections. When elected, I will co-sponsor and fight to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. These bills will protect voting rights and combat the issues compromising the integrity of our electoral system such as dark money politics, election denialism, and gerrymandering. In Congress, I will be a champion of free and fair elections and work to strengthen our Democracy.[3] |
” |
| —Sarah McBride’s campaign website (2024)[4] | ||
2022
Sarah McBride did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Sarah McBride completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McBride's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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For her efforts advancing equality in Delaware, former Gov. Markell awarded Sarah the Order of the First State, making her one of the youngest Delawareans granted the state's highest civilian honor.
Sarah currently serves as a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBTQ advocacy organization. In 2016, she made history when she spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. And this past year, Sarah taught public policy to students at the University of Delaware's Biden Institute.
Sarah is also the author of Tomorrow Will Be Different, which recounts her experiences fighting for equality in Delaware and nationally, as well as her relationship with her late husband, Andrew Cray, for whom McBride was a caregiver throughout a battle with cancer that ultimately claimed his life.
Sarah, who serves on the board of several local boards, has been endorsed by the Delaware Democratic Party.
- Sarah has spent her life fighting for people to have dignity and a fair shot and has delivered real results.
- Sarah has the creativity and imagination to meet this moment with meaningful change that makes a real difference in people's lives.
- Sarah knows that to grow Delaware's economy and bring jobs to the first state we need to make health care affordable, build quality public schools, and adopt real benefits for working families.
I've been a caregiver and I know how challenging it is. Delaware should join other states by passing universal paid family and medical leave so that nobody has to choose between their family and a day's wages.
Delaware is full of excellent educators who are deeply committed to every student's success, but Dover has a lot of work to do to ensure that our tax dollars give every child from Cape to Christina the same great education I got from Red Clay. From supporting wrap-around services to reforming our funding that accounts for students living with poverty, language barriers, and disabilities, I am committed to leveling the playing field for our kids.
Kids who start their education early are getting a head start on the rest of their lives. We've made real progress on early childhood education; now it's time to guarantee that every family can access affordable early childhood education.
Every generation is defined by whether or not they expand opportunity and equality to those who have been excluded and left behind. I'm running to build a Delaware that more fully lives up to our values as a state of neighbors. In order to meet that responsibility, we must all demonstrate compassion and courage.
While we were still dating, Andy was diagnosed with cancer. After initially getting a clean bill of health, Andy received the news that every cancer patient fears: his cancer was back and it was terminal. When we found out that he didn't have much time left, Andy and I decided to get married. I was lucky enough to marry the man of my dreams, but unfortunately cancer would take him away from me just days later.
Throughout his battle with cancer, I served as Andy's caregiver. I do so while we both tried to balance full time jobs. There were times where I doubted whether I had the strength. There were moments when I worried that I wouldn't be able to do what was necessary to keep Andy alive. But his love for me, and my love for him, kept me going.
To do that, we need to ensure working families have real benefits like paid family and medical leave and a livable wage, access to high quality public schools, and affordable health care that meets their needs. We need to harness new technologies and emerging industries to build an innovative and green economy. To do that, we need leaders with courage, compassion, and imagination to meet this moment with meaningful action.
I've met Delawareans caring for an ill spouse, parents struggling to afford childcare, workers who have seen their wages cut during COVID-19, and families who have lost loved ones to violence or the opioid epidemic. Despite the challenges people are facing, I've met neighbors who have turned their pain into purpose and persevered through hardship. Throughout the campaign, the hopefulness and compassion of my neighbors throughout the First District, from Wilmington to Bellefonte to Claymont, have left me inspired.
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Campaign finance summary
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Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope. Know of one we missed? Click here to let us know.
State legislative tenure
Scorecards
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Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Delaware scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Delaware State Legislature was in session from January 9 to June 30.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Delaware State Legislature was in session from January 10 to June 30. |
2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Delaware State Legislature was in session from January 11 to June 30.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Delaware State Legislature was in session from January 12 to June 30.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Delaware State Legislature was in session from January 14 to June 30. |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
McBride was assigned to the following committees:
- Banking, Business, and Insurance Committee
- Senate Education Committee
- Executive Committee
- Health & Social Services Committee, Chair
- Senate Judiciary Committee
2021-2022
McBride was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Corrections and Public Safety Committee
- Health & Social Services Committee, Chair
- Housing Committee
- Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ CNN, "Sarah McBride will win open Delaware seat, becoming first transgender person in Congress, CNN projects," November 5, 2024
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 28, 2020
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Sarah McBride’s campaign website, "Priorities,” accessed October 22, 2024
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lisa Blunt Rochester (D) |
U.S. House Delaware At-large District 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Harris McDowell (D) |
Delaware State Senate District 1 2020-2025 |
Succeeded by Dan Cruce (D) |
