On November 5, the state of Delaware made history after electing Sarah McBride and Lisa Blunt Rochester. This marked a milestone for both LGBTQ+ and African American representation in politics. McBride, who ran for Delaware’s singular seat in the U.S. House, made history as the first transgender woman ever elected to the House of Representatives. In the other legislative body, the Senate, Blunt Rochester ended her night as the first person of color and first female senator from Delaware.
McBride won against her Republican counterpart John Whalen with 57.9% of the vote. In 2020, McBride became Delaware’s first openly transgender state senator and their first openly LGBTQ+ state legislator. McBride’s priorities consist of economic and physical protection. She ran for Congress on the basis of ensuring access to reproductive healthcare and bringing down health costs, as well as keeping people safe from gun violence in Delaware.
Blunt Rochester won against Republican opponent Eric Hansen with 56.6% of the vote. In 2016, Blunt Rochester became the first woman and the first person of color elected to represent Delaware in Congress in the House of Representatives. Alongside McBride, Blunt Rochester advocates against gun violence and the mitigation of climate change. She also believes in improving Delaware’s education systems.
As Delaware welcomes this new, exciting chapter in their political journey, the victories of these women symbolize diversity and progress in the representation of Delaware and the United States as a whole. Both McBride and Blunt Rochester come from very different backgrounds but share common goals of improving their state for years to come.
