Thursday, 28 Mar 2024

US on verge of electing its first transgender senator

An LGBT activist is on her way to being elected as America’s first transgender state senator.

Sarah McBride won a Democratic primary on Tuesday, giving her a clear shot at becoming the first transgender state senator in the United States.

However, McBride said that she is bringing more than just her identity to this election and wants to focus on what voters need.

‘I’m bringing my whole self to this race,’ McBride said. ‘My identity is one part of who I am, but it’s just one part. I would be legislating based not on my identity. I would be legislating based on my values and on the needs of my constituents.’

McBride is running on a platform which includes family and medical leave for all workers, reducing costs in the healthcare industry and strengthening public schools.

The candidate is contending a district ran by the longest-serving legislator in Delaware History, Democrat Harris McDowell, who has held office since 1976. McDowell is retiring and endorsed McBride for office.

McBride’s campaign has raised more than $250,000 and has eclipsed fundraising totals candidates running for statewide office in Delaware.

She is the heavy favorite to win against Republican Steve Washington, as Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district by more than 3-to-1.

McBride had previously made history by becoming the first transgender person to speak at a major party convention by appearing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. She also interned at the White House during Barack Obama’s presidency and later served as a national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign.

Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David said that he is proud of McBride and believes she will be an inspiring figure in American politics.

‘Next year, as the first transgender state senator in our nation, Sarah will show that any child can achieve their dream, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation,’ David said.

There have been dozens of LGBT politicians elected to office in the past decade in the United States, the most prominent of these being South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, who campaigned for president this past year.

In 2017, President Trump announced that transgender individuals would no longer be allowed to serve in any capacity in the US military.

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