Transgender activist wins Delaware state senate primary

 Trans activist Sarah McBride won a Democratic state Senate primary in Delaware on Tuesday and is poised to make history as first trans person elected to General Assembly.

McBride defeated Joseph McCole to vance to vember general election. Senate district in contention stretches from rrn Wilmington to Pennsylvania border, and has been held by Democrat Harris McDowell since 1976. McDowell, who is retiring and has endorsed McBride, is longest-serving legislator in Delaware history.

Democrats outnumber Republicans in district by more than 3-to-1, and McBride is heavy favorite against Republican Steve Washington in vember.

If elected, McBride would join a handful of or trans legislators around country but would be first trans state senator.

“I’m bringing my whole self to this race,” McBride told Associated Press in an interview before Tuesday’s primary. “My identity is one part of who I am, but it’s just one part.”

“I would be legislating based t on my identity,” McBride ded. “I would be legislating based on my values and on needs of my constituents.”

McBride’s campaign has generated interest from around country and more than $250,000 in donations, eclipsing fundraising totals even for candidates for statewide office in Delaware.

McBride’s priorities include paid family and medical leave for all workers, reducing costs and increasing competition in health care industry, and strengning public schools.

After serving as student body president at American University, McBride started in politics as a volunteer for Matt Denn during his successful 2004 campaign for attorney general. Denn and McBride’s far both worked at a Wilmington law firm kwn for its close ties to Democratic Party establishment.

McBride later worked on campaigns of former goverr Jack Markell and former state attorney general Beau Biden.

McBride, who interned at White House during President Barack Obama’s ministration, me history at 2016 Democratic National Convention by becoming first trans person to speak at a major party convention. McBride later served as national press secretary for Human Rights Campaign.