McBride has already secured key endorsements, including Attorney General Kathy Jennings, Delaware elected officials and labor leaders.
McBride, 32, has long been considered a rising star in Delaware politics. She worked for former Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and the late Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. In 2012, she worked as an intern in the Obama administration. She was the first transgender person to speak at the political convention of a major party in 2016, and she has worked as a national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign.
Wouldn't she be the first federal congressperson elected, but not the first in a state jurisdiction? I'm not fully with the state of American politics but I thought there was another transperson in a state legislature.
Wouldn’t she be the first federal congressperson elected, but not the first in a state jurisdiction? I’m not fully with the state of American politics but I thought there was another transperson in a state legislature.
at the state and local level there are dozens of openly trans politicians, yes. we don't have one at the federal level though--not very many opportunities.
Exact estimates vary, but are generally in the ballpark of about 1% of people being trans and non binary (though this is skewed towards younger people).
At any given time, the US federal government has 535 elected seats. The point of this comment is to highlight the disproportionately low rate of trans people getting into politics and being elected. Things are stacked against trans people, whether it's the barrier from how poor social acceptance growing up can limit opportunities or heightened fear of getting into politics because of how toxic they are.
And we're talking about a job where their coworkers are sometimes actively campaigning to outlaw trans treatment, acceptance, and protections. Something that in many work places would get you instantly fired, but is permitted in US politics.