Sarah McBride has created history by becoming the first transgender member of Congress after defeating Republican candidate John Whalen III by clinching 57.9% votes to win Delaware's only seat in the House of Representatives.
Although McBride has achieved much of this work on her own, she has time and again acknowledged the guidance and support of others, especially her late husband, Andrew Cray, an LGBTQ+ rights activist. Cray passed away from oral cancer in 2014, just four days after their wedding.
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In an interview with People magazine, Sarah McBride expressed that her work in politics has been a love letter to her late husband Andy:
“For me, the way Andy lived was such a profound example of the notion that kindness is never the wrong answer. My work in the legislature has been a love letter to Andy in so many ways. I carry him with me every single day, both in those lessons that I've learned from him, but also in the values and policies that I fight for as a legislator.”
On Valentine's Day this year, she also posted a love note for Andrew Cray on her Instagram. She captioned the post:
"In many ways, my story begins with Andy. I miss him every day, but I feel closer to him knowing I am working towards our shared vision for the future: one with dignity for everyone. Happy Valentine's Day, Andy."
In an old video posted on her Facebook account in 2018, Sarah McBride also urged people to support the 'Andrew Cray Memorial Scholarship' set up by Andrew's family.
Who was Andrew Cray? Sarah McBride's late husband
Andrew Cray was a dedicated advocate for LGBT health and social justice, known for his tireless work to improve the lives of LGBT individuals, especially in the realm of healthcare.
A policy analyst at American Progress, Andrew played a pivotal role in shaping policies to ensure LGBT communities received better access to healthcare, including transgender-inclusive insurance and protections under the Affordable Care Act. His efforts earned him recognition from prominent institutions, including the White House, U.S. Senate, and Boston City Council.
Throughout his career, Andrew led initiatives like Out2Enroll, which connected LGBT individuals with new health insurance options, and co-authored studies highlighting the benefits of the Affordable Care Act for LGBT communities, particularly those who were previously uninsured.
Before joining American Progress, he worked with the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Coalition for LGBT Health, advocating for affordable healthcare and legal protections for transgender people.
A Wisconsin native, Andrew earned his B.S. from Northwestern University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He passed away in 2014, just days after marrying Sarah McBride, a fellow advocate. Their rooftop wedding, officiated by Bishop Gene Robinson, marked a bittersweet moment in Andrew’s remarkable life and legacy.
Sarah McBride, who has been the Delaware state senator since January 2021 posted about the historic win on her X account:
Sarah McBride's election to the Delaware State Senate in 2020 is historic because she became the first openly transgender person to be elected to a state senate in the U.S.
Her win marks a significant moment for both American politics and the LGBTQ+ community. It represents more than just a personal achievement—it’s a step forward in increasing transgender representation and inclusion in public office.
McBride's success is seen as a key milestone in the fight for transgender rights and equality, breaking down barriers and encouraging others in the LGBTQ+ community to pursue leadership roles.
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