Sarah McBride, first trans congresswoman, endorses Sherrill for governor

U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, a first-term Democratic congresswoman from Delaware – and, most notably, the first-ever openly transgender member of the United States Congress – has endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for governor of New Jersey.

“When I think about our future as Democrats, I think about fearless and effective leaders like Mikie Sherrill,” McBride said in a statement. “Mikie is in this race because she has a proven ability to deliver for New Jersey. As governor, she won’t be distracted by the noise, she will stay laser-focused on bringing costs down, expanding opportunities for families, and protecting our rights and freedoms when they’re under attack.”

The endorsement was first reported earlier this morning by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

McBride and Sherrill first met last year, when McBride was a Delaware state senator (from a district bordering New Jersey’s Salem County) running for an open House seat; Sherrill hosted an event for McBride’s campaign, and the two have remained in touch while serving together in Congress.

“I have always valued Mikie’s advice and encouragement during my career and freshman term in Congress – and I hope you’ll join me in backing Mikie in this fight for New Jersey’s future,” McBride said.

McBride is the latest member of Congress to back Sherrill’s gubernatorial bid, following on the heels of some of Sherrill’s national security-focused colleagues like Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin and Pennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly)’s campaign, too, has received endorsements from eight of his current and former House colleagues around the country.

But neither of them have received endorsements from any current members of New Jersey’s delegation. Two endorsements each have instead gone to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and former State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford); Baraka has Reps. LaMonica McIver (D-Newark) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) in his corner, while Sweeney has South Jerseyans Herb Conaway (D-Delran) and Donald Norcross (D-Camden) in his.