Democrat Sarah McBride will become the first openly transgender state senator in US history when she is sworn in, following her victory in Delaware, the Associated Press has reported.

As reported by Pink News, McBride - an LGBTQ+ and human rights activist who serves as the National Press Secretary of Human Rights Campaign - has defeated Republican Steve Washington by a considerable margin, per the preliminary results.

Taking to Instagram following her victory, McBride wrote to her 19,000 followers: "We did it. We won the general election. Thank you thank you, thank you."

And writing on Twitter, McBride added: "I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too."

Prior to her historic win, the Metro reports that McBride told voters: "I’m not running to make history or headlines.

"I’m running to make a difference in this community and to represent this community as best I can by bringing the full range of experiences and perspectives I have with such a long history in this community."

She added:

"I am mindful of the responsibility that I hold."

"I’m mindful of just how powerful it would’ve been for me as a kid to see the story pop up online of a transgender person being elected to a state senate and the message that it would’ve sent to somebody like me growing up worried that there wasn’t space for someone like me in this world.

"That’s a powerful message and that’s a powerful opportunity to provide a little bit of hope, and a little bit of comfort, to a young person here in Delaware or somewhere else in this country, that our democracy is big enough for them too."

Per Pink News, Annise Parker of the LGBTQ Victory Fund said of McBride's victory: "Sarah’s overwhelming victory is a powerful testament to the growing influence of transgender leaders in our politics and gives hope to countless trans people looking toward a brighter future.

"Throughout this election cycle, Donald Trump and other cynical politicians attempted to use trans people as a political weapon, believing they could gain popularity by stoking fear and hate.

"For Sarah to shatter a lavender ceiling in such a polarizing year is a powerful reminder that voters are increasingly rejecting the politics of bigotry in favor of candidates who stand for fairness and equality. Her victory will inspire more trans people to follow in her footsteps and run for public office."

Democrat Sarah McBride will become the first openly transgender state senator in US history when she is sworn in, following her victory in Delaware, the Associated Press has reported.

As reported by Pink News, McBride - an LGBTQ+ and human rights activist who serves as the National Press Secretary of Human Rights Campaign - has defeated Republican Steve Washington by a considerable margin, per the preliminary results.

Taking to Instagram following her victory, McBride wrote to her 19,000 followers: "We did it. We won the general election. Thank you thank you, thank you."

And writing on Twitter, McBride added: "I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too."

Prior to her historic win, the Metro reports that McBride told voters: "I’m not running to make history or headlines.

"I’m running to make a difference in this community and to represent this community as best I can by bringing the full range of experiences and perspectives I have with such a long history in this community."

She added:

"I am mindful of the responsibility that I hold."

"I’m mindful of just how powerful it would’ve been for me as a kid to see the story pop up online of a transgender person being elected to a state senate and the message that it would’ve sent to somebody like me growing up worried that there wasn’t space for someone like me in this world.

"That’s a powerful message and that’s a powerful opportunity to provide a little bit of hope, and a little bit of comfort, to a young person here in Delaware or somewhere else in this country, that our democracy is big enough for them too."

Per Pink News, Annise Parker of the LGBTQ Victory Fund said of McBride's victory: "Sarah’s overwhelming victory is a powerful testament to the growing influence of transgender leaders in our politics and gives hope to countless trans people looking toward a brighter future.

"Throughout this election cycle, Donald Trump and other cynical politicians attempted to use trans people as a political weapon, believing they could gain popularity by stoking fear and hate.

"For Sarah to shatter a lavender ceiling in such a polarizing year is a powerful reminder that voters are increasingly rejecting the politics of bigotry in favor of candidates who stand for fairness and equality. Her victory will inspire more trans people to follow in her footsteps and run for public office."