Democrat becomes first openly transgender person to serve in Congress

Sarah McBride has become the first openly transgender person elected to Congress (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Democrat Sarah McBride has been elected to the US House of Representatives and will become the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress.

Ms McBride easily defeated Republican John Whalen III in the race for Delaware’s lone House seat. Mr Whalen is a retired construction company owner who ran a shoestring campaign in his first bid for public office.