Sarah McBride

Joe Arminio, the Republican nominee challenging Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride for Delaware's House seat, issued a statement defending his conduct after a misgendering controversy at a recent event. Arminio repeatedly referred to McBride, who is openly transgender, as "he" and "gentleman," prompting organizers to cut his speaking time short. McBride, notably, did not ask for him to be removed from the event.

In his statement, Arminio said he appreciated McBride's defense of his freedom of speech and reaffirmed his support for the Constitution. He argued that this support extends to an individual's right to assert their own gender identity, as well as his own right to state the facts as he sees them. The incident has drawn attention to the tone of the Delaware House race, in which McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, is seeking reelection.

Republican U.S. House nominee Joseph "Dr. Joe" Arminio was removed from a candidate forum hosted by the Jewish Federation of Delaware on Sept. 17 after repeatedly misgendering Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, drawing boos from the audience and a warning from organizers before his microphone was cut. Arminio, who secured the GOP nomination with 48% of the primary vote, has not publicly addressed the incident. Fellow Republican candidate Dr. Mike Katz condemned the conduct and called on Arminio to withdraw from the race, calling the matter "bigger than party and bigger than politics."

The episode adds to a pattern of misgendering McBride has faced since taking office in 2024, including incidents on the House floor, amid a broader national debate over transgender rights fueled by Trump administration policies limiting federal gender recognition. McBride responded by pointing to her legislative record, including bipartisan bills and constituent service recognition, saying she remains focused on cost-of-living issues rather than "politicians seeking to go viral." The Delaware GOP has not commented on the forum or Katz's call for Arminio's withdrawal.

Delaware voters headed to the polls Tuesday in the last state primary before November, choosing nominees for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, attorney general, treasurer, and legislative seats. Polls closed at 8 p.m. ET.

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, seeking a third full term, faced three primary challengers, including Eric Hansen, the 2024 Republican Senate nominee now running as a Democrat under the ballot name "E. No-Trump Hansen." Coons significantly outraised his rivals. On the Republican side, former state Sen. Michael Katz and Army Reserves Col. John Shulli competed for the nomination. Rep. Sarah McBride ran unopposed for a second term. Attorney General Kathy Jennings faced two Democratic primary challengers, while Republican David Graham ran unopposed. The treasurer's race was the state's only open statewide seat, with three Democrats competing and Republican Michael Ramone unopposed.

Despite a midterm climate historically unfavorable to the president's party, Delaware's statewide offices are expected to remain solidly Democratic, extending a streak dating to the 1990s. All 41 state House seats and about half of the state Senate seats were also on the ballot.