Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride has been elected to the U.S. House and will become the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress. McBride easily defeated Republican John Whalen III on Tuesday in the race for Delaware’s lone House seat.

Sarah McBride, a Delaware state senator, is projected to become the first openly transgender U.S. House member after defeating Republican John Whalen III.

McBride, meanwhile, has established a national profile as an LGBTQ activist and raised more than $3 million in campaign contributions from around the country. She achieved national recognition at the 2016 Democratic National Convention as the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention in the United States.

Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride made history Tuesday night, winning the race for Delaware’s only congressional district. She will be the first openly transgender member of Congress and is already the nation’s highest-ranking openly transgender elected official.

Sarah McBride, a Delaware state senator, will win her state’s at-large US House seat, making her the first out transgender person to serve in Congress, CNN projects.

McBride tells PEOPLE that getting elected to the House as an out transgender woman proves "this nation is big enough to love all of us"

State Sen. Sarah McBride made history Tuesday winning Delaware's sole congressional seat and becoming the first transgender person in U.S. Congress.

Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress, discussed her historic win and future goals on 'The View.'