Republican congressional nominee Joe Arminio was removed from a candidate forum in Wilmington, Delaware, on Friday after repeatedly misgendering his Democratic opponent, Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress.
During the debate for Delaware's sole House seat, Arminio referred to McBride using male pronouns, prompting audible backlash from the audience. "I'm sorry to have to say that the representative from Delaware, through the net of his comments and his actions, on balance has contributed," Arminio said, before being interrupted by jeers. He added, "I would like to show respect to the speaker, that would be nice."
Moderator Ken Grant issued a stern warning after Arminio's opening remarks, stating, "if you fail to show respect to anyone else on this stage, you'll be asked to leave." Arminio acknowledged making "an error before" and said he "acknowledge[s] it," adding, "It's not the first error I've made in this campaign, or at any point in my future life."
The incident escalated during a later segment on healthcare, when Arminio blamed rising costs on "gentlemen like the two up here with me in the Democratic Party," pointing to McBride and Sen. Chris Coons. The crowd again interrupted, and despite McBride's attempt to intercede on his behalf, event organizers instructed Arminio to leave the stage.
McBride, who has represented Delaware's at-large district since 2025, responded on social media, saying she remains "always so proud to represent Delaware and Delawareans." She added, "Nothing – and certainly not politicians seeking to go viral – will ever distract me from my laser focus on lowering the cost of gas, groceries, housing, childcare, and healthcare."
Arminio's remarks are not the first instance of Republican colleagues targeting McBride's identity. In 2025, a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing was abruptly adjourned after Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) referred to McBride as "mister," and Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) introduced her as "the gentleman from Delaware" ahead of her first floor speech.
The incident underscores the broader tensions within the GOP as the party navigates midterm strategy amid Trump's influence. While some Republicans have sought to focus on economic issues, others have engaged in cultural flashpoints that risk alienating moderate voters. Arminio's removal from the forum highlights the challenges facing GOP nominees in competitive races, particularly as the party contends with a difficult political environment.
Arminio's campaign did not respond to requests for comment. The forum's organizers emphasized that all candidates must adhere to basic standards of respect, and McBride's office deferred to her public statement, which struck a conciliatory tone while reaffirming her commitment to constituent concerns.
As the first openly transgender member of Congress, McBride has repeatedly faced such attacks, but she has consistently pivoted to policy priorities. Her response to Friday's incident reflects that approach, as she continues to highlight kitchen-table issues over partisan provocations. Meanwhile, Arminio's ejection raises questions about his campaign's viability and the GOP's broader efforts to broaden its appeal in a state that has not elected a Republican to the House in over a decade.
