Officials Remove Republican Candidate From Forum After ‘Misgendering’ Transgender Rep Sarah McBride

A Republican House hopeful got the boot from a Delaware candidate forum after twice refusing to use female pronouns for his transgender Democratic rival.

Joseph “Dr. Joe” Arminio lost his spot on the stage Thursday night at a forum run by the Jewish Federation of Delaware at the Siegel Jewish Community Center in Talleyville, according to WDEL. He is challenging Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of the U.S. House, for the state’s lone congressional seat in November.

Trouble started when Arminio described McBride using the word “his” during an opening statement, drawing boos from a crowd of roughly 100 people, WDEL reported. Moderator Ken Grant let him finish before issuing a warning. (RELATED: Dem Rep Sarah McBride Says Party Needs To Stop Being ‘A**holes’)

“This is your final warning: If you fail to show respect to anyone else on this stage, you will be asked to leave,” Grant said, according to Delaware Public Media.

The first time Republican US House candidate “Dr. Joe” Arminio referred to Rep. Sarah McBride (D) as a man during Thursday’s debate at the Siegel Jewish Community Center in Talleyville. He was warned for his comment. #netde pic.twitter.com/j4EaMOL84W

Arminio owned up to the slip early on, telling attendees, “I committed an error before, and I do acknowledge it,” according to WDEL. The rapprochement did not last. About 12 minutes later, while discussing healthcare costs, he gestured toward Democratic Sen. Chris Coons and McBride and called them “gentlemen.” Organizers quickly cut his microphone and removed him.

McBride tried to keep Arminio in the room as he exited, WDEL reported, and later told Delaware Public Media he wanted the ejection understood on his terms.

“I have thick skin; I can handle things. That doesn’t mean what he was doing or saying was right or appropriate… but I thought it was important to make clear that his removal from the stage was not a byproduct of my request,” McBride said.

Republican Senate candidate Dr. Mike Katz apologized to the room and afterward urged Arminio to quit the race, according to Delaware Public Media. Arminio won Tuesday’s GOP primary over the party’s endorsed pick, Earl Cooper, the outlet reported. He told 6abc he would respond to the incident Friday.

McBride has faced similar treatment from Republicans before. Republican Texas Rep. Keith Self called him “Mr. McBride” at a 2025 hearing, and Republican Illinois Rep. Mary Miller introduced him as “the gentleman from Delaware” ahead of her first floor speech that year, according to The Hill.