Case Study: Sarah McBride’s Congressional Campaign Launch

sarah mcbride on msnbc

Key Outcomes

  • Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride launched her campaign for Congress, garnering widespread coverage that saw her story and accomplishments featured in more than 100 state and national clips.
  • A surge in coverage, timed just ahead of a key quarterly fundraising deadline, drove significant engagement among Democratic voters. In one of the smallest states in the country, McBride’s campaign raised $400,000 in the five days following her launch.
  • McBride’s strong launch established her as the frontrunner in the primary, and she was elected to the House in November 2024.

The Client

Echo Communications Advisors led communications for now-Congresswoman Sarah McBride’s campaign launch, executing a strategic media blitz to highlight her accomplishments and vision for serving Delawareans in Washington.

The Challenge

A campaign’s launch is a one-time opportunity to generate a wave of entirely positive, uncritical earned media. McBride already had a national profile, and her campaign to become first openly-trans person elected to Congress would mean increased attention that could be capitalized on — as well as the risk of heightened scrutiny.

The Solution

Echo developed and executed a media outreach strategy that led to coverage everywhere from local Delaware press to The New York Times and MSNBC. McBride was everywhere in the crucial early weeks of her campaign, and this surge in coverage helped drive significant engagement among Democratic voters. As a result, her campaign raised more than $400,000 in just five days — a remarkable sum for a congressional race in a small state, within such a short timeframe.

In addition to press outreach, Echo crafted messaging and talking points, drafted press releases for key milestones and endorsements, led media training sessions, and advised on the script for McBride’s launch video.

Sample Media Coverage: