Democratic Rep. Colin Allred of Texas said in a recent attack ad against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) that he didn't want “boys playing girls' sports,” drawing criticism from the party's progressive wing. is receiving backlash. Allred's ad was released days before he took to the stage Tuesday night in a debate with his Republican challenger in next month's Senate race.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBTQ lobbying group, endorsed Allred this year. But they expect Allred to explain his comments.
“Texans have been exposed to Ted Cruz's hate and lies for years, and they are ready to turn the page,” HRC spokesperson Brandon Wolf told LGBTQ media outlet The Advocate. told.
“Congressman Allred needs to explain his comments in this ad. They are completely inconsistent with what we know about his background. He has supported our community for many years. and has worked to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Texans finally deserve a leader who values equality and freedom. ”
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Super PAC Ted Cruz (right) is spending $3 million to criticize Colin Allred's (left) position on men in women's sports.
Allred, who is currently running for Senate, released the ad in response to recent attacks. cruiseseeks to connect Allred to supporting transgender inclusion in women's and girls' sports.
“I am a father and a Christian, and my faith has taught me that all children are children of God. “We don't want to do any other nonsense,” said Allred in the ad.
His statement also drew the ire of other trans activists, including transgender journalist Erin Reed.
“Mr. Allred's response is important. He is the first major Democratic candidate to condone an anti-transgender message,” Reed wrote on X. “His decision to respond in this way may be short-sighted.”
Dem Allred of Texas says he opposes “boys playing girls' sports'' even though he has tolerated “boys playing girls' sports'' in the past and has fought for parental rights.
transgender flag (Getty Images)
A new ad paid for by Mr. Cruz's campaign aired during an NFL game in Texas this month, claiming: that Allred wanted to allow “men's participation in women's sports” and wanted an “extremely liberal vision of America.” Mr. Cruz will reportedly run another ad this Sunday, the third time featuring this theme.
Allred is a former NFL linebacker who played for the Tennessee Titans from 2006 to 2010 after playing collegiately at Baylor. He announced his Senate campaign against Cruz in May 2023 and won his party's nomination in early March of this year.
In October 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation restricting transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity.
Texas is one of 23 states with laws preventing transgender participation in women's sports. Allred has opposed such efforts since the first year of his legislative career. As recently as June 2023, he became a co-sponsor A law that would “force public schools to allow biologically male athletes who identify as transgender to participate on girls' sports teams.”
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Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), shown, is running against Democratic Texas Rep. Colin Allred. (Alison Bailey/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Allred posted on This is another dark and shameful moment for our state because we are faced with the real problems we face. ”
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Allred also advocated for a transgender bill of rights and co-sponsored a resolution in March 2023 that “recognizes the duty of the federal government to develop and implement a transgender bill of rights.” The resolution called for federal law to allow biological males to “participate in sports and programs on teams that best match their gender identity.” [and] Use the school facilities that best suit your gender identity. ”
Allred also supported efforts to limit parental rights regarding transgender athletes. He voted against the Parent Bill of Rights Act, which would require school districts to warn parents if their child shares a restroom, locker room or sports team with a student of a different biological sex.
Mr. Cruz and Mr. Allred are scheduled to have their first and only debate on Tuesday night. Mr. Cruz has held the Senate seat for the past 12 years.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Allred campaign for comment, but did not receive a response by publication deadline.
Fox News Digital's Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
