The gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia feature Democratic candidates who have previously supported trans-athletes in women’s sports. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia have recently faced scrutiny regarding their positions on this issue.
Spanberger went viral after an interview with ABC13, where she was asked about trans individuals participating in women’s sports and using women’s restrooms. Her responses were somewhat non-committal.
“In Virginia, we’ve been working on a process where decisions are made involving school principals, parents, and coaches, based on fairness, competitiveness, and safety,” she explained. When pressed on whether she would back legislation on these matters, she stated her support for a bill with provisions focused on local input, child age, and competitiveness, acknowledging the concerns of families about safety and fairness.
As a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, which aims to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Spanberger’s voting record is notable. She voted against a 2023 bill aimed at protecting women and girls in sports.
Similarly, Sherrill has faced backlash on social media regarding her Congressional voting record on this topic. A former swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, Paula Scanlan, highlighted the controversy surrounding Leah Thomas and has called out Sherrill in a recent publication.
Like Spanberger, Sherrill co-sponsored the Transgender Bill of Rights, which asserts more defined rights for transgender and non-binary individuals, including in sports. However, she also voted against the women’s sports protection bill in 2023.
The New Jersey GOP has criticized Sherrill for her record, as her opponent, Republican Jack Chatteri, referenced this issue in a July statement. Fox News Digital reached out to both campaigns for clarification on their votes concerning the bills and whether they would support enforcing Trump-era policies that would ban men from competing in women’s sports. Neither responded.
A recent poll conducted by the New York Times/Ipsos revealed that a significant majority of Americans—including many Democrats—oppose trans athletes participating in women’s sports. Among 2,128 participants, 79% of biological men stated they shouldn’t compete in women’s sports. Meanwhile, 67% of Democratic respondents echoed this sentiment, and a staggering 94% of Republicans agreed.
Independents were less unanimous, with only 64% expressing opposition to trans athletes competing, while 26% opted not to answer. Just a small percentage of Democrats and Republicans also chose not to respond.
Almost 70% of Americans believe that biological men should not compete in women’s sports, based on a Gallup poll from last year.
The issue may significantly impact the upcoming 2024 elections, as indicated by a national exit survey. A notable 70% of moderate voters considered the involvement of biological males in women’s sports an important topic, with 6% deeming it the most crucial issue overall.
Some prominent Democrats are stepping back from the party’s strong support for trans inclusion in women’s sports, including figures like Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris. In her book, “107 Days,” Harris expressed agreement with concerns about the competitive advantages in contact sports related to biological factors such as muscle mass.
