Shifts in Transgender Sports Policy Among Democratic Candidates
Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democratic Senate candidate in South Carolina, seems to be moving away from her previous stance on transgender athletes in girls’ sports. In an interview, she expressed her opposition to biological males competing in women’s sports, as well as to gender transition surgeries for minors.
This shift comes at a time when Democrats are trying to reclaim control of the House and Senate during the midterm elections. Andrews is not alone; several candidates in both Republican-leaning and swing states appear to be reevaluating their positions on transgender issues. Meanwhile, Republicans are aiming to use this charged topic to criticize Democrats again.
“I don’t support biological men playing in women’s sports, and I don’t support gender surgery on minors,” Andrews stated.
In her tight race against Republican Sen. Darline Graham, Andrews echoes this message in campaign advertisements, insisting, “I want you to hear me loud and clear.”
Graham, who stepped into the Senate after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, passed away, accuses Andrews of trying to hide her past support for transgender athletes. She claims Andrews has a history of endorsing biological males in girls’ sports, suggesting that this change of heart is merely a political tactic now that she’s running for office.
Republicans have highlighted Andrews’ opposition to a 2022 South Carolina law that prohibited transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s public school sports. “This is shameful legislation that does nothing to protect or support women or children in SC. In fact, it is actively harmful. I will always support trans youth,” Andrews remarked in a previous social media post.
Republicans are looking to make transgender issues a liability for Democrats. During the last election cycle, Trump’s campaign notably targeted the issue, framing it as a wedge to drive voter turnout against Democrats.
Current national polls indicate that most Americans oppose allowing transgender athletes to compete on teams that do not correspond to their birth sex. A recent Fox News national poll shows that a significant 76% support banning biological men from women’s sports, with notable backing across party lines—90% of Republicans, 77% of independents, and 61% of Democrats agree on this stance.
Facing challenging political dynamics such as an unpopular war in Iran and rising fuel prices, Trump and the GOP are keen to resurrect their transgender strategy ahead of the upcoming elections. At a recent GOP midterm convention, Trump described anti-transgender messaging as a highly effective tool for galvanizing voter support.
Democrats, while generally supportive of transgender rights, are beginning to re-evaluate their messaging and approach on this topic. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, suggested that biological males competing in women’s sports is “deeply unfair.” Similarly, Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton voiced his opposition to transgender athletes in girls’ sports soon after the previous election, stating that Democrats have sometimes prioritized not offending people over addressing fair competition concerns.
“As a Democrat, I’m supposed to be afraid to say that,” Moulton confessed, indicating a growing number of Democratic politicians now navigating this contentious issue carefully.
In the case of Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico, who faced Republican attacks for his past support related to transgender athletes, he recently declared, “I oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it endangers safety or fairness.”
Another Democratic candidate, Josh Turek from Iowa, has also shifted his stance against biological males in women’s sports amid Republican scrutiny. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, who is fighting for re-election, has started running ads proclaiming that “boys should not play in girls’ sports.” However, she has been criticized for her earlier votes against related legislation.
In a similar vein, Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina, under fire for his vote supporting a GOP measure that could criminalize gender-affirming care for minors, asserts that states should decide on the protection of women and girls in sports.
Amid these tensions, some Democratic representatives are facing internal and external criticisms for their evolving positions on transgender issues.
Republican strategist Colin Reed cautioned voters about the sincerity of sudden shifts in Democratic policies, especially close to the election when such positions can seem politically motivated.
However, veteran Democratic strategist Maria Cardona argues that Democrats need to clarify their positions to avoid being defined by their opponents. She believes this is crucial, especially in the face of pressing economic issues that overshadow cultural debates.
