Virginia Candidates React to Transgender Bathroom Policies
Republican candidates in Virginia’s statewide races are backing parents upset over the school’s transgender bathroom policies, while their Democratic opponents have largely remained silent.
Fox News Digital reached out to candidates for Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General regarding their views on bathroom access for transgender students. Most Democratic candidates either did not respond or avoided the topic despite its recent prominence in national headlines.
“Biological differences matter,” said Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, when questioned about the contentious issue. “This isn’t political; it’s just common sense, and someone has to speak up for the parents.”
The inquiries were prompted by the designation of five Virginia school districts as “high risk” by the Department of Education earlier this month, allowing students to use facilities that correspond with their gender identity. These inquiries also followed the suspension of two high school boys accused of sexual harassment after complaining about biological females using locker rooms.
Abigail Spanberger, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former federal law enforcement officer, remarked on her commitment to ensuring the safety of all Virginia children. “As a mother of three daughters attending public schools, it’s my priority,” she stated.
In contrast, a spokesperson for Spanberger criticized Earle-Sears’ long-standing attempts to cut funding for Virginia public schools. They claimed he is “not proposing any plans to enhance student success.”
Other Democratic candidates, like state Senator Ghazala Hashmi and attorney Jay Jones, did not respond to repeated requests for comments on the subject.
Reflecting on the past election cycles, some recall how Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe’s declaration that parents shouldn’t dictate school curricula played a role in his loss to Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2021.
“This issue seems straightforward; it’s an 80/20 perspective. Most folks see it as common sense,” expressed Josh Hetzler, an attorney for families who raised concerns about biological individuals in locker rooms. “Historically, we had separate facilities for boys and girls.”
Furthermore, John Reed, a Republican running for governor, also quickly responded to the situation. “Students shouldn’t face repercussions for discussing fairness and safety in locker rooms,” he remarked regarding the suspensions. “When ideology overrides common sense, this happens.”
Current GOP Attorney General Jason Miyares echoed similar sentiments, calling out a Virginia school district for disciplining the two boys involved. Meanwhile, his opponent, Jay Jones, did not respond to repeated inquiries about the matter.
The issue of funding is of concern, with five Northern Virginia districts facing scrutiny under a federal mandate due to their designation. “States and school districts can’t simply ignore federal law, but they can’t receive funding without a closer look either,” remarked Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
