Democrats in Swing Districts Criticize Trans Athletes in Sports, Despite Voting Records

Democratic candidates in closely contested House races are campaigning on platforms that champion fairness in girls' sports and assert a willingness to diverge from their party's stance on transgender issues. This messaging comes despite voting records that indicate support for transgender rights or a lack of engagement on related legislation. The strategy aims to appeal to voters concerned about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's and girls' sports.

In Ohio's 9th Congressional District, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who is currently in a tight race, featured in a recent advertisement stating, "I voted with Republicans to keep transgender ideology out of our schools because parents know what’s best for their kids. And boys should not play in girls’ sports." However, Kaptur's voting record shows she opposed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act last year, a bill that prohibits biological males from competing in female sports. She was among 205 House Democrats who voted against the measure.

Similarly, Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina, also facing a competitive re-election, voted "present" on the same legislation. His campaign ad asserts, "there should always be a safe and fair space for women and girls in sports," and adds, "Fair competition was at the heart of those games, but let’s be honest, there’s real concerns about fairness and safety." Davis also stated in the ad, "That’s why I believe states should decide what’s right for protecting women and girls, and North Carolina has decided." This contrasts with his absence from a House vote on a similar bill in 2023 and Kaptur's opposition to the legislation. Both Kaptur and Davis are co-sponsors of the Equality Act, which critics argue would eliminate sex-based distinctions in sports.

Newer candidates are also adopting similar messaging. Sarah Trone Garriott, an Iowa state senator running for the U.S. House, stated in an ad, "I oppose letting men in women’s locker rooms and voted to let parents, not politicians, make decisions for their kids." Her voting record in the Iowa state legislature, however, shows she voted against a bill that banned biological males from women's locker rooms, which was later signed into law by the governor. She also voted against a 2022 bill that prohibited transgender athletes from competing in women's and girls' sports, which was also signed into law.

Another Democratic candidate in Iowa, Lindsay James, who is vying for an open House seat, also opposed both the locker room access bill and the transgender athlete ban when they were considered in the Iowa House.

Public opinion on the issue indicates a significant concern among Americans regarding transgender athletes competing on sports teams that do not align with their sex at birth. A recent Pew Research Center analysis found that 73% of Americans expressed concern about this, with only 13% comfortable with the trend. Even a majority of Democrats (55%) indicated discomfort with transgender competitors participating on teams not matching their birth sex.

Despite these trends, Democrats currently hold an advantage on the generic congressional ballot, according to a RealClearPolitics polling average, positioning them as favored to regain control of the House in the upcoming elections. Representatives for the Kaptur, Davis, Trone Garriott, and James campaigns did not respond to requests for comment on these discrepancies.