Democrats' trans‑athlete records spotlighted in governor races
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill are facing scrutiny over records seen as supporting transgender athletes in women’s sports — both co‑sponsored the Equality Act, Sherrill also co‑sponsored the Transgender Bill of Rights, and both voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (Sherrill twice). Fox reports Spanberger told ABC13 she favors local, case‑by‑case school decisions, former President Trump has publicly criticized Sherrill on Truth Social, and both campaigns were contacted for comment but had not responded, with coverage citing recent local litigation over trans athletes as immediate context.
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📰 Sources (2)
Mikie Sherrill remains silent on issue of trans athletes in women's sports as Trump calls her out for it
New information:
- Direct Trump Truth Social quote calling out Mikie Sherrill by name over the issue
- Fox reports it has repeatedly contacted Sherrill’s campaign for comment and received no response
- Article connects the criticism to specific votes (voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act twice) and notes co-sponsorships (Equality Act; Transgender Bill of Rights)
- Local athlete litigation (Sadie Schreiner’s lawsuits against Princeton and SUNY Geneseo) cited as immediate local context
Democrat gubernatorial candidates' records for supporting trans athletes in women's sports coming into focus
New information:
- Abigail Spanberger co-sponsored the Equality Act in 2021 and voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in 2023; she told ABC13 she favors local, case-by-case school decisions on participation and facilities.
- Mikie Sherrill co-sponsored the Equality Act and the Transgender Bill of Rights and voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act twice (including 2023 and again this past February), according to the article.
- Fox News reached out to both Sherrill’s and Spanberger’s campaigns for comment about their past votes and whether they would enforce President Trump's executive order on men's participation in women’s sports; neither campaign had provided a response at the time of publication.