South Carolina Dem nominee shifts stance

Dr. Annie Andrews rejects biological men in women's sports and gender surgeries for minors after past opposition.

“I don't support biological men playing in women's sports, and I don't support gender surgery on minors.”

Republican backlash on transgender policy

Sen. Darline Graham accuses Andrews of hiding her past support for transgender athletes in girls' sports.

“Andrews has spent years supporting biological males competing in girls’ sports. Now that she’s running for Senate, she’s trying to hide from that radical record.”

GOP targets Democrats on transgender issue

Republicans spent over $200 million on ads targeting Democrats with transgender messaging in the 2024 election cycle.

“Republicans spent more than $200 million to run ads targeting Democrats on the transgender issue in the 2.024 campaign.”

Public opinion on transgender policies

76% of Americans support banning biological men from women's sports, with bipartisan backing across parties.

“More than three-quarters (76%) of those questioned in a Fox News national poll conducted last month backed banning biological men from competing in women's sports.”

Trump's transgender strategy

President Trump calls anti-trans messaging a key campaign tool for driving voter turnout against Democrats.

“It’s one of our great soundbites of all time.”

Democrats recalibrate messaging

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Seth Moulton shift positions to counter Republican attacks on transgender policies.

“I believe boys should not play in girls’ sports.”

Texas candidate faces GOP criticism

Texas Rep. James Talarico opposes transgender athletes in girls' sports if it endangers safety or fairness.

“I oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it endangers safety or fairness.”

Ohio rep shifts stance

Rep. Marcy Kaptur runs ads opposing transgender athletes in girls' sports and gender surgeries for minors.

“I voted to ban schools from touting gender ideology in classrooms.”

GOP challenges Democratic messaging

NRCC claims Rep. Kaptur's past votes on transgender issues undermine her current messaging.

“Kaptur voted against the GOP-led Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in April 2023 and January 2025.”

Democrats pivot to voter concerns

Democratic strategist Maria Cardona says Democrats are defining positions to counter opponents before shifting to issues voters care about.

“Democrats are defining where they are on this issue so their opponents can't define them and then pivoting back to the issues that they know that voters actually care about.”

Moulton faces primary defeat

Rep. Seth Moulton loses Democratic Senate primary to progressive Sen. Ed Markey.

“I apologize for my past transgender comments.”

What happens next

Democrats aim to counter Republican attacks on transgender policies by defining their stance before shifting to voter priorities.