Recent television spots funded by Republican‑aligned groups have been circulating in four key Senate races, alleging that Democratic candidates back gender‑affirming surgeries for minors. A closer look reveals that the ads either distort the candidates’ voting records or omit critical context.
Ohio: Sherrod Brown
Two ads targeting former Senator Sherrod Brown claim he supports “sex‑change surgery for minors” and cite a personal testimony from Soren Aldaco, who says she underwent a double mastectomy at age 19. The ads present her story as if the surgery occurred while she was a child, stating she had the procedure “without my parents’ consent.” In reality, Aldaco was a legal adult when she had the operation, and the ads ignore that Ohio law has prohibited gender‑affirming surgeries for minors since 2024. Brown’s campaign responded with a counter‑ad stating, “Records show this woman is from Texas and did not have any surgery as a minor,” and a spokesperson emphasized Brown’s focus on fixing Ohio’s economy rather than partisan culture wars.
Texas: James Talarico
Two Texas ads allege that State Representative James Talarico would spend taxpayer money on gender surgeries for minors, pointing to his 2023 vote against a bill that banned such procedures. The ads fail to note that Talarico voted for amendments that would have kept the ban on surgeries while allowing hormone therapy and puberty blockers. Talarico has publicly stated he opposes surgeries for minors, aligning with his district’s parental‑rights concerns.
Iowa: Josh Turek
An Iowa ad claims Democratic candidate Josh Turek voted to fund gender surgeries for minors. The only evidence cited is his 2025 vote on a broader health‑care measure that did not address pediatric surgeries, which are already prohibited in Iowa. The measure instead restricted Medicaid funding for gender‑identity care for adults. Turek explained his vote was driven by unrelated budget concerns for elderly and low‑income residents, and his campaign reiterates his opposition to surgeries for minors.
South Carolina: Annie Andrews
A South Carolina ad accuses Democratic candidate Annie Andrews of supporting gender‑affirming surgeries for minors, displaying a fabricated newspaper headline. Andrews has consistently opposed surgeries for minors while supporting other gender‑identity care for youth. No source is provided for the ad’s claim.
Overall findings
Data from reputable health sources indicate that only a very small fraction of transgender youth undergo surgery, and most procedures are chest surgeries performed between ages 15 and 17. The ads reviewed rely on selective facts, misleading visuals, and outright false statements to paint Democratic candidates as extremist on this issue.
Multiple fact‑checking organizations, including PolitiFact and Popular Information, have previously debunked similar claims. The Senate Leadership Fund, which funded several of the Ohio ads, has not provided evidence to substantiate its accusations.
While the ads aim to sway voters by stoking fear over pediatric gender treatments, the candidates’ records and public statements demonstrate a consistent stance against surgeries for minors, aligning with parental‑rights principles upheld by many states.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
