In the closely watched South Carolina Senate contest, Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews has publicly reversed her earlier stance on transgender athletes. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Andrews said, “I don’t support biological men playing in women’s sports, and I don’t support gender surgery on minors,” echoing the language favored by many Republican candidates.
Local race turns into a referendum on transgender policy
Andrews faces Republican Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed after the sudden death of her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham. Graham has accused Andrews of trying to hide a prior record of supporting biological males competing in girls’ sports. Andrews previously praised a 2022 South Carolina law that barred transgender athletes from public school teams, describing the legislation as “shameful” and stating she would always support trans youth at the time.
The shift in Andrews’ messaging reflects a broader trend among Democrats in swing and red states who are recalibrating their positions on transgender issues after the 2024 elections. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, for example, called the participation of biological males in women’s sports “deeply unfair” in early 2025, and Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts has publicly opposed transgender athletes in girls’ sports, citing concerns for his own daughters.
Republican strategy and Trump administration backing
The Republican Party is leveraging the transgender debate as a key campaign tool. In the 2024 cycle, the Trump campaign spent heavily on ads targeting Democratic candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris, with messages like “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.” President Trump reiterated at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas that anti‑trans messaging is “one of our great sound bites of all time,” underscoring the administration’s belief that the issue drives voter turnout.
Republican leaders such as Vice President JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Senate GOP chairs Tim Scott and Richard Hudson all highlighted the transgender sports ban in their speeches, reinforcing the party’s unified stance.
Poll data shows strong public support for the ban
A recent Fox News national poll found that 76% of respondents support banning biological males from competing in women’s sports. The poll also revealed bipartisan backing: 90% of Republicans, 77% of independents, and 61% of Democrats favored the ban. While the poll provides a snapshot of current opinion, it does not indicate a trend over time.
Democrats attempting to adjust messaging
Facing criticism, several Democratic candidates have adjusted their platforms. Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a Senate hopeful, now says he opposes trans athletes in girls’ sports when safety or fairness is at risk. In Iowa, Democratic nominee Rep. Josh Turek has also voiced opposition to biological males competing in women’s sports and to gender transition surgeries for minors after Republican attacks.
Longtime Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur, seeking re‑election, is running ads stating “boys should not play in girls’ sports” and touting her vote to ban schools from promoting gender ideology. However, the National Republican Congressional Committee noted Kaptur’s past votes against the GOP‑led Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, highlighting the ongoing partisan debate.
What this means for South Carolina voters
South Carolina voters now have a clear choice on a culturally charged issue that aligns with broader national debates. Andrews’ recent statements bring her platform in line with the prevailing public sentiment captured in the poll, while Graham and the Republican Party continue to emphasize the importance of protecting women and girls in sports.
As the midterm campaign intensifies, the Trump administration’s endorsement of the anti‑trans narrative underscores its commitment to policies that reflect traditional family values and individual liberty, resonating with many voters across the state and the nation.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
