Democratic Candidates Split on Transgender Rights in Midterms

Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterm elections are divided over transgender rights, with several nominees in battleground states adopting conservative rhetoric to appeal to undecided voters. In Texas, Senate nominee James Talarico reversed his previous support for transgender athletes, stating he would oppose them playing in girls' sports if it endangers safety or fairness.

Similar shifts are occurring in Ohio, where gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton has referred to transgender girls as boys, and Representative Marcy Kaptur has run advertisements aimed at keeping transgender ideology out of schools. These positions contrast with other Democrats, such as Senator Ed Markey in Massachusetts and former Senator Sherrod Brown in Ohio, who have continued to support transgender rights.

The internal party divide follows a $100 million spending campaign by America PAC, a Republican-aligned group founded by Elon Musk, which targeted Texas, Ohio, and Alaska with anti-transgender advertising. While some Democrats have mirrored this messaging to remain competitive in statistical ties, polling indicates the strategy may alienate the LGBTQ+ voting bloc, which represents 12% of the U.S. adult population.