Republican ads: trans people rather than the border or the economy

In Texas, Republican congressional candidates appear to believe that trans rights are a more profitable election issue than the southern border or the economy. At least that’s what we’re inclined to think when we learn about the sums of money they invest in ads denouncing their Democratic rivals’ support for laws defending members of the LGTBQ+ community.

Outgoing Republican Senator Ted Cruz notably unveiled two ads last Tuesday accusing his rival, Democratic Representative Colin Allred of supporting laws allowing men to use women’s bathrooms and of not knowing “the difference between boys and girls “. Here is one of the ads in question:

Donald Trump also aired an ad accusing Kamala Harris of supporting gender-affirming care for all people, including incarcerated people and immigrants. The ad is accompanied by caricatured images of trans people. The accusation refers in particular to Harris’ response to a questionnaire dating back to 2019.

In response to a question from the ACLU, Harris responded: “I support policies to ensure that federal prisoners and detainees can obtain the medical care necessary for their gender transition, including surgical care, while incarcerated or their detention. Transition treatment is medically necessary and I will direct all federal agencies responsible for providing essential medical care to provide transition treatment. »

Other Republican candidates in Texas and other states are also banking on ads criticizing their Democratic rivals for their defense of trans rights. During the 2022 midterm elections, anti-trans ads did not appear to influence voters. We will see if the response from voters will be different this year.

(Screenshot photo)