South Carolina Democratic Senate nominee Dr. Annie Andrews is distancing herself from previous opposition to restricting transgender athletes, a shift reflecting a broader recalibration among Democrats in competitive races ahead of the midterm elections. Andrews, who is locked in a competitive showdown with Republican Sen. Darline Graham in the reliably red state, told Fox News Digital that she opposes biological males competing in women's sports and gender transition surgeries for minors. In a new campaign commercial, Andrews stated, "I want you to hear me loud and clear," reinforcing her current stance on the issue.
This messaging shift comes as Republicans seek to leverage the transgender issue as a central campaign theme for a second consecutive cycle. Graham accused Andrews of attempting to conceal her past record, noting that Andrews previously opposed a 2022 South Carolina law barring transgender athletes from competing on girls' and women's public school sports teams. In a social media post from that time, Andrews called the legislation "shameful" and stated she would always support trans youth. The Republican side argues that such previous support for transgender athletes constitutes a radical record that Andrews is now trying to hide.
The political climate has intensified with national polling data indicating significant opposition to transgender athletes in sports teams that do not match their birth sex. A Fox News national poll conducted last month found that 76% of respondents backed banning biological men from competing in women's sports, with opposition standing at one in five. The survey reported bipartisan support for such bans, with 90% of Republicans, 77% of independents, and 61% of Democrats in favor. President Donald Trump, who described anti-trans messaging as one of the party's most effective tools at last month's GOP midterm convention in Dallas, has urged the party to replay its successful 2024 strategy. During the 2024 election, Republicans spent more than $200 million on ads targeting Democrats on this issue, contributing to sweeping GOP victories.
Several other Democratic candidates in vulnerable seats have similarly adjusted their positions. Texas state Rep. James Talarico, running for Senate in a red-leaning state, told Fox News last month that he opposes trans athletes playing in girls' sports if it endangers safety or fairness. In Iowa, Democratic Senate nominee state Rep. Josh Turek has expressed opposition to biological males in women's sports and gender transition surgeries for minors after facing Republican criticism. Longtime Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur is running ads stating that "boys should not play in girls' sports," while North Carolina Rep. Don Davis is highlighting his vote for a GOP bill that could lead to prison for health care workers providing gender-affirming care for minors.
However, these shifts have not been without internal Democratic pushback. Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who initially opposed transgender athletes in girls' sports following the 2024 elections, was defeated in last month's Democratic Senate primary by progressive Sen. Ed Markey. Markey accused Moulton of throwing transgender children "under the bus." The National Republican Congressional Committee also criticized Kaptur's messaging, pointing out that she voted against the GOP-led Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in both April 2023 and January 2025.
Veteran Democratic strategist Maria Cardona argued that Democrats are strategically defining their positions to prevent opponents from defining them before pivoting to economic issues. She contended that Republicans will not be able to weaponize the culture war issue as effectively as they did in 2024 because voters are more concerned with affordability and the cost of living. Conversely, Republican strategist Colin Reed suggested that voters should view these policy shifts with skepticism, particularly when they occur weeks before an election in red states where the issue has proven politically toxic.