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Republicans Repurpose Anti-Trans Messaging in Midterm Elections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the 2024 midterm elections approach, Republicans are reviving a tactic that has proven effective in the past: using anti-trans messaging to sway voters. According to CNN, a group backing Republicans has released an ad echoing last year's presidential campaign, labeling North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper as "sides with they/them." This move follows a pattern of Republican-led attacks on trans rights, from the Trump administration's move to restrict trans athletes in women's sports to a ban on trans people serving in the military.

The ad, produced by the Senate Leadership Fund, is part of a broader strategy to counter Democrats who are running on GOP-led cuts to Medicaid and other parts of Trump's policy megabill. Trump allies spent tens of millions of dollars airing an ad highlighting 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' one-time commitment to providing treatment associated with gender transition to detained immigrants. The ad's tagline mocked the pronouns used by non-binary individuals, saying "Kamala is for they/them; President Trump is for you." This same tactic is now being used in North Carolina and Georgia, two of the most competitive Senate contests in the midterms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Republicans are using anti-trans messaging as a key attack line in the 2024 midterm elections, targeting Democrats who are seen as supporting trans rights.
  • The Senate Leadership Fund has produced an ad labeling North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper as "sides with they/them," echoing a tactic used in last year's presidential campaign.
  • The ad is part of a broader strategy to counter Democrats who are running on GOP-led cuts to Medicaid and other parts of Trump's policy megabill.
  • Trump allies spent tens of millions of dollars airing an ad highlighting 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' one-time commitment to providing treatment associated with gender transition to detained immigrants.
  • The Los Angeles School of Law's Williams Institute estimates that trans people make up less than 0.6% of the United States population ages 13 and older.
  • North Carolina and Georgia host US Senate elections that are expected to rank among the most competitive contests of next year's midterms.
  • The North Carolina GOP has released a statement slamming Cooper, saying that he "championed radical transgender ideology" and "vetoed bills to keep men out of women's sports."
  • The Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ rights organization, is planning a series of town halls in red-state cities over the summer aimed at supporting LGBTQ individuals and policies.
  • The Christopher Street Project, a PAC formed earlier this month, has endorsed 16 initial candidates, including Rep. Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress.

Statistics:

  • Republicans have spent tens of millions of dollars on anti-trans ads, with the Senate Leadership Fund producing an ad labeling North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper as "sides with they/them."
  • Trans people make up less than 0.6% of the United States population ages 13 and older, according to the Los Angeles School of Law's Williams Institute.
  • The Human Rights Campaign has planned a series of town halls in red-state cities over the summer aimed at supporting LGBTQ individuals and policies.
  • The Christopher Street Project has endorsed 16 initial candidates, including Rep. Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress.

Sources:

  • CNN
  • CNN, "Republicans Repurpose Anti-Trans Messaging in Midterm Elections"
  • Senate Leadership Fund
  • Los Angeles School of Law's Williams Institute
  • Human Rights Campaign
  • Christopher Street Project
  • Rep. Sarah McBride
  • [Reference: title not available] (Twitter)

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