Marcy Kaptur campaign ad on transgender athletes draws backlash from Lucas County Democrats
A new campaign ad from U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Toledo Democrat, is drawing backlash from local party leaders over its messaging on transgender athletes in school sports. The Lucas County Stonewall Democrats and the Lucas County Democratic Party are calling on Kaptur to pull the ad, accusing her of harming the transgender community.
The ad features Kaptur saying she voted with Republicans to keep transgender ideology out of schools. The ad also states that boys should not play in girls sports.
In a letter to Kaptur, the Stonewall Democrats wrote that her words create deep emotional harm and place an unnecessary spotlight on transgender community members. The letter said Kaptur has engaged in a race to the bottom with Republicans.
The Lucas County Democratic Party said in a statement that Kaptur is a better candidate with better policies. The party said gerrymandered districts should not make Democrats stoop to Derek Merrin’s level. Merrin is Kaptur’s Republican challenger in the race for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.
Brent Rabie, executive director of Equality Toledo, called the ad really irresponsible. Rabie said the ad makes an already targeted group of people an even bigger target. He urged all candidates to end dangerous rhetoric on the issue.
“Using this kind of campaign ad for political points on either side is not actually benefiting the country and it’s just using our community as the boogie man, and that goes for anybody that wants to use trans people,” Rabie said.
Some constituents in Kaptur’s district said candidates should focus on other issues like the economy. Erin Czerniak, a constituent, said candidates do not have to follow the other side’s lead.
Kaptur’s campaign defended the ad in a statement from spokesperson Kylie Blitzer. Blitzer said Kaptur supports parents having more insight into their children’s education. Blitzer also said Kaptur believes parents, coaches and local sports associations, not politicians in Washington, should set the rules for girls sports.
Blitzer added that Merrin is desperate to change the subject from an affordability crisis. She said Merrin’s record of helping corporations rig the system against Ohioans contributed to the crisis.
Kaptur has previously supported the Equality Act, federal legislation that would expand civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ Americans.
Czerniak said voters want to hear about kitchen-table issues, not social debates. She said the economy is the top concern in her neighborhood.
Rabie said the ad hurts real people in northwest Ohio, not just a political talking point. He called on both parties to leave transgender residents out of campaign fights.
