Republicans revive ‘they/them' attack ads on Kamala Harris for 2026 midterm elections

Indian Express

3 days ago

US Republicans are reusing a slogan from the 2024 presidential race — 'Kamala is for they/them' — in their new ads for next year's congressional and governor's races, CNN reported. In 2024, Donald Trump's campaign used this slogan to mock then Vice President Kamala Harris' past support for policies that gave detained immigrants access to gender-transition-related healthcare. The campaign contrasted that with 'President Trump is for you.'
The phrase 'they/them' refers to pronouns often used by non-binary people, meaning individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female.
Now, the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), a major Republican group, is running similar ads in states like North Carolina and Georgia. These ads attack Democrats for supporting transgender rights, especially in sports and healthcare.
Chris LaCivita, Trump's co-campaign manager in 2024 and the creator of the original ads, told CNN the message worked well. 'The purpose of the ads… was built around the need to increase our vote share with men, Hispanics, and moms,' LaCivita said. 'The ads… achieved the results that we were looking for.'
In North Carolina, a new SLF ad targets Democratic Senate candidate and former governor Roy Cooper, claiming he 'sides with they/them.' It also criticises his vetoes of bills banning transgender women from competing in women's sports. The state Republican Party accused Cooper of supporting 'radical transgender ideology.'
In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff is facing similar attacks. One ad shown during a basketball game said: 'Man-to-man defense isn't woke enough for Ossoff, he's playing for they/them.' Ossoff's campaign called these ads a distraction from public anger over Republican-backed cuts to Medicaid, a government health program for low-income people.
In Virginia, Republican candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears has attacked Democrat Abigail Spanberger. 'Think your daughter should compete and share a locker room with biological men.'
Democrats argue Republicans are focusing on transgender issues to avoid talking about the economy and healthcare.
'Republicans have given in to the most extreme fringes of their party by abandoning pocketbook issues in favour of an anti-freedom agenda,' said Viet Shelton, spokesperson for the Democrats' House campaign arm, reported CNN. He urged Republicans to work on 'expanding the middle class, lowering costs, and protecting freedoms.'
The renewed Republican focus comes as some Democrats express sympathy for conservative concerns about transgender women competing in women's sports.
California Governor Gavin Newsom told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk the issue was 'deeply unfair.' US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said there were 'serious fairness issues' in some cases..
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, warned that ignoring trans rights would make Democrats look weak. 'I think it's a mistake to focus just on economics and allow trans children to get bullied,' he said as per CNN.
In California, Democratic candidate for governor Stephen Cloobeck released an ad showing Donald Trump alongside convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The narrator says: 'Trump is for they/them,' before adding, 'Stephen Cloobeck is for you.'
(With inputs from CNN)