-John Ewing [D] won the Omaha Mayoralty defeating his anti-trans opponent
-Zohran Mamdani is hardcore pro-trans rights and he won the NYC democratic primary and looks to win the general, and the incumbent Mayor Adams tried to pivot to banning trans kids in public school bathrooms in NYC but he's out of the race now (for a host of reasons)
-Andy Beshear [D] won in *KENTUCKY* and he's great on trans rights
I think there's more evidence that running on Trans Rights is better than conceding transphobia to the GOP not just morally but politically as well.
It may finally dawn on republicans that the economy is everyone’s main focus. While trans issues maybe on the bottom of survey lists I believe that the majority of people do not have a problem with the trans community. It’s only a small group that want to make it an issue
Erin had all the receipts on how focus group junk science related to political ads contributed to the insane behavior of republicans (and weak democrats) towards Trans people since January, so it's exciting to see the bully logic get shut down in its own language.
I certainly hope Abigail Spanberger becomes the next governor of Virginia. However, people need to get out and vote. Canvassing in my neighborhood this week to encourage others to get out and vote blue in VA
You know what? I'll take one for the team. If it gets Spanberger the seat, I'll personally allow Republicans in Virginia to call me the T-slur from now until the end of Election Day.
Turns out people are starting to realize that trans people are NOT the enemy and that the REAL enemies are the Christian pastors and preachers who prey on little children, the red hat wearing MAGAchuds, and the Republicans in office who refuse to lift a finger to help the Hoi Polloi and instead do everything in their power to make sure their billionaire buddies get all the help they don't need.
So yeah. These anti-trans attack ads seem to have finally run their course.
Anti-trans attacks work best on politicians that rely on poll-tested positions instead of a moral compass. The good ones, like my governor, Andy Beshear, focus on the humanity of trans Americans and their desire to live their best life in a society the works for all Americans, not just the rich.
I think Spanberger wins this race. There just isn't a way for Earle-Sears to get over 50%. Incumbency with regard to party seems like a drag, too, people like Youngkin but not so much all the baggage, Earle-Sears would deliver a dish they don't like. I simply wouldn't put money on anything but the Democrat handily taking it.
This is the kind of news that will help me sleep tonight!! Thanks so much Erin for your reporting; I appreciate you and your whole team. I think that trans allies are growing in number because of the work y'all do and the way our community all over the country are responding to it. We need each other and we all know it. Stay strong everyone!!! Keep the love alive!!!
This closing statement feels premature to me: "If Earle-Sears fails to win running the same playbook, it may signal something larger: that the politics of scapegoating transgender people are losing their grip on American voters."
As I said on another thread - Spanberger is not running a "pro-trans" platform. She's NOT talking about trans rights and is effectively avoiding the topic altogether. That is not the same as being on the side of trans people. This is the only comment on her website where she mentions anything specifically supportive of LGBTQ+ people: "As Governor, she will work to safeguard the rights of all Virginians and make sure that no member of the LGBTQ community is denied government services, discriminated against, or loses a job because of who they are. Abigail supports the General Assembly’s efforts to remove the ban on marriage equality from Virginia’s Constitution and enshrine marriage equality in Virginia." (https://abigailspanberger.com/issue/protecting-the-rights-of-every-virginian/)
Spanberger is not another Mandani or a Talarico and she should not be treated as such. They are taking a definative stance against what is going on at the federal level. Spanberger has made no such statements and issued no such challenges. All we really have right now is the assumption that Spanberger is not going to be as bad as Earl-Sears.
Spanberger may not be talking about it but she won't throw us under the bus, Earle-Sears would be disastrous, this is one to vote in for any VA residents.
I have not seen anything definitive from her to support the claim that she won't throw us under the bus. Given the fact that, among liberal democrats, results have varied wildly regarding actual support for and protection of the trans community since Trump has taken office, I'd rather be proven wrong and be pleasantly surprised, than proactively get on that bandwagon.
I don’t feel like I am overthinking this. I like data and the data just isn’t there. She has not said or done anything on any public record that I have found to indicate she will support trans people. And the statistics on centrist democrats indicate that they abandon trans people when push comes to shove. That’s been the reality. They have not done the work to earn my trust, and until they do I will remain skeptical.
And, to be clear, even with my criticism, I will vote for Spanberger because she is not Earl-Sears. I’m not saying people shouldn’t vote, or shouldn’t vote for her. But Spanberger is not showing herself to be truly progressive (like Mandani), and it’s potentially dangerous to act like she is.
Considering this, and
-John Ewing [D] won the Omaha Mayoralty defeating his anti-trans opponent
-Zohran Mamdani is hardcore pro-trans rights and he won the NYC democratic primary and looks to win the general, and the incumbent Mayor Adams tried to pivot to banning trans kids in public school bathrooms in NYC but he's out of the race now (for a host of reasons)
-Andy Beshear [D] won in *KENTUCKY* and he's great on trans rights
I think there's more evidence that running on Trans Rights is better than conceding transphobia to the GOP not just morally but politically as well.
People are far more likely to be motivated to vote, positively, about trans rights, than to be against trans rights.
That is extremely encouraging, especially in the US!
People are realizing that people who are against human rights for anybody are not the people you want in power.
You Winsome and you Losesome it seems. Not sad to see you go Ms. Earle!
And in California you also Newsom
It may finally dawn on republicans that the economy is everyone’s main focus. While trans issues maybe on the bottom of survey lists I believe that the majority of people do not have a problem with the trans community. It’s only a small group that want to make it an issue
Basically, there just isn't enough of a panic over trans whatever to help Earle-Sears.
Sorry don’t understand your comment are u for Earl- Sears?
No, lol.
Erin had all the receipts on how focus group junk science related to political ads contributed to the insane behavior of republicans (and weak democrats) towards Trans people since January, so it's exciting to see the bully logic get shut down in its own language.
I certainly hope Abigail Spanberger becomes the next governor of Virginia. However, people need to get out and vote. Canvassing in my neighborhood this week to encourage others to get out and vote blue in VA
You know what? I'll take one for the team. If it gets Spanberger the seat, I'll personally allow Republicans in Virginia to call me the T-slur from now until the end of Election Day.
CONTENT WARNING: Anti-Trans slurs:
There are actually two T-slurs: "Tranny" and "Trap".
(I assume you meant the former, though)
Turns out people are starting to realize that trans people are NOT the enemy and that the REAL enemies are the Christian pastors and preachers who prey on little children, the red hat wearing MAGAchuds, and the Republicans in office who refuse to lift a finger to help the Hoi Polloi and instead do everything in their power to make sure their billionaire buddies get all the help they don't need.
So yeah. These anti-trans attack ads seem to have finally run their course.
#StillNotADragQueen
Spanberger blunted the attacks by being ready with her own ads. Her message is more subtle but mirrors what was effective for Susan Crawford in the Wisconsin Sup Ct election where she faced similar anti-trans attack ads. https://host2.adimpact.com/admo/viewer/3eaea482-fd87-4f31-9868-06c8829fcec3/
Good ad, she's letting it be a local issue in terms of the school stuff, I'm convinced she wins this race.
Anti-trans attacks work best on politicians that rely on poll-tested positions instead of a moral compass. The good ones, like my governor, Andy Beshear, focus on the humanity of trans Americans and their desire to live their best life in a society the works for all Americans, not just the rich.
I think Spanberger wins this race. There just isn't a way for Earle-Sears to get over 50%. Incumbency with regard to party seems like a drag, too, people like Youngkin but not so much all the baggage, Earle-Sears would deliver a dish they don't like. I simply wouldn't put money on anything but the Democrat handily taking it.
If you can, help out Sherrill in NJ!
https://x.com/joelwcrump/status/1976888747737464887
https://x.com/joelwcrump/status/1976755474730303512
This is the kind of news that will help me sleep tonight!! Thanks so much Erin for your reporting; I appreciate you and your whole team. I think that trans allies are growing in number because of the work y'all do and the way our community all over the country are responding to it. We need each other and we all know it. Stay strong everyone!!! Keep the love alive!!!
Awesome and uplifting news! Thanks Erin!
Let’s freaking hope so!!!!
This closing statement feels premature to me: "If Earle-Sears fails to win running the same playbook, it may signal something larger: that the politics of scapegoating transgender people are losing their grip on American voters."
As I said on another thread - Spanberger is not running a "pro-trans" platform. She's NOT talking about trans rights and is effectively avoiding the topic altogether. That is not the same as being on the side of trans people. This is the only comment on her website where she mentions anything specifically supportive of LGBTQ+ people: "As Governor, she will work to safeguard the rights of all Virginians and make sure that no member of the LGBTQ community is denied government services, discriminated against, or loses a job because of who they are. Abigail supports the General Assembly’s efforts to remove the ban on marriage equality from Virginia’s Constitution and enshrine marriage equality in Virginia." (https://abigailspanberger.com/issue/protecting-the-rights-of-every-virginian/)
Spanberger is not another Mandani or a Talarico and she should not be treated as such. They are taking a definative stance against what is going on at the federal level. Spanberger has made no such statements and issued no such challenges. All we really have right now is the assumption that Spanberger is not going to be as bad as Earl-Sears.
Spanberger may not be talking about it but she won't throw us under the bus, Earle-Sears would be disastrous, this is one to vote in for any VA residents.
I have not seen anything definitive from her to support the claim that she won't throw us under the bus. Given the fact that, among liberal democrats, results have varied wildly regarding actual support for and protection of the trans community since Trump has taken office, I'd rather be proven wrong and be pleasantly surprised, than proactively get on that bandwagon.
Don't overthink it.
I don’t feel like I am overthinking this. I like data and the data just isn’t there. She has not said or done anything on any public record that I have found to indicate she will support trans people. And the statistics on centrist democrats indicate that they abandon trans people when push comes to shove. That’s been the reality. They have not done the work to earn my trust, and until they do I will remain skeptical.
And, to be clear, even with my criticism, I will vote for Spanberger because she is not Earl-Sears. I’m not saying people shouldn’t vote, or shouldn’t vote for her. But Spanberger is not showing herself to be truly progressive (like Mandani), and it’s potentially dangerous to act like she is.
She has to win in this environment, in VA.