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Texas Republican Dade Phelan Says Anti-Trans Messaging Fails to Reach Swing Voters
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Republican Lawmaker Warns Anti-Trans Ads Aren’t Resonating
Former Texas House speaker Dade Phelan told *Texas Monthly* that the GOP’s continued focus on transgender issues, especially trans athletes, is “just not resonating” with the voters who could decide upcoming elections. He argued that the party’s “transgender ads” do not connect with the 8-10 % of middle-ground voters whose support is pivotal. Phelan’s comments come as Republicans confront internal anxiety about losing control of the U.S. House of Representatives; on 14 October, *Politico* reported that five senior Republican lawmakers said the party was likely to lose that chamber.
Background: GOP Focus on Transgender Issues
For several years, Republican legislators have introduced and passed measures aimed at limiting transgender participation in school sports, restricting access to gender-affirming health care, and curbing the public recognition of transgender people. These efforts have been a recurring theme in GOP campaign messaging, framing trans athletes as a threat to fairness and safety.
Official Statements & Responses
He suggested the party’s fixation on the issue may jeopardize its electoral prospects, echoing the concerns voiced by the senior lawmakers interviewed by *Politico*.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Let’s be honest. The 8 to 10% of voters in the middle who are going to decide this election, when they hear stuff about boys in girls’ sports, they don’t even know what you’re talking about.” — Dade Phelan, the former speaker of the Texas House of Representatives