Ron DeSantis played down transgender “bathroom wars” when he ran for Florida governor in 2018, a newly unearthed clip shows — as the 2024 presidential candidate is expected to discuss the hot-button issue during the third Republican debate on Wednesday.
“Do you support or oppose a law allowing a transgender person to choose the bathroom of their choice?” moderator Frank Luntz asked DeSantis at a 2018 Florida Republican gubernatorial forum, the clip shows.
“I will not pass the law. I’m going to leave it as it is and stay out of it,” DeSantis replied, before adding, “Of course I have to read the bill, but I think getting into a bathroom war — I don’t think that’s a good use of our time .”
The clip has resurfaced as DeSantis and her 2024 challenger have exchanged heated words about their record in championing women’s rights and opposing gender identity politics.
Transgender issues have exploded to the forefront of conservative politics ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Ron DeSantis has won praise from conservatives for his culture war crusade.Getty Images
Many 2024 presidential candidates have come out against transgender women competing in sports against biological women or transition surgeries for American teenagers.
The governor’s team insists his record is strong on the matter.
“Ron DeSantis’ record on this issue is very clear and says it all. The governor championed, and this year signed into law, HB 1521 which protects women from asking men to use their restrooms,” her campaign told The Post.
“I will not pass the law. I’m going to leave it as it is and stay out of it,” DeSantis said in a clip about the transgender bathroom law.REUTERS
“She fought to keep gender ideology out of schools, protect women’s sports, and keep children safe from disfiguring gender reassignment surgery. Ron DeSantis beat the left on this issue in Florida and will do so as president.
At various times in the primary, the DeSantis campaign blasted rivals such as former President Donald Trump and Nikki Haley for their record on transgender issues.
Recently, his campaign attacked Haley for legislation she vetoed on transgender issues. In 2016, he opposed laws to force individuals to use the bathroom that corresponds to their gender assigned at birth.
“While she was governor, the Legislature introduced a bill to ban biological males from using girls’ restrooms. Instead of taking a clear stand for what’s right…Nikki Haley gave in.
“He rejected the ‘unnecessary’ bill and it’s going nowhere”https://t.co/n5MpcQt5Pv
— DeSantis War Room ? (@DeSantisWarRoom) November 7, 2023
At the time, Haley suggested that such legislation was unnecessary, saying, “there’s not a single example that I’m aware of” where that was an issue in her state.
Haley’s campaign declined to comment on her record on transgender issues when asked.
Over the summer, the DeSantis campaign has grilled Trump in an attack video on social media branding him a “pioneer in injecting gender ideology into the mainstream.”
Nikki Haley has been rising in recent polls.AP
The Trump campaign suggested in response that DeSantis’ team was “desperate.”
DeSantis is set to face off against four other GOP contenders during the third Republican debate Wednesday afternoon.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
