Transgender Culture War Favors Republicans in Midterms

When Mehmet Oz seemed sympathetic to the idea of “transgender children” during a 2010 episode of his show, Dr. Oz, few would have guessed that, over a decade later — in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania — this would be used as a line of attack against him. Oz has responded to such criticism by publicly stating his opposition to medicalized child transition and allowing males into females’ sports. What else could he do? The transgender question is no longer a fringe issue but a measure of electability.

Look at the Senate race in Georgia for another example of how the issue is playing a major role in midterm campaigns. Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock is only slightly ahead of his Republican opponent, Herschel Walker, and among swing voters, culture-war issues may yet prove decisive. Both candidates are black men who identify as Christians. Warnock is progressive whereas Walker has positioned himself against wokeness, accusing ideologues of “poisoning our kids’ minds” by “going into schools and telling little white kids they’re oppressors and little black kids they’re victims.” Walker has also taken aim at Warnock’s views on transgenderism.

About the Author

Madeleine Kearns

Madeleine Kearns is a former staff writer at National Review.

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When Mehmet Oz seemed sympathetic to the idea of “transgender children” during a 2010 episode of his show, Dr. Oz, few would have guessed that, over a decade later — in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania — this would be used as a line of attack against him. Oz has responded to such criticism by publicly stating his opposition to medicalized child transition and allowing males into females’ sports. What else could he do? The transgender question is no longer a fringe issue but a measure of electability.

Look at the Senate race in Georgia for another example of how the issue is playing a major role in midterm campaigns. Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock is only slightly ahead of his Republican opponent, Herschel Walker, and among swing voters, culture-war issues may yet prove decisive. Both candidates are black men who identify as Christians. Warnock is progressive whereas Walker has positioned himself against wokeness, accusing ideologues of “poisoning our kids’ minds” by “going into schools and telling little white kids they’re oppressors and little black kids they’re victims.” Walker has also taken aim at Warnock’s views on transgenderism.