With the 2024 election just hours away, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey has distanced himself from his longstanding support for transgender athletes in women’s sports. In a newly released ad, Casey accuses his Republican challenger Dave McCormick of misleading voters about his stance, claiming, “The truth? Bob Casey’s not for men in girls’ sports.” However, this shift comes after years of vocal support for policies that would allow biological men who identify as women to participate in women’s sports and use women-only spaces.
Casey’s record on LGBTQ issues reveals a history of backing progressive policies. He co-sponsored the Equality Act, which aimed to grant access to female locker rooms, shelters, and sports teams to men who identify as women. Additionally, when the NCAA pulled its events from North Carolina in response to its 2016 law restricting access to women’s facilities, Casey openly invited the NCAA to Pennsylvania, writing, “Pennsylvania is proud of its diversity across the Commonwealth.” He also added, “We strive to achieve equality for the people who both reside and visit the Commonwealth regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or sexual identification.” He later reflected, “If the state government in North Carolina had done the right thing, nobody would have to write a letter suggesting alternate locations.”
This apparent reversal on trans-inclusive policies comes amid rising voter concern over these issues. In 2020, Casey criticized Republicans as “extreme,” tweeting, “Some extreme Republican politicians care more about what bathrooms transgender people use, or what sports team they play on, than they do about violence against transgender women of color.” His recent change in tone aligns with similar reversals by other Democrats, including Colin Allred in Texas and Mary Peltola in Alaska, as Americans voice dissatisfaction with policies allowing men in women’s spaces.
McCormick and his allies have consistently highlighted Casey’s track record on these issues, accusing him of attempting to rewrite his history with voters.
Casey has even weighed in on youth transgender issues, defending medical transitions for young adults. In a June 2023 letter, he argued that concerns about trans athletes were “overgeneralized” and based on “unfounded assumptions.” “The decision to transition is a profoundly significant and challenging one that young adults make after careful consideration,” he wrote, adding, “This is a conclusion that young adults reach after extensive consultation with their medical providers and loved ones.”
The race is currently a statistical tie, with both Casey and McCormick polling at 47% according to an Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey, leaving 6% of voters undecided. Casey’s last-minute ad could be a strategic pivot as he attempts to win over these voters, but his record may prove a difficult obstacle as voters head to the polls.