Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews refers to trans women “biological men playing women’s sports” in new ad. (Getty Images)
Democratic South Carolina Senate nominee Annie Andrews has released a new TV ad after Donald Trump used a transphobic slur about her, with Andrews stating she rejects trans-inclusive sports and youth gender-affirming care.
In the 30-second ad, Andrews speaks to camera in a white lab coat with a stethoscope over her shoulder, describing herself as a paediatrician and a mother of three.
She says: “So I want you to hear me loud and clear. I don’t support biological men playing women’s sports, and I don’t support and haven’t ever performed gender surgery for minors.”
The commercial follows Trump dubbing her “Annie ‘T******’ Andrews” in a social media post three days earlier. Andrews is a cisgender woman.
Andrews’ previous position on trans issues
Andrews’ ad lands after weeks of Republican attacks against transgender people.
One TV ad from a pro-Graham super PAC depicts a transgender person “ominously approaching a young girl in a grocery store aisle” and saying Andrews “has my vote.”
Republicans have also pointed to Andrews’ previous opposition to South Carolina’s 2022 law that bars transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports teams at public schools. In a 2022 X post, she called the law “shameful” and promised to “always support trans youth”.
Are trans issues being used as a political tool?
Trump is backing Andrews’ Republican opponent, Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to the seat this summer following the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Responding to Andrews’ ad, Graham campaign spokesperson T.W. Arrighi said in a statement to CNN: “Annie Andrews is bad medicine for South Carolina,” adding: “She is openly lying about her record.”
The race has also drawn major outside spending, with the Senate Leadership Fund deciding to invest $5 million in the contest. 11 September is due to see Andrews and Graham face off in their first debate.
Trump has previously spoken about trans issues in politics, admitting he uses trans issues as a campaign tactic in comments made on 9 September at the Republican Party’s first national midterm convention in Dallas.