Democratic Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin dodged a direct answer Sunday when pressed on whether biological men should compete in women’s sports. NBC News host Kristen Welker pushed her for a stance after playing a clip from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom, in his first podcast episode, called it “deeply unfair” for biological men to compete in women’s sports. His comment sparked backlash from fellow Democrats. After airing the clip on “Meet the Press,” Welker asked Slotkin if she agreed.
“Well, look, I think you’ll have to talk to Mr. Newsom and his podcast,” Slotkin replied. She called the debate “good controversy” but avoided taking a side. “For me, I grew up playing three seasons of sports. In Michigan, sports is like our religion. I wouldn’t be here without the leadership training I got in women’s sports.”
She then suggested the issue should be settled at the local level. “Let the local community figure this out,” she said. In Michigan, athletes must get a waiver to play on teams that don’t match their birth sex. “We’ve had it happen two times in our entire state.”
Newsom’s remarks angered Democrats in California. The state’s LGBTQ caucus, led by Assemblymember Chris Ward and state Sen. Caroline Menjivar, blasted his comments. They called his stance “profoundly sickened and frustrated.”
Despite the backlash, Newsom has long supported transgender policies. He backed allowing men in women’s prisons and letting schools transition children without parental consent. His record contradicts his latest statement.
Slotkin doubled down on leaving the decision to local communities. She dismissed the controversy as manufactured. “Let the local communities, just like everything with schools, handle that issue,” she said. “I think this issue is being brought up to make sparks and see sparks fly.”
Democrats continue to resist banning biological men from women’s sports. On March 3, Senate Democrats blocked the GOP’s Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. They voted 51-45 along party lines, stopping the bill.
Polling suggests most Americans disagree. A Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll found 69% support banning biological men from girls’ sports. Even 50% of Democrats backed the restriction.