As young women across the country lose their athletic scholarships and opportunities to men pretending to be women, Texas Scorecard reached out to all the Republican candidates for the state Legislature to ask if they supported protecting college girls’ athletics.
Last year, the Texas Legislature passed a bill to prohibit biological male students from competing in designated women’s athletic contests at public schools. However, the Republican-led Texas House refused to extend the protections to college female athletes, despite attempts from some lawmakers.
The Legislature’s inaction occurs as the problem continues to grow. Earlier this month, the NCAA crowned Lia Thomas—a biological male—as the women’s national swimming champion in the 500-yard freestyle. The Florida Legislature already protected college girls from this infringement, and Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a proclamation recognizing would-be winner Emma Weyant as the rightful national champion in the NCAA contest.
Senate District 24
Pete Flores: “I wholeheartedly support keeping boys out of girls’ sports. Last year, the Texas Legislature passed HB-25, which prevents boys from competing against girls in middle and high school sports. As was originally intended by Title IX, this bill ensures the right to fair competition and equal opportunity for our daughters and granddaughters. While I support this bill, I believe more legislation is needed to extend this protection to our female collegiate sports. No girl or woman should ever have to worry about competing against a biological male athlete. When I am back in the Texas Senate, I will work to ensure we pass legislation that protects female collegiate athletics.”
Raul Reyes did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 12
Kyle Kacal: “Yes, I would support the expansion.”
Ben Bius did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 17
Paul Pape: “Yes, I will support protections, in sports and all other areas of life, for biological females from biological males.”
Stan Gerdes did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry
House District 19
Ellen Troxclair: “As the mother of two young girls, this is an issue I am very passionate about. I absolutely support expanding protections for girls’ sports to collegiate athletics. In fact, I have been speaking out about this for years and wrote about it in my book (“Step Up: How to Advocate Like a Woman”) over two years ago.
“After the NCAA swim race, I posted this on my Facebook: ‘This is infuriating. I can’t believe a bill has to be passed to prevent biological men from competing in women’s sports, but here we are. Texas must expand the women’s sports protection bill to colleges and save women’s sports now.’
“If elected, I will be filing a bill to do just this and supporting any other members who are willing to champion this issue.”
Justin Berry did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 23
Terri Leo-Wilson: “As a mother of four daughters, I want my girls to be able to compete on an even playing field for the opportunities available to them to earn scholarships to institutions of higher learning. As a former public school teacher, it is imperative that female athletes have the right to equal opportunity in sports in educational institutions that receive federal funds, from elementary schools to colleges and universities. The legislature must preserve fair and equal opportunities for female college athletes to demonstrate their strength, skills, and abilities in athletic competition. I would go even further and support a bill that also includes civil remedies for female athletes who suffer harm by those who would violate the law. The safety and integrity of women’s sports should not be up for debate.”
Patrick Gurski: “As the father of a daughter, I support protecting female sports at the collegiate level, just as we’ve done with UIL.”
House District 52
Caroline Harris: “Yes, I support extending these protections to collegiate athletics. We must protect women’s sports!”
Patrick McGuiness: “Yes, I do. We need to save women’s sports, not just the K-12 girl’s sports.”
House District 60
Mike Olcott: “YES, in support of that proposal.”
Glenn Rogers did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 61
Paul Chabot: “Absolutely. I am a father with three girls in sports. We must do better in Texas to lead on this critical issue. I am greatly concerned by the radical left’s embrace of tearing down girls’ sports in our nation. I am also equally concerned that not enough Republicans are fighting back, as well. I will!”
Frederick Frazier did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 63
Jeff Younger: “This is a no-brainer. I support extending the protections for girls’ sports to college athletics. The sexes should compete in separate events at all levels.”
Ben Bumgarner: “100% yes. As the father of a young daughter, nothing upsets me more than seeing the hard work and struggle young women and girls go through to compete destroyed in this fashion. The Texas Legislature should take every step to protect the safety and integrity of women’s sports next session.”
House District 70
Eric Bowlin: “I would be completely in favor of protections for women’s sports. I believe that it is only common sense that men should participate in men’s sports and women should participate in women’s sports. Despite the point pushed by the media, I believe that allowing men to participate in women’s sports undermines the fairness of these sports and creates situations where hardworking female athletes may be robbed of success by males participating in their sports. I am completely against allowing men to participate in women’s sports and will support any bills to protect women’s sports in Texas.”
Jamee Jolly did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 73
Carrie Isaac: “I would support extending the protections for girls’ sports to collegiate athletics.”
Barron Casteel did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 84
Carl Tepper: “In favor of protecting women’s sports. Will happily work to close any possible gaps of existing legislation [to] ensure each sex competes only against their sex determined at birth.”
David Glasheen: “We need to protect women’s sports at every level. It is unfair to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports. If elected, I support expanding the protection for girls and women to compete fairly and safely.”
House District 85
Phil Stephenson: “Rep. Stephenson would extend protections for girls’ sports in any and all areas, 100%! He views what is unfolding as nothing less than insane—beyond insane, actually.”
Stan Kitzman: “I oppose biological males participating in female athletics and would oppose any bill in the Texas Legislature that would allow it.”
House District 91
David Lowe: “Absolutely! I support the expansion of girls’ sports protections to include collegiate athletics. The weak and woke legislature chose to, once again, bow to the minority and not get this passed.”
Stephanie Klick: “Yes.”
House District 93
Laura Hill: “Yes, I would. It is unfair and wrong for biological men to compete in women’s sports.”
Nate Schatzline: “Yes, I absolutely believe in extending protections for women’s athletics.
“We have to do more to protect women from this ridiculous transgender movement. The biggest threat to the empowerment of women is gender fluidity. I promise to fight against all transgender agendas and support legislation that protects women in their sports and beyond.”
House District 122
Mark Dorazio: “Mark’s stance is that if you are a biological man, you should be participating in male sports, and if you are a biological female, you should be participating in women’s sports.
“This should apply at both the K-12 and collegiate levels.”
Elisa Chan did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 133
Mano DeAyala: “Mano DeAyala (HD 133) supports extending the protections for girls’ sports to collegiate athletics.”
Shelley Torian Barineau: “If elected, I will support extending the protections for girls’ sports to collegiate athletics. It is an important protection for our young women athletes, and girls aspiring to play sports at the collegiate level.”
Updated to include the response of Shelley Torian Barineau.
