In a packed gubernatorial race with scores of television, radio and online ads filling the airwaves, a new message from candidate Treg Taylor ventures into the culture-wars battle to protect girls’ sports from transgender activists and Democrat allies who demand that biological males be allowed to compete in female-only sports.
Former Alaska Attorney Gen. Treg Taylor just released the ad, “Locker Room,” in which he calls out the leading Democratic candidate, Tom Begich, for blocking legislation that would have protected girls from having to compete against males who believe they are girls.
“As your attorney general, I fought to keep liberal nonsense from the Lower-48 out of Alaska,” the ad opens. “But woke radicals are here. My Democratic opponent is pushing for boys in girls’ sports. Alaska’s next governor should protect our daughters, not the men who prey on them. That’s why I’m running, to stand with President Trump – save girls sports, and keep Alaska, Alaska.”
During the 32nd Alaska State Legislature, SB 140 would have designated sex for school-sponsored sports. On May 17, 2022, then-Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich voted to successfully table the bill, thereby ensuring there would be no statutory protections for girls’ sports, only an administrative regulation which the next governor can repeal.
Tom Begich is a hard-left, pro-abortion Democrat who is endorsed by many groups and individuals within Alaska most liberal circles. This includes Planned Parenthood, which highlighted his commitment to pushing abortion and the LGBTQ agenda.
This past March, Tom Begich stood by his vote to block protections for girls’ sports. During a gubernatorial forum in Palmer, he defended his decision, claiming that keeping males out of girls’ sports was somehow a form of “discrimination.”
Of the 17 candidates currently running to replace outgoing Gov. Mike Dunleavy, 13 are Republican. For the most part, political ads have focused heavily on the economy, resource development, the PFD, infrastructure, education and public safety. Taylor’s decision to specifically highlight his commitment to protect girls’ sports may resonate with the conservative GOP base, which all the leading Republican candidates will need in the upcoming Aug. 18 primary.
Only the top four vote-getters will advance to the general election in November, which will then be decided by ranked-choice voting.
