INDIANAPOLIS — In his first run for public office, an executive with the Indiana Pacers organization has revived a controversial but settled issue in the state: transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports.
Republican candidate Danny Lopez said the issue is a priority within the 39 th House district which comprises most of Carmel.
Bill to ban transgender students from school sports passes Indiana House In a phone conversation with FOX59/CBS4, Lopez said that’s why he featured the issue in his latest campaign television ad.
Lopez explained, “There’s only one candidate talking about the importance of preserving the gains that we’ve made on behalf of girls and young women.”
The 30-second spot accuses his opponent Democrat Matt McNally of supporting biological boys participating in girls’ sports.
McNally said the ad is a distortion of his position and a distraction.
“We’re going to run our race on the issues and we’re gonna run on the policies that matter to people and we’re not going to allow ourselves to be distracted by culture war issues,” said McNally.
However, this issue of transgender athletes is already addressed in state law.
Two years ago, the GOP supermajority in the Statehouse pushed through a ban on transgender girls playing in girls’ sports .
Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed the legislation, and McNally believes it was the right call.
“It was an unnecessary bill. There was already a policy in place, and I agree with the Governor,” said McNally.
That veto was overridden by the General Assembly making the statewide ban law.
Pacers Foundation to launch ‘State of Play’ program Without any public polling available, it’s difficult to gauge the race for the 29 th District seat. But McNally also ran here two years ago against then-incumbent Republican Jerry Torr, with McNally pulling in almost 48% of the vote.
Lopez’s new ad does seem to put him at odds with his employer. Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PSE) has made a point of developing relationships with the LGBTQ community, including events like the annual Pride Night game for the Pacers.
A statement from PSE reads in part, “We support Danny Lopez’s decision to run for office, however…his beliefs are his own and in no way a reflection of the company’s.”
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