Debates

I have to ask what would happen if a candidate refused to debate a black candidate would there be an outcry? How about if a Republican has refused to debate the Democratic candidate because she is trans.

Conservative stalwart Bob Marshall won't debate his transgender challenger
Fauquier
By Jill Palermo
September 15, 2017

Incumbent Del. Bob Marshall is refusing to debate his Democratic challenger, Danica Roem, because he says her campaign has referred to him as “Bigot Bob,” an insult he says “disqualifies” the two from face-to-face discourse.

Marshall, R-13th, said the phrase "is simply not correct" and suggests his Roem is more interested in "hurling insults" than discussing public policy.

In the same interview, Marshall doubled down on calling Roem, a transgender woman, "he," asking a reporter: "Why do you call Danica a female? Did Danica's DNA change?"

Roem, the 32-year-old former Gainesville Times journalist vying to unseat the longtime conservative stalwart did not immediately return messages Thursday night seeking comment on Marshall’s remarks.

Danica Roem has a long uphill battle to get elected in Virginia and I think she should run on the issues and not to call the Republican names, she should take the high road.

Danica Roem is not the only trans candidate running for office, here in Connecticut we have a trans woman running for governor.

Transgender candidate running for Conn. governor
CT Post
By Neil Vigdor
March 7, 2017

Jacey Wyatt doesn’t conform to labels the way most politicians do.

She has run for local office in Branford, Conn. as a Republican and a third-party petitioning candidate.

Wyatt, who grew up as John Christian Pascarella before undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2003, is running for governor as a Democrat.

“I don’t care if people are wondering what I have under my pants,” Wyatt told Hearst Connecticut Media on Monday. “My body obviously does not look like a typical politician.”
[…]
In 2011, Wyatt ran unsuccessfully for tax collector in Branford, which is east of New Haven, as a Republican. In 2013 and 2015, she ran for first selectman as a third-party petitioning candidate, but did not get elected.

Even though she is trans I don’t support her; she has no experience in governing and I don’t want somebody who will need on-the-job training when the state faces a financial crisis.

Let’s face it; we are fighting an uphill battle when running for office. Not only do we have to campaign against the opposition candidate but we have to overcome the stigma of being trans.