The Fresno County Democratic Party accused Gov. Gavin Newson of abandoning party values for remarks he made about transgender athletes in a recent podcast interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

In the 75-minute discussion on his podcast “This Is Gavin Newsom” on Wednesday, Newsom expressed concerns about fairness in youth sports competitions involving transgender athletes, echoing Republican arguments that banning transgender women and girls from female athletic competitions would ensure fairness.

He also acknowledged that Democrats are struggling politically on the issue.

Related Story: Newsom Breaks From Democratic Stance on Transgender Sports

“The Fresno County Democratic Party is disappointed in Governor Newsom’s words and actions on his new podcast, ‘This is Gavin Newsom,’ and his platforming of far-right radical spokesperson Charlie Kirk,” the organization said in a statement.

Conant Says Republicans Erasing History, Purging Data

Marsha Conant, first vice-chair of the Fresno County Democratic Party and Central Valley representative to the California Democratic LGBTQ Caucus, called Newsom’s comments “very disappointing.”

“These are not the values of the Democratic Party,” Conant said. “We believe in the unique diversity and perspectives everyone brings to the table. This includes our transgender community members. It’s especially true now that the Republican party has dedicated itself to removing them from public existence. Erasing history from national websites, purging data from federal databases, and trying to pass legislation to keep them out of public spaces. Now, more than ever, we need to stand with our transgender community.”

While Newsom expressed sympathy for transgender individuals — citing higher rates of suicide and depression — he also distanced himself from the use of pronouns and the term “Latinx.”

The governor’s remarks come as Democrats nationwide face increasing scrutiny over policies regarding transgender participation in sports, a subject that has sparked legal battles and legislation across multiple states.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.