California Candidates Clash Over Trans Athletes in Girls’ Sports

Steve Hilton, the Republican front‑runner for California’s governorship, stepped onto a track field this Friday to launch a campaign rally titled “Save Girls Sports.” His message was clear: he would fight against what he calls the “far‑left” stance on transgender athletes competing in girls’ teams. With only five days until the primaries, Hilton’s remarks hit a hot topic that has dominated state headlines for two years.

The Controversy

The controversy centers on AB Hernandez, a high‑school sprinter from Jurupa Valley. Hernandez has won state titles in girls’ track and is set to compete again this season. His participation sparked national debate after he won two girls’ state championships last year, and again when his presence in a girls’ volleyball team led several opponents to forfeit games. The California Interscholastic Federation has now adopted a pilot rule that bumps any female athlete who finishes behind Hernandez one spot higher, allowing him to share podium positions with girls.

Hilton’s Criticism

Hilton criticized Democratic figures Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra for supporting trans athletes. In a video, Steyer praised Hernandez’s determination and hoped he would win the girls’ titles. Hilton called Steyer “out of touch” with California families and described Becerra as a career politician who has been silent on the issue. He pledged that, if elected, he would immediately suspend the 2013 law AB 1266 and begin legal action to overturn it, arguing that the statute violates the state constitution.

Balancing Rights and Respect

While Hilton frames his stance as protecting the majority’s rights, he also says he respects individual choices. He urged parents to decide how their children participate in sports but warned that “a tiny number of people should not impose their view on the majority.” His rally was joined by former NCAA soccer player Sophia Lorey, state superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw, and Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Brown.

Public Opinion

A recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found that about 65 % of Californians and 71 % of public‑school parents favor requiring transgender athletes to compete on teams that match the sex assigned at birth. With primaries looming, Hilton’s position appears to align with the majority of voters, while Steyer’s support for trans athletes places him in a minority stance.