Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, is making efforts to clarify her position on access to women’s locker rooms, a controversial issue in her campaign. She asserts that men should not be allowed in women’s locker rooms, challenging her opponents’ portrayal of her stance.
“I’m a mom with two kids in Iowa public schools. Their education and safety keep me up at night. So, when my opponent cherry-picks and twists my record, I have to set it straight,” Trone Garriott stated in a campaign video. She emphasized her opposition to men entering women’s locker rooms.
Trone Garriott’s voting record during her tenure in the Iowa legislature presents challenges as she seeks to win one of the nation’s most competitive House seats. Her aim is to defeat incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa.
Before securing the Democratic nomination for the district, Republicans have highlighted aspects of her record, suggesting that she supported policies further left than her current campaign reflects. Notable criticisms include a Muslim prayer she delivered in the Iowa Senate and officiating a satanic wedding as a Lutheran minister.
Vice President J.D. Vance focused on her bathroom policy stance in a campaign speech for Nunn earlier this year. “His opponent voted to push biological males in girls’ sports as early as kindergarten. She was voting against banning gender transition surgeries for minors,” Vance remarked.
Vance and other Republican critics referred to two significant votes by Trone Garriott in the Iowa Senate. In 2023, a vote passed prohibiting schools from allowing individuals in bathrooms that do not align with their biological sex. Another law in 2022 set eligibility rules for sports teams based on biological sex, which she opposed.
Her votes align with previous statements indicating that bathroom and sports participant restrictions stem from racial and gender tensions. She argued this made clearer distinctions ambiguous and confusing, citing these tensions as fueling legislative actions.
Trone Garriott’s campaign has not addressed how her past votes and statements correspond with her current campaign positions or any changes in these positions. Nonetheless, a statement from Zach Schenkman, her spokesperson, affirmed her video’s stance, emphasizing parental rights in deciding children’s safety.
“Sarah does not want men in women’s locker rooms. As a parent, there is nothing more important than the safety of our children. That’s why she will always stand up for a parent’s right to decide what’s best for their children,” Schenkman stated.
In her campaign video, Trone Garriott commented on the topic’s political overemphasis, maintaining her commitment to prioritizing families and children. “Politicians have become too extreme on these issues. I’ll always put kids and families first,” she said.
However, skepticism remains among Republican strategists concerning her change in position. “Even Sarah Trone Garriott’s handlers realize her radical record and history of woke statements is completely unelectable in Iowa. No amount of false ads or consultant lies will hide the truth about her ‘Wicked Witch of Woke’ persona,” claimed Zach Kraft, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee.
The upcoming general election on November 3 will see Trone Garriott, backed by the Democratic nomination, competing against Nunn. Her opponent, Nunn, recently secured re-election with a narrow win over Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam.
Leo Briceno, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report. Previously, he worked with World Magazine.