Iowa’s anti-transgender law is a GOP election strategy

Iowa’s Republican-led Senate and House have passed, and Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, has signed a bill that immediately bans trans students from participating in high school girls’ sports. This bill fixes a problem that didn’t exist; instead, it sends a message that trans students have no right to be respected or even recognized.

So, why did they do it? David Carney, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign adviser, has the answer. He recently explained to reporters that creating anti-trans laws is a “75 percent to 80 percent winner” for the governor. Reynolds has picked up on that advice, and as a result, trans students have become political pawns sacrificed as part of a Republican election strategy.

What can now we do about that? Make sure their strategy backfires.

David Duer

Iowa City