North Carolina Democrat's New Sports Stance Sparks Criticism Over Voting Record
Incumbent Rep. Don Davis touts support for protecting women’s sports in a campaign ad, while opponents point to his past votes and co-sponsorship of the Equality Act as evidence of inconsistency.
Rep. Don Davis, seeking reelection to the U.S. House, released a new campaign advertisement asserting his commitment to safeguarding women’s and girls’ participation in sports and calling for state-level decisions. His opponent, Republican Laurie Buckhout, and campaign manager Stephen Gallagher counter that Davis’s legislative record contradicts his current message, noting a non-vote in 2023 and a present vote in 2025 on related proposals.
Gallagher also cited Davis’s co-sponsorship of the Equality Act, which they argue would permit biological men to compete in women’s sports and access women-only facilities. The dispute unfolds amid North Carolina’s recent state law protecting women’s sports, while the federal Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 has passed the House but still needs Senate approval before the new Congress convenes. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Reilly Richardson added that Davis aligns with the far-left wing of his party on gender-related policies. Davis did not reply to inquiries before publication.
Why it matters
The clash highlights how voting histories can be leveraged in tight congressional races over culturally charged sports legislation.
In this story
Related stories
2 in this thread