Democratic Rep. Colin Allred of Texas is facing pushback from the progressive part of his party for his recent attack ad against Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in which he says he doesn't want “boys playing girls' sports.” The ad debuted days before Allred took the stage Tuesday night to debate his Republican opponent in next month's Senate race.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the country's largest LGBTQ lobbying group, endorsed Allred this year. But they expect Allred to explain his comments.
HRC spokesperson Brandon Wolff told LGBTQ media outlet The Advocate: “Texans have been victims of Ted Cruz’s hate and lies for years. They are ready to turn the page.”
“Congressman Allred needs to explain his comments in this ad. They just don't fit with what we know about his background. For years, he has supported our community and worked to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. The Texans finally have a leader. Deserving are those who value equality and freedom.”
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A Ted Cruz, right, super PAC is spending $3 million to criticize Colleen Allred, left, for her stance on boys in women's sports.
Allred, who is now running for Senate, released the ad in response to the recent attacks Cruisewhich attempted to link Allred to supporting transgender inclusion in girls' and women's sports.
“I am also a Christian father, and my faith has taught me that all children are children of God. So let me be clear: I don’t want boys playing girls’ sports or Ted Cruz saying something ridiculous,” Allred said in the ad.
Her statement also drew the ire of other trans activists, including transgender journalist Erin Reed.
“Allred’s response is significant. She is the first major Democratic candidate to embrace anti-trans messaging,” Reid wrote on X. “Her decision to respond in this way may have been shortsighted.”
Texas Dame Allred says she opposes 'boys in women's sports' despite having allowed fight for parental rights in the past
A transgender flag (Getty Images)
A new ad paid for by Cruz's campaign aired during an NFL game in Texas this month and claimed what Allred wanted an “extremely liberal vision for America” to allow “boys among girls.” sport“Cruise is reportedly scheduled to run another ad this Sunday, a third addressing the issue
Allred is a former NFL linebacker who played for the Tennessee Titans from 2006 to 2010 after a college career at Baylor. He announced his Senate campaign to challenge Cruz in May 2023 and then won his party's nomination in early March of this year.
In October 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law banning transgender student athletes from playing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
Texas is one of 23 states with laws that prevent transgender inclusion in women's sports. Allred opposed this effort in the first year of his congressional career. Still in June 2023, He co-sponsored A bill that would “force public schools to allow biologically male athletes who identify as transgender on women’s sports teams.”
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Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, shown, running against Texas Rep. Colin Allred, a Democrat. (via Alison Bailey/Middle East Images/AFP Getty Images)
Allred posted on X, “Texas should be a place where our young people can be free from discrimination. This is yet another dark and shameful moment for our state because the Texas Republican Party is more focused on addressing the real issues we face than attacking trans students.”
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Allred has also advocated for a transgender bill of rights, co-sponsoring a resolution in March 2023 “recognizing that it is the duty of the federal government to develop and implement a transgender bill of rights.” The resolution called for federal law to allow biological males “to participate in team sports and participate in programs that better align with their gender identity; (e) use school facilities that best align with their gender identity.”
Additionally, Allred supported efforts that would limit parental rights regarding transgender athletes. He voted against the Parental Rights Act, which would require school districts to warn parents if their child shares a bathroom, locker room or sports team with a student of the opposite biological sex.
Cruz and Allred are scheduled for their first and only debate on Tuesday night. Cruz has held his Senate seat for the past 12 years.
Fox News Digital reached out to Allred's campaign for comment but did not receive a response by publication deadline.
Fox News Digital's Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
