And we’re back with Broad + Liberty’s Candidate Spotlight Series! Each week, we reach out to candidates all across the Commonwealth up for election to public office — an equal number of Democrats and Republicans; incumbents and challengers. We ask one question per week about public policy pressing to you. Those who choose to respond will have their answers shared on our website every Wednesday through Sunday. (Please see a special statement on unresponsive candidates here.)

Earlier this week, Pennsylvania’s nominees for governor discussed the future of women’s sports in our state. Today, their running mates weigh in.

If you are a candidate for public office in Pennsylvania and would like to participate, please reach out to lsattler@broadandliberty.com.

This week’s question: The International Swimming Federation (FINA) recently voted to enact a new policy that will restrict most transgender athletes from competing in elite women’s aquatics competitions. Do you think that decision is a model for other women’s sports in Pennsylvania?

Austin Davis (D), Running with Josh Shapiro

Right now, Pennsylvanians are facing serious challenges: rising costs in the grocery store and at the pumps, unprecedented attacks on their fundamental freedoms, and for too many, the economy is not working for them or their families. They deserve leaders who will be focused on tackling the challenges they’re facing in this moment — and that’s exactly what I plan to do as Lt. Governor. 

As a current State Representative, I know that ensuring fairness needs to be resolved by the sports experts at the PIAA, not the politicians in Harrisburg.

Carrie Lewis DelRosso (R), Running with Doug Mastriano

I was proud to cosponsor the Protect Women’s Sports Act (House Bill 972), which would ensure women are not forced to compete against biological males on school sports teams. It’s amazing that in the decades-long fight for women’s rights, we’re now back to fighting for women to have a fair playing field in sports.  

My aunt, Helene Lewis Fuller (I refer to her as my Aunt Beede because of how fast she moved through the water!), was the first woman to hold a varsity letter at my alma mater, West Scranton High School. She was elected to the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame because she swam the English Channel, covering 20.5 miles of water, in eleven hours and twelve minutes. Women athletes have made history in Pennsylvania.  

Biological women shouldn’t be shut out of their highest possible achievement in sports because they’re forced to compete against biological males.

As Lieutenant Governor, I will work to protect all women’s sports, because allowing biological males to participate would be detrimental to the advancement of women’s sports.

Broad + Liberty is a nonprofit media endeavor dedicated to sharing voices and stories that are shut out of other media outlets. @BroadAndLiberty