DOUG SCHOEN: Why Democrats cannot break free from the far left’s transgender demands

The most formidable challenges facing establishment Democrats in November’s midterms are the success of far-left, socialist, or progressive candidates in primary elections and mainstream Democrats’ surrender to that wing of the party.

Alongside advocating for an agenda that is radical in its drive to reshape America – and is broadly unpopular – the DSA’s influence has left Democrats on the wrong side of an issue that the party has been hobbled by in the past: transgender policies.

Simply put, the DSA’s strong opposition to legislation banning biological males from competing in women’s sports has come to define where the national Democratic Party stands, much to its detriment.

FORMER BERNIE SANDERS OPERATIVE WARNS RADICAL LEFT HAS 'OVERTAKEN' THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FROM WITHIN And while this problem did not suddenly become an issue – Democrats had been trending this way for years before the 2024 election – it is only getting worse and will continue to do so.

Indeed, we have already seen examples of it becoming a prominent topic in 2026 campaigns.

DEMOCRATS STAY QUIET ON NEXT STEPS AFTER SUPREME COURT TRANSGENDER SPORTS RULING In Florida, Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds has made transgender issues a central line of attack against Democrat David Jolly, including Jolly’s position on gender-affirming care for minors.

Jolly disputes Donalds’ characterization of his position.

Moreover, in Massachusetts, during a debate against incumbent Democratic Sen.

Ed Markey, primary challenger Rep.

Seth Moulton was forced to reverse himself and walk back comments he made just two years ago.

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE CANDIDATES TRADE SHARP ATTACKS IN FIERY DEBATE AS INCUMBENT MARKEY SKIPS EVENT At the time, Moulton said , "I have two little girls, I don’t want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete." Fast-forward to their 2026 debate earlier this month: Moulton walked back his phrasing, apologizing to the trans community for any pain caused while insisting his underlying goal was to encourage open debate within the party.

BATTLEGROUND DEMOCRAT FLIP-FLOPS ON CONVERSION THERAPY AFTER LEFT-WING BACKLASH Does Moulton now fear more for his primary prospects with an increasingly dominant far-left base than he does for his daughters’ safety? Both of these examples show the pressure Democrats face from their left flank and their refusal to distance themselves from a position the American people and most Democrats do not endorse.

HOUSE DEMS HAND GOP A WIN ON TRANS SPORTS AS PARTY UNITY CRACKS Analyses of the 2024 election compellingly suggest that this could well have played a decisive role in the outcome.