U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes and Republican challenger George Logan met Thursday night in New Britain for a debate centering on abortion access and transgender rights.
黑料吃瓜网 gives transgender athletes the right to compete on teams based on their gender identity. But Logan said he disagrees with that.
"It鈥檚 not fair to the girls and young women that are competing in high school sports, or K-through-12 sports. And ... trying to win scholarships.鈥� Logan said.
Across the country, politicians, including some in 黑料吃瓜网, , saying they should not be allowed to compete in certain high school sporting events.
Hayes said discriminating based on gender identity is wrong and that the state has already decided the issue.
鈥淥n every other issue Mr. Logan says, the state should decide. Well, 黑料吃瓜网 has decided that transgender atheletes can play high school sports,鈥� Hayes said.
In 2020, former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos that allowed transgender athletes to play.
On access to abortion and Congress鈥� role in the issue
The race for congress in the state鈥檚 5th Congressional District, which includes western 黑料吃瓜网 and suburbs west of Hartford, is one of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 most closely-watched contests, .
Throughout the campaign, abortion rights has been a persistent issue. Thursday night鈥檚 debate at Central 黑料吃瓜网 State University was no exception.
Logan said he wouldn鈥檛 support a bill aimed at codifying Roe v. Wade in federal law.
鈥淚 think a decision has been made by the U.S. Supreme Court,鈥� Logan said. 鈥淚 will do everything in my power to make sure that a woman鈥檚 right to choose is in no way infringed from what we have here in 黑料吃瓜网 state law.鈥�
Hayes said she would 鈥渁bsolutely vote yes鈥� if there was a federal vote codifying abortion rights.
鈥淭he decision is between a woman and her doctor 鈥� full stop,鈥� Hayes said. 鈥淭here is no room for government intervention. There is no room for me.鈥�
Earlier this month, Hayes and Vice President Kamala Harris met at CCSU for a roundtable discussion on abortion rights.
Logan has said Democrats should be more focused on issues related to the economy and inflation.
About the candidates
Hayes made history in 2018 as the first Black woman to represent 黑料吃瓜网 in Congress. Speaking recently on 黑料吃瓜网 Radio鈥檚 Where We Live, Hayes said her message to voters is her record in Congress, including voting for, a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package Congress passed in March 2021.
Logan served for two terms as a state senator. He is trained as an engineer and played guitar in . Logan told 黑料吃瓜网 Radio鈥檚 Where We Live earlier this week he would describe himself 鈥渁s a proud 黑料吃瓜网 Republican. I鈥檓 more moderate when it comes to dealing with social issues and more conservative leaning when it comes to financial, fiscal issues.鈥�
