Only Three Democrats Eyeing 2028 Answered Axios’s Transgender Questionnaire — Here’s What They Said

Axios sent a short questionnaire about transgender issues to nearly 20 Democrats frequently mentioned as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Only three answered: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, former White House chief of staff and Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Numerous other high-profile Democrats either declined or did not respond.

Who Responded—and Who Didn’t

The three respondents addressed questions including: should transgender girls be allowed to compete in girls' sports; should minors be prescribed puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones; and the broader question, "Can a man become a woman?" Prominent figures who did not answer or declined to comment included former Vice President Kamala Harris, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ro Khanna, Governors JB Pritzker, Gavin Newsom, and Andy Beshear, and Senators Cory Booker and Chris Murphy.

Josh Shapiro

Shapiro's team pointed Axios to an Atlantic profile in which the governor deflected to state sports authorities on eligibility rules, arguing that experts and governing bodies—not politicians—should decide scholastic sports policy. When pressed about his personal view, Shapiro was quoted as saying he sympathizes with transgender youth while also expressing concern about competitive fairness.

"Look, I think it's a tough deal being born into the wrong body. And I don't think these kids deserve to be persecuted and bullied by the president of the United States. I also don't think they deserve an unfair advantage on the playing field." — Josh Shapiro (as quoted in The Atlantic)

The profile also noted Pennsylvania's participation in litigation challenging a federal policy limiting minors' access to certain gender-affirming treatments.

Rahm Emanuel

Emanuel reiterated views he expressed on The Megyn Kelly Show: he said boys should not play in girls' sports, argued parental involvement is essential for decisions about puberty blockers and hormones, and rejected placing men who say they are women into female prisons.

Interviewer: "Can a man become a woman?" Rahm Emanuel: "Can a man become a woman? Not—, no."

Pete Buttigieg

Buttigieg's team cited an NPR interview in which he emphasized compassion for transgender people and families, acknowledged legitimate fairness concerns about sports, and argued that decisions about participation and medical care should largely be made by sports leagues, school boards, and local communities rather than federal politicians.

"The approach starts with compassion — compassion for transgender people, compassion for families, especially young people who are going through this... I think these decisions should be in the hands of sports leagues and school boards and not politicians." — Pete Buttigieg (NPR)

Why This Matters

The exchanges illustrate an ongoing divide in the Democratic coalition over how to balance transgender rights, youth medical care, and fairness in competitive sports. With the 2028 presidential field already being discussed, these contrasting responses — and the fact that most potential contenders declined to answer — may signal how sensitive the issue remains within the party and how candidates plan to navigate it publicly.

Sources: Axios questionnaire outreach; The Atlantic profile of Josh Shapiro; The Megyn Kelly Show; NPR interview; original post on Mediaite.