Nothing inspires a political rethink quite like an election.

According to a report in Breitbart News, some Democrats are recalibrating their positions on transgender-related policies as the party looks toward the 2026 midterms and, eventually, the 2028 presidential race. The shift is particularly noticeable on transgender participation in women’s sports.

Even California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom now says allowing transgender women and girls who were assigned male at birth to compete against females is “deeply unfair.”

He isn’t alone. Democratic candidates including Iowa gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand and Ohio gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton have also opposed transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico has meanwhile backed away from some previous positions and said he would support a federal ban on gender-transition surgeries for minors.

The political incentive isn’t exactly hidden. A June Quinnipiac poll cited by AP found roughly seven in 10 registered voters oppose transgender women and girls competing on female sports teams.

Not every Democrat is changing course, though. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey remain outspoken defenders of transgender rights – at least until they find out if that position comes with an electoral price tag.

The issue is still there. But as voters start paying attention, some Democrats seem to be discovering that what plays well with activists doesn’t always play as well at the ballot box.