Will County Gazette

Illinois 11th Congressional District candidate Catalina Lauf is discouraged by seeing transgender women competing in women’s sports. 

“Young women compete in sports to better themselves, have fun, earn scholarships, and make a career out of being professional athletes,” Lauf said in a statement. "But when men compete in girls' sports, young women lose their opportunities.” 

She urged that biological males should only compete in men's sports. 

“Have you heard of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas?" Lauf asked. "Lia started competing in the women’s division, broke multiple records, and defeated female Olympians. Do you think this is fair?” 

Lauf wants to tackle the matter in the chamber to keep a fair competition for female athletes.

“The radical left is letting men invade girls’ sports because they think it makes them 'woke' or something," Lauf said. "But I have news for them. This is not a political issue. This is a scientific issue. A study from the equality group of the U.K.'s Sports Council shows that transgender women who take testosterone suppression do not lose the competitive advantages men have. Even Caitlyn Jenner opposes biological boys who are trans competing in girls sports in school."

“it just isn’t fair. And we have to protect girls’ sports in our schools," Lauf said. "The truth is clear, girls suffer when men invade their sports. I am not afraid to take this issue head-on. In Congress, I will fight for what matters to you. Will you stand with me?”

The new 11th Congressional District includes the cities of Aurora, Naperville, Woodridge, Darien, Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, New Lenox, and Joilet.  It includes parts of DuPage, Will, and Cook counties. 

Lauf served as an advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce under President Donald Trump. She will face a crowded Republican primary including Mark Carroll, Jerry Evans, Susan Hathaway-Altman, Andrea Heeg, Juan Ramos, and Tanner-Miller. The winner of the primary will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Bill Foster.

Lauf has expressed hope the district can flip to Republican in the November election. The National Republican Congressional Committee classified the race as a possible flip.