Riley Gaines endorses Ken Paxton for Senate, cites fight to protect women's sports
"Texas needs a senator who will fight without apology for women, for kids, and for the health of every American family," Gaines said in a statement."Ken Paxton is that leader, and I am proud to support and endorse him."Former competitive swimmer Riley Gaines speaks at a news conference following the House of Representatives vote on H.R.
28 - "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act" at the U.S.Capitol on January 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.
The House of Representatives passed the legislation in a 218 to 206 vote to prohibit federal funding for K-12 schools that include transgender students on women’s sports teams.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, became a prominent advocate for preserving female-only athletic divisions after tying transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA championships.TEXAS AG KEN PAXTON SENDS MESSAGE TO WNBA AMID 'CONCERNS' OVER TREATMENT OF SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SUPPORTERSShe praised Paxton as a "relentless fighter for the protection of children" and highlighted his legal action against the NCAA."He has taken decisive action against those who would expose our children to irreversible harm and refused to be silent while the radical left was putting the next generation in danger," Gaines said.
"He even filed a major lawsuit against the NCAA to keep men out of women’s sports."Paxton sued the NCAA in December 2024, accusing the organization of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by marketing competitions as women’s events while allowing transgender athletes to participate.The lawsuit sought to prevent transgender athletes from competing in NCAA women’s events involving Texas teams or taking place in the state.
The NCAA later changed its policy in February 2025 to restrict women’s competition to athletes who were female at birth.Paxton has also filed lawsuits against doctors he accused of violating a Texas law prohibiting certain transition-related ...