Democratic Kansas state Rep. Marvin Robinson from Kansas City lost his reelection bid on Tuesday in a very crowded primary. Robinson was known for often siding with Republicans on important topics. The Kansas City Star says that his loss is a big setback in his political career, which was mostly defined by the controversial move he made to keep transgender athletes off of girls’ and women’s sports teams.
Robinson became well-known after being elected in 2022 when she voted to reject the governor’s veto of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. Athletes are required to participate based on the gender they were given at birth, which has been strongly criticized as unfair to transgender people. Even though Republicans had a majority that couldn’t be vetoed, similar laws had failed before Robinson’s vote.
He also voted to cut back on food stamps and against expanding Medicaid. He also agreed with Republicans that abortion should be limited and that diversity and inclusion measures at public colleges should be thrown out.
Only 22% of the votes went to him.
The Star says that Wanda Paige, a Democrat who used to teach and was elected to the Kansas City Public Schools Board, won the primary with 49% of the vote. Robinson’s seat will go to her since there will be no Republican opponent in the next election.
Robinson’s defeat has big effects on the next sitting of the legislature. Laws that govern transgender Kansans are still being hotly discussed. According to the Beacon News, Kansas Republicans recently came close to banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors but failed. Robinson backed this ban.
Paige hasn’t said how she will vote on a ban on gender-affirming care, but she has stressed how important it is to do what is best for kids. She said, “I want to vote to do the right thing.” “Listen to everything, and let’s try to do what’s best for all of our kids.”