This story originally appeared on The Advocate.
Ahead of Halloween and a potentially scary midterm election for Republicans, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz blamed transgender witches for tight Senate polls.
During an interview with Fox News, Cruz was asked why so many Republican-held Senate seats were toss-ups this year. Cruz acknowledged the frightening environment for the GOP — “there are eight to 10 Senate races that are tied or within the margin of error” — before saying Republicans appear cursed because their party is in power.
“This happens a lot in midterms, where the party out of power, they’re usually ticked off,” he said. “And right now, if you’re a left-wing transgender witch, you hate Donald Trump, and you’re going to show up. You’re energized.”
Cruz was being interviewed in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he was campaigning with Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan. The incumbent nodded along with Cruz.
Sullivan’s record on transgender rights includes signing Republican letters opposing protections for transgender athletes and criticizing gender-affirming care for minors, according to the Anchorage Daily News. Those letters challenged policies allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports ...