Remember which Senate candidate protects women in sports
State Rep. Heidi Sampson
Portland Press Herald
February 4, 2026
Women’s and girls’ sports exist for one reason: to give women and girls a fair, safe place to compete. That principle should be non-controversial. Yet under Democratic leadership — and with Janet Mills as governor — Maine has been pushed to abandon it.
Gov. Mills has not stood up for women. Instead, she openly defied efforts to protect women’s sports, even challenging President Trump with a “see you in court” when he moved to block federal funding from universities that allow biological males to compete in women’s athletics. The administration’s action was clear in its intent to keep men out of women’s sports.
As governor, Janet Mills forced this policy on Maine. Now, she’s asking voters to reward her with a promotion to the U.S. Senate.
Mainers weren’t willing to accept that. Parents, grandparents and community members stepped up to protect our daughters, nieces, sisters and granddaughters. In January, the Protect Girls Sports campaign gathered more than 78,000 signatures — enough to put this issue directly on the ballot.
The message was unmistakable: sports should be fair. You can compete with peers of the same biological sex, or you can choose a co-ed league. Fair is fair.
As a mother, grandmother and former state representative, I know what’s at stake. This isn’t about politics — it’s about safety, fairness and opportunity for the next generation. Girls should not have to wonder whether they’ll be forced to compete against boys or feel uncomfortable in bathrooms and locker rooms meant for women.
That’s why I’m grateful Sen. Susan Collins signed the Protect Girls Sports petition. She
understands what too many politicians refuse to acknowledge: girls deserve their own spaces, and their voices matter.
On this year’s Girls & Women in Sports Day, remember who stood up for Maine’s
daughters — and who put a radical agenda ahead of them.
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