The governors race in California is heating up as multiple candidates from both parties vie to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in January 2027.Transgender rights figure prominently in a campaign colored by Newsoms own evolving position on the issue. Related Gavin Newsom: Im not transphobic, my godson is trans & I signed pro-trans bills The term-limited governor and all-but-declared candidate for president in 2028 is charting a serpentine course around the demands of trans rights activists and those voters who are open to a populist Democratic message but alienated by a woke culture weaponized against the left by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans.Newsom shocked many supporters when he agreed earlier this year with Charlie Kirk, a guest on Newsoms podcast (months before the young MAGA conservative influencer was killed), that trans student-athletes competing against girls was deeply unfair.I think its an issue of fairness, Newsom replied. I completely agree with you on that. Its deeply unfair. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The governor has signed a number bills shoring up LGBTQ+ and trans rights since, including an expansion of San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wieners (D)State of Refuge law for trans people. His signature on theYouth Sports for All Actdirects a commission to improve access to sports for all groups regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, income, or geographic location.Current California law requirespublic schools to allow students to participate in sex-segregated sports teams and use facilities based on their gender identity. But Newsom still maintains that trans girls participating in school sports is problematic.Theres some nuance here, Newsom said in October when asked about his past statements. I dont roll people under the bus, quite the contrary. But when it comes to sports, thats impacting other peoples rights.The governor claimed that there are many others who have a similar point of view, but dont say it publicly.Who among Newsoms possible successors takes his lead on that issue or rejects it will be a central question throughout the campaign.Heres a round-up of 13 declared candidates public statements so far on trans student-athletes in sports, many of which were shared with CBS News California affiliates. Eric Swalwell (D), 45, former U.S. representativeU.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell speaking with attendees at the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. | Gage SkidmoreSwalwell is staunchly opposed to banning trans student-athletes from school sports, denouncing Republicans for using the issue for political gain and voting to invade kids locker rooms to conduct genitalia checks. Tom Steyer (D), 68, former presidential candidateTom Steyer | ShutterstockThe billionaire hedge fund manager from San Francisco dropped over $300 million on a failed bid for president in 2020. Steyer says he supports current California law allowing trans student-athletes to participate in school sports. Steve Hilton (R), 56, British political commentator and Fox News contributorHilton argues trans girls in school sports is not fair. Its not fair for girls whove worked so hard. As governor, he said hell overturn current California law allowing trans student-athletes to play. Chad Bianco (R), 58, Riverside County SheriffBoys should not be competing against girls, Bianco said of trans student-athletes in school sports.There will never be an 18-year-old boy walking through a 14-year-old girls locker room naked if hes elected governor, the MAGA sheriff vowed. Leo Zacky (R), 34, Zacky Farms scion, 2022 gubernatorial candidate Youre born a boy, youre born a girl. Thats it, Zacky said. Boys play with boys, girls play with girls.Steve Cloobeck (R), 64, Timeshare magnateI dont know of any way possibly to mutate those or change that, Cloobeck said of male and female chromosomes. I think Im going to sit with science. Ian Calderone (D), 40, former California Assembly memberCalderon aligned with Newsom on trans girls playing on girls teams. I dont support it, he said.But these are also kids, he added. We really have to be compassionate and careful about how we talk about this and not demonizing them and making them feel like theyre not wanted, making them feel like they dont matter, because they do matter. Butch Ware (Green), 51, 2024 vice presidential nominee for the Green Party and one-half of the hip-hop duo Slum ProphecyWare punted on the issue.The governing bodies of sports should make those decisions, he said. Why would I, as the governor, be involved in a conversation about who gets to play which sport? There are people whose job that is. Katie Porter (D), 51, former U.S. representativeRepresentative Katie Porter | ScreenshotPorter said shes supportive of current state law but believes trans student-athletes participation in school sports isnt the province of state government.These are rules that can and should be set by the governing bodies, and so in the case of California school sports, the California Interscholastic Federation should be making this decision at every level of sports competition, she said. Xavier Becerra (D), 67, former California Attorney General and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in the Biden administrationXavier Becerra | Gage SkidmoreBecerra agreed with Ware and Porter, saying sports governing bodies should decide. Theres nothing in the Constitution that says that you are entitled to play a sport, he added. Tony Thurmond (D), 57, California Superintendent of Public InstructionThurmond strongly defends current California law allowing trans student-athletes to play. We are a state that can accept diversity, and we will make sure that we follow the law and protect the rights of transgender athletes to participate and to be able to do so safely, he said. Antonio Villaraigosa (D), 72, former Speaker of the California State Assembly and Los Angeles mayorVillaraigosa also fell into Newsoms camp.Men who have gone through puberty and are now transgender women, should they play other women? No, I dont believe they should, he said.But, Villaraigosa said, I will never support discrimination in any way. I believe in gender-affirming care, but I dont believe those athletes should be playing women. Betty Yee (D), 68, former California State ControllerYee took a wait-and-see approach, suggesting there could be compromises addressing trans student-athletes, like developing a separate league.To the extent that were still trying to really understand what this means for everyone in athletics, I would say just I want to learn more about whats possible, but I also dont want to have opportunities cut off for anybody, she said.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.