Two transgender women running for the Alabama Legislature are pushing back after the state’s Republican Party chairman publicly described them as mentally ill, prompting accusations that GOP leaders are more interested in attacking transgender identities than addressing the concerns of Alabama voters.
During an October 8 gathering of the Eastern Shore Republican Women in Fairhope, Alabama Republican Party Chairman and State Representative Scott Stadthagen targeted Democratic candidates Terri Osborne and Allison Montgomery.
“We’ve got two men who have mental disorders who like to dress like women, who think they are females on the ballot this general election,” Stadthagen told attendees.
The comments targeted Osborne, a geologist challenging Republican Danielle Duggar in House District 96, and Montgomery, a software engineer running against Republican incumbent Phillip Rigsby in District 25.
Candidates Reject Attacks and Demand Answers
Osborne rejected Stadthagen’s characterization, pointing out that the American Psychiatric Association does not classify being transgender as a mental illness.
“The American Psychiatric Association has made that distinction clear. I have letters from mental health professionals stating that I am of sound mind. Does he?” Osborne told AL.com.
Duggar subsequently joined the criticism, repeatedly misgendering Osborne and suggesting that her election would promote gender-related ideology in schools.
Osborne challenged her opponent to identify any actual campaign proposal supporting those allegations.
Rather than debating her identity, Osborne argued that Republican leaders should explain their positions on rising grocery prices, housing costs, insurance premiums, public education, and Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid.
Montgomery delivered a similarly pointed response, describing Stadthagen’s remarks as prejudice rather than legitimate political criticism.
“They brought up my womanhood because they have failed at governing,” Montgomery said.
She questioned whether her transition had anything to do with rising utility bills, expensive groceries, or medical debt, arguing that Republican officials were deliberately redirecting attention away from their governing record.
Republican Attacks Draw Broader Criticism
The controversy comes as Alabama Republicans continue advancing policies restricting transgender rights, including limitations involving bathrooms, school athletics, and gender-affirming medical care.
Alabama Democrats have rallied behind both candidates, accusing Republican leadership of substituting personal attacks for substantive debate.
The candidates also questioned the party’s response to the arrest of Republican State Representative Brett Easterbrook, who faces an attempted human trafficking charge involving an undercover operation. The allegations remain criminal charges, not convictions.
With November’s elections approaching, Osborne and Montgomery are attempting to shift the conversation back to issues affecting Alabama families.
Their message is straightforward: voters deserve answers about their daily lives, not political speeches questioning whether transgender women deserve to participate in democracy.
