Democrat gubernatorial candidates' records for supporting trans athletes in women's sports coming into focus

Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears joins 'The Faulkner Focus' to discuss her recent gains against Democratic opponent Abigail Spanberger and her position on the transgender debate as gender identity becomes a key issue. 

The New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections each feature Democratic candidates with a congressional record of supporting trans athletes in women's sports. 

Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia have come under scrutiny in recent days for their stances on the subject. 

Spanberger was the subject of a recent viral interview with ABC13 when she was asked about trans people playing women's and girls' sports and using women's bathrooms. The Democratic candidate did not take a concrete stance.

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"So in Virginia, until very recently, we have had a process in place where on an individual, one by one basis, schools, principals, parents, coaches were making decisions based on fairness, competitiveness and safety, where a child might be able or might not be able to play in a particular sport," Spanberger said. 

When asked if she would support a bill that allows trans people in female bathrooms and sports, Spanberger said, "I would support a bill that would put clear provisions in place that provide a lot of local ability for input, based on the age of children, based on the type of sport, based on competitiveness. Because certainly I recognize, I absolutely recognize.

"I recognize the concern that families and community members might have about the safety of their own kids, about competitiveness, about fairness. And I think the process that was in place for 10 years was one that was working. It was one that took