Florida candidate supports free medical services for trans children

A Democratic candidate for Congress in Florida is facing criticism for previous social media posts advocating for transgender children to receive free medical services. Josh Weil, running in the special election for Florida's 6th district, made these comments in March 2021. He stated that “Banning health care for any human being is a violation of human rights” and expressed support for Medicare for All to ensure safe access for transgender youth. Weil's statements have drawn backlash from some critics, who label his views as "radical gender ideology." Other posts show him opposing a bill in Iowa that would require teachers to notify parents before discussing students' preferred pronouns. He claimed that such legislation would harm transgender youth and drive teachers away from the profession. The campaign for Weil has not responded to media inquiries. Critics from the Republican side, including NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole, argue that Democrats are backing a candidate with unpopular views. They believe this strategy is ineffective and risky. Weil, a public school teacher from Orlando, is running against Republican State Senator Randy Fine. The election is set for April 1, with early voting already underway.