Stefany Shaheen’s “case-by-case” answer fails girls’ sports
In the final debate before Tuesday’s election, Shaheen rejected a federal rule and left girls’ sports to case-by-case local decisions.
Stefany Shaheen’s “case-by-case” answer on girls’ sports is a yes to letting local officials decide when boys may compete against girls, and New Hampshire voters get a clear choice on Tuesday. WMUR hosted the final debate in Manchester on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. Anchor Christa Delcamp asked whether the candidates agreed with the Supreme Court ruling in June allowing states to ban transgender athletes from female interscholastic sports and whether Congress should intervene through Title IX. Shaheen said, “I… believe that these decisions need to be made on a case-by-case basis with the coaches, the superintendents, and teams that are impacted by trans athletes,” and added, “I don’t believe we need a federal law here.,” and said she did not believe a federal law was needed. Shaheen added, “I think these decisions can be made at a local level, and they need to be.”
Joe Sweeney wrote on X on Oct. 31, 2026: “Asked for a yes or no, again and again, she would not give one.”1 DiLorenzo said he did “not support biological men in women's spaces or playing sports,” preferred state action, and would support federal legislation if states and local communities failed to act. He asked, “Do you support men in women's sports, yes or no?” Shaheen replied, “I have made my position very clear.” In an earlier NH Journal interview, she said, “It depends on the situation. It depends on the sport. It depends on the athlete. And I think we need to make these on a case-by-case basis,”2 and said decisions “should be made by the athletic directors, the coaches, the parents, and the players.” Shaheen’s earlier NH Journal interview also records her experience coaching girls: “The greatest experience of my parenting was being able to coach my daughter’s high school volleyball team here in Portsmouth.” He concluded: “Girls' sports should be for girls. Vote Anthony DiLorenzo.”
“I think it’s critically important that we ensure fairness and safety through sports”
She hands girls’ rules to administrators
WMUR reports that Shaheen wants no federal law on the issue, which she says should be handled case by case3. Under that approach, whether a boy can take a spot on a girls’ team depends on the people in charge of that team.
On Jack Heath’s radio show, Shaheen named athletic directors, coaches, parents and players among the people who should decide2. A family should not have to learn the rule from whichever team or administrator is deciding this season.
Her case-by-case answer predates the debate
After announcing her candidacy, Shaheen returned to Jack Heath’s radio show, where he asked her again about protecting girls’ sports.”
She also said, “Every sport is different. The age of the athletes competing is different. The individual experiences of the athletes are different.”2 Each reason she lists is a reason to leave girls without a single standard.
Fairness needs a rule, not discretion
Shaheen’s strongest point is fairness, and she made it on the radio: “I think it’s critically important that we ensure fairness and safety through sports.”2 Fairness and safety need a rule a team can read before the season starts, not a judgment made case by case after the fact.
DiLorenzo’s state-first alternative is already clear. Shaheen offered discretion; DiLorenzo offered state action with a federal backstop.
New Hampshire voters can protect girls
Shaheen wants local decisions; DiLorenzo wants state action backed by federal law if states fail. Sweeney’s post urged voters to vote for DiLorenzo1.
Voters should ask every candidate the question Shaheen would not answer yes or no, and back the one who will. Girls’ sports need one rule, not a case-by-case.
Sources
- @JoeSweeneyNH on X, 2026-10-31: Simple question on WMUR: should boys play in girls' sports? Stefany Shaheen: "case-by-case." Asked for a yes or no, again and again, she would not give one. Girls' sports should be for girls. Vote Anthony DiLorenzo. https://x.com/JoeSweeneyNH/status/21166212, 2026-10-31
- In Their Own Words: Stefany Shaheen on Whether She Supports Allowing Males to Compete in Girls' Sports - NH Journal
- 2026 NH race: Anthony DiLorenzo, Stefany Shaheen debate - WMUR
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