When state Rep. Timothy Horrigan (D-Durham) dismissed high school girl’s track as an “obscure competition,” some Granite State women were ready to run him off the field.
“Rep. Tim Horrigan’s statements belittling women’s sports should be a rallying cry to all women to stand up to the crazy out-of-touch liberal Democrats who do not appreciate or celebrate the uniqueness of women,” said Kate Day, former Chair of the Cheshire County Republican Committee. “There is a biological reason we have women’s sports. Horrigan certainly dismisses any concern for women’s safety and the spirit of competition between women.”
Horrigan made his comments while testifying against SB 524, which would prohibit biological men from competing in women’s sports. During his testimony, Horrigan referred to women and girls as “so-called ‘biological females.’” He also referenced the case of Kearsarge Regional High School sophomore Maelle Jacques, a biological male who is on the girl’s track team. Jacques has dominated the high jump the last two seasons, competing against high school girls, and is expected to win big at an NHIAA meet this Sunday.
“We don’t even know if she’s actually trans,” Horrigan said of Jacques, “but if she is, that’s certainly a very unfair thing [to keep her from competing]. A lot of these cases, they are pretty obscure competitions that normally sports fans wouldn’t be paying much attention to.”
After NHJournal reported Horrigan’s comments, several women reached out to lambast the liberal legislator’s apparent misogyny.
“So, if it’s such a small percentage of the population, we shouldn’t care about and ignore their needs?” asked Pamela Tucker, former state GOP vice chair.
“Rep. Tim Horrigan’s statement sends the message that we shouldn’t care about our young females in certain sports. You can’t minimize a sport to fit your agenda,” said Nashua mom Kimberly Allan.
“As a mom, I have concerns about men participating in women’s sports. It is important to ensure fairness and a level playing field for all athletes. Men generally have physical advantages such as greater strength and size, which can create an unfair advantage in certain sports. Allowing men to compete in women’s sports could potentially hinder the opportunities and achievements of female athletes who have worked hard to excel in their respective fields.
“It’s crucial to prioritize the protection and advancement of women’s sports, providing female athletes with the recognition and opportunities they deserve.”
Asked about his comments, Horrigan gave NHJournal a “no comment.” However, he then turned to social media to show his solidarity with female athletes.
“Don’t believe anyone who doubts my support of women’s sports. I am at yet another UNH women’s basketball game,” Horrigan wrote.
State House Democrats overwhelmingly oppose measures to protect women’s sports from biological males who choose to compete as females, and they plan to fight SB 524. However, polls show Americans overwhelmingly oppose allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports, and that opposition is growing.
State GOP chair Chris Ager said women are tired of getting erased by progressive Democrats who dismiss them and their concerns.
“The NHGOP is disappointed that Rep. Horrigan has such low regard for women’s sports achievements. Republican women are speaking out,” Ager said.
If other Democrats were upset with Horrigan, they were keeping it to themselves. House Minority Leader Rep. Matt Wilhelm (D-Manchester) did not respond to a request for comment.
Unfortunately for Democrats, Horrigan has a history of making denigrating statements about women. In 2010, Horrigan was forced to apologize after he joked on Facebook about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin getting killed in a plane crash.
“I don’t wish Sarah Palin dead … but not merely for compassionate reasons. I also want her to live because a living Sarah Palin is less dangerous than a dead one. “A dead Palin is more dangerous than a live one,” he wrote.
Horrigan apologized to House leadership the following day and later announced the end of his reelection campaign.
“She is, as far as I know, not a bad person at all—and certainly she deserves to live a long and happy life,” Horrigan wrote to then-House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth.)
Horrigan then reneged on his resignation and was promptly re-elected in his deep-blue district.
