Convention declines to condemn Rep. Glusenkamp Perez over HR 2616 vote

Delegates considered a resolution condemning Representative Marie Glusenkamp Perez for her vote on HR 2616, commonly referred to by some speakers as the "don't say trans" bill. The floor drew strongly worded testimony and sharp divisions over strategy and principle.

A virtual speaker, identified in the agenda as Guinevere Dinsmore, argued that the bill would "force teachers to dead name trans children" and described the vote as morally catastrophic. Alicia Ramirez urged delegates to "stand up for the rights of the most vulnerable among us" and voted in favor of the condemnation. Others, including Terry Niles and John Latta, warned that formally condemning a vulnerable Democrat in a swing district could hurt the party's chances to hold the seat: Niles said the resolution "does not strengthen our party" and could provide "ammunition to Republicans" in CD-3. The resolutions committee recommended do not pass; delegates upheld that recommendation in the ballot.

Speakers on both sides framed the measure as both a moral and strategic decision. The convention did not adopt the condemnation, leaving the matter to potential follow-up by the author or by party leaders.