Hung Cao, the Republican Senate nominee in Virginia, criticized drag queens and those who are tolerant of them, suggesting that they are not tough enough to serve in the military. During a televised debate against Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, Cao made comments linking the White House’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to military recruitment issues, specifically citing a program that included a drag performer as part of Navy recruitment efforts. He emphasized the need for “alpha males” and “alpha females” in the military, claiming they are the ones who will win wars, not drag queens.
Cao, a retired Navy captain with special operations experience, reiterated his stance in a statement, stating that his comments reflect what “everyone believes as fact.” Meanwhile, Kaine argued that the military should reach out to new populations and highlight the benefits of military service, dismissing DEI as a distraction.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Cao in the Senate GOP primary, and the Cook Political Report considers the Virginia Senate seat to be “solid” Democrat. Despite facing strong competition from Kaine, Cao continues to campaign with a focus on military recruitment and traditional values, appealing to conservative supporters.
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