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CD2 Candidate Thomas Becomes Latest To Push Back Against Transgender Bathroom Directive

North Florida Congressional Candidate Mary Thomas has joined a growing number of conservative voices opposing a federal directive on public school bathrooms.

Thomas has released a radio ad criticizing the federal government for its stance on allowing transgender students to use the bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity.

“I’m not just a conservative. I’m a Christian and a mom. Obama is forcing his left-wing, social engineering  agenda into our public schools, and playing politics with our school funding. It’s outrageous," Thomas says in the ad.

Fellow Republican CD 2 candidate Ken Sukhia wrote a letter Monday to Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Education urging them to reject the directive.

Wednesday Florida state Representative Janet Atkins asked Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to issue an opinion on whether a guidance letter President Barack Obama sent to school districts on bathroom use is constitutional. Bondi has declined.

The letter advises schools comply or risk losing federal funding. Atkins is running for school superintendent in Nassau county. Some school districts are complying while others are pushing back with lawsuits.

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. 

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