Salem Dems are reportedly working to search out a Moulton challenger

policy

Democrats in Salem are preparing to search out a challenger willing to tackle Rep. Seth Moulton because the congressman faces ongoing backlash over his comments about transgender athletes.

“Democrats spend far too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face,” Moulton said after the election. “I have two little girls, I don't want them to be run over on the field by a male or former male athlete, but as a Democrat I should be afraid to say that.”

Moulton stood by his comments even after some local experts did praised him For attempting to open dialogue on a controversial issue, he faces calls for his resignation and criticism from Massachusetts Democrats and LGBTQ groups.

That contrast continued Thursday when the Salem Democratic City Committee voted on a letter condemning Moulton's comments. About 20 members of the committee voted, just one was against and one abstained. reported.

Committee chairwoman Liz Bradt told the newspaper that the group was actively searching for individuals who could “run against him and win.” She has heard from “several” people concerned about joining Moulton, who has represented Massachusetts’ sixth District since 2015. He simply ran unopposed and secured one other two-year term.

The Salem Democratic City Committee didn’t reply to multiple requests for comment Thursday and Friday.

“I don’t give much credence to the words of someone who calls a fellow Democrat a Nazi collaborator,” a spokesman for Moulton said in response to Bradt’s comments.

Bradt told the newspaper she said in a personal email that Moulton “is what you know.”[n] as a 'collaborator' in National Socialism.”

Last weekend, protesters gathered outside Moulton's office. Those who’ve spoken out against him include Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, the Salem School Committee and even Gov. Maura Healey.

“A discussion about transgender athletes is a different discussion than someone who was a college athlete, right?” Healey said earlier this week. “But right now there are too many connections between things and what I see – and what I saw in this comment [from Moulton] – played politics with people. We shouldn't do that. We shouldn't do that. We should be having real conversations and not playing politics with people, especially young people and people who are vulnerable.”