Alabama Republican Party Chair Scott Stadthagen used a party event to insult two women running for the Alabama House of Representatives. Speaking to the Eastern Shore Republican Women, he described transgender candidates Terri Osborne and Allison Montgomery as “two men who have mental disorders who like to dress like women,” according to AL.com.

Stadthagen should publicly retract those words, apologize to both candidates, and commit the Alabama Republican Party to a campaign about the issues Alabama families face.

Osborne is a geologist seeking the House District 96 seat in Baldwin County. Montgomery is a software engineer seeking the House District 25 seat in Madison County, one of the more competitive races on the ballot this fall. Both stepped up to serve their neighbors. Neither deserves to be mocked by the leader of a state party for who they are.

Montgomery responded in a Facebook post, calling the comments “just plain prejudice.” She also pointed to what voters actually worry about: gas prices, utility bills, groceries, medical debt and rising rent. Those are the questions every candidate in Alabama, Republican or Democrat, should be answering.

Using “mental disorder” as a political insult also hurts Alabamians who live with mental health conditions, and it does nothing to lower a single bill.

In Alabama, voters decide who is fit to serve, not party chairs. Every candidate on the ballot deserves to be judged on their ideas and record, with basic respect.

Sign the petition to tell Scott Stadthagen to apologize and keep this election focused on the issues before Alabamians vote on November 3.