WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Co-Chairman Jan Larimer released the following statement today in response to Senator Patrick Leahy’s (D-Vt.) offensive comments regarding gender:

“Senator Leahy’s accusations of gender bias on the part of Republicans are outrageous, offensive and outdated. It is startling that he would insinuate that a candidate for our nation’s highest court should not be held to the highest level of scrutiny simply because of her gender. As a member of the Senate’s rapidly-shrinking Old Boys club, you have to wonder if he has also missed the record number of Republican women running for elected office this fall on issues that speak to small business owners, job-creators and entrepreneurs of both genders. Senator Leahy should apologize for failing to understand that women today don’t need throwbacks like he is to protect them. Women today are doing just fine out-performing those who insist on underestimating them.”