California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a PBS podcast interview released Tuesday that years of effort have not produced an equitable policy for transgender athletes in sports.

He recounted collaboration with the state legislature after high-profile track meets in California produced dissatisfaction on all sides, including an instance in which a transgender competitor and the athlete who lost a spot both sat out the finals. An attempt last year to give medals to both also generated unhappiness.

Newsom described the matter as a Republican focus that receives attention far beyond the number of people involved, and he said Democrats should concentrate on economic issues rather than that subject.