Similar name creates election confusion

Can you believe that in an area as small as Bonner County there are two women named Barbara Buchanan? Actually she is known as Barbee and my nickname is Babs. Usually I am happy when people think we are the same person as Barbee Buchanan is very talented and community involved. I recently got a kudos card from my insurance agent when she was featured in the Bee for her work with Kinderhaven and CASA. We go to the same eye doctor, dry cleaner and florist and sometimes get each other’s bills, dry cleaning and appointment reminders.

The difficulty in our having the same name arises when it comes to politics and political endorsements. I am a magistrate judge for the state of Idaho with my chambers in Sandpoint. Judges are prohibited under the Idaho Judicial Code from engaging in political activity. I cannot publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for public office nor can I endorse or seek the endorsement of any political party. The other Barbara Buchanan as a private citizen is free to do so.

I am writing today to make it clear that I did not, cannot and will not endorse any candidate for public office.

BARBARA BUCHANAN

Sandpoint

Magistrate judge