Johnson will honor women, all opinions

Years ago we exited from Shakespeare in the Park only to be forced to look at large posters of aborted fetuses.

The distress of that imposition still lingers in me, which I understand was the intent. Graphic exposures have been one the abortion abolition movement. The creator and host of the website AbolishAbortionID.com, Scott Herndon, was instrumental in writing the current anti-abortion law. He calls all abortion murder and intends to outlaw all abortion from fertilization on, including contraception.

As a naturopathic physician and mother, I am passionate for life. Familiar with Herndon’s community, I know of the strict patriarchal hierarchy based on fundamentalist Christian values that rules girls and women’s lives. Pushing these extreme views on all women is clearly restricting women’s freedom for self-determination, and has no place in somebody seeking election.

Having talked with Steve Johnson, I am reassured that he will not impose personal views onto all constituents. He has genuine listening skills and willingness to negotiate and compromise in legislature to address divergent views on issues of public interest, such as property taxes, education, and rural lifestyle preservation, rather than ideological viewpoints. He is adamant about making sure women’s lives are safe as well. I honor different, even extreme opinions, but cannot condone their imposition by elected officials on all constituents. I will vote for Johnson as a write-in candidate.

GABRIELLE DUEBENDORER

Sandpoint