Letters to the editor for and against the re-election of state Sen. Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island).

Chagrined to see Litzow endorsement

As a resident of the 41st District who has watched Sen. Steve Litzow stand on the sidelines while bills that would dramatically improve the lives of women across Washington state have failed due to lack of bipartisan support, I was chagrined to see your endorsement of Litzow for another term.

Litzow scores political points by saying that he shares the pro-choice, pro-woman values of his moderate district, but time after time has shown no commitment to passing legislation that would put those values into practice.

When the Reproductive Parity Act, which would have ensured equal access to the full range of reproductive health care options for women, was introduced in 2012 and again the following year, Litzow stood idly by and allowed it to fail under opposition from the ultra-conservative bloc of his party. When the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which would provide reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnant women, appeared to be gaining headway this year, Litzow did nothing to help it pass. Time and again, Litzow has watched pro-choice bills fail, even as he claims to be a rare pro-choice Republican.

Litzow gets away with making this claim because, he says, he keeps bad bills from passing. He takes credit for preventing bills like the sex-selective abortion ban, or the parental notification proposal that rears its head every year. But stopping bad things from happening isn’t enough. Women need a champion in Olympia who will work proactively to pass legislation that helps Washington women access reproductive health care and achieve economic equality. I’m disappointed that the Mercer Island Reporter didn’t endorse the woman who will make that happen for the 41st District, Lisa Wellman.

Susan Landon

Mercer Island

Steve Litzow gets my vote

Politics are complicated, yet we continue to break them down into soundbites and try to oversimplify complex issues. Good politicians understand that in order to find effective solutions, you must work with and listen to those who may have differing opinions and reach across the aisle to collaborate on programs and initiatives that benefit constituents, because understanding both sides of the issues creates a better product in the end.

Our Sen. Steve Litzow shares this conviction and works tirelessly so that everyone has a chance to succeed. Steve is a Republican who works with Democrats to do the right thing — for everyone in our state. That’s why Steve denounced Donald Trump and his divisive rhetoric. In 2012, Steve stood strong with the LGBT community for marriage equality. He’s fighting to ensure women earn equal pay for equal work. Steve is working for all students in our state. I’m proud to say Steve’s a forward-thinking leader, who reaches across the aisle to fight for progressive solutions.

Steve will get my vote in November.

Stacy Bjarnason

Mercer Island

Litzow’s campaign another case of misogyny?

In the mail I received a flyer promoting Republican Steve Litzow. The same day, an email came through from Tana Senn saying that her name and image were used to promote his reelection. Litzow never asked her permission before using her name and image in a campaign ad. That is against the rules. Is this another case of a man just taking what he wants from a woman without consent? Just to be clear, Rep. Tana Senn supports Lisa Wellman. She will be the leader we need for education.

Judy Schocken

Mercer Island

Litzow’s false campaign materials

It has been brought to my attention that Sen. Steve Litzow, who is running for re-election, is putting out campaign materials that are totally false. He claims he has worked on committees that he has not and with other representatives that he has not. He is totally misrepresenting what he is doing in Olympia. If true, this certainly deserves the Reporter‘s attention, certainly because you endorsed him.

Ann Faires

Mercer Island