Vote women for the Board of Supervisors

Oct 21, 2022
Oct 21, 2022 Updated Apr 13, 2025
6

Editor,

The prospect of a Board of Supervisors consisting entirely of straight white men in 2022 is beyond disturbing.

(6) comments

JRigoni Oct 21, 2022 6:08pm

Marit, thank you for articulating what is the content of conversations with all my women friends regarding this election in particular. I believe it remains largely unspoken in wider arenas. But believe me, we're talking about it. And those who dismiss this very real concern might be surprised by the election outcome. The prospect of an all-white male board would be devastating to many. Who vote.

Like Barb, I vote for the candidate who best aligns with my values and priorities. AND I vote for women when that is the case because as Barb says, we need more women in leadership roles. How are they going to get there if they run and we don't elect them?

Ray asks, "Does a candidate have to be a specific gender to understand those challenges?" Well, when it comes to the challenges of our lived realities—discrimination, pay equity, body autonomy, reproductive rights, physical safety, I could go on—yes. Sorry. There are just some things you won't truly understand until you live them. There are just some things you won't advocate as hard for until it's your life that's affected. In cases like this, instead of disagreeing with the premise, another option might be to listen and reflect.

Ray Fowler Oct 21, 2022 7:59pm

Hello, Jacki

Thank you for some thoughtful commentary. Noelia and Laura are well qualified and each has a string of impressive endorsements... and we could say the same thing about Charles and Ray. Your position that Noelia and Laura would better serve your interests re: discrimination, pay equity, body autonomy, reproductive rights, and physical safety is a reasonable one for you. I would ask what would you point to in their opponents' history as an indicator that Charles and Ray are unqualified to serve those same interests?

BTW... I liked your post that followed Alison Proctor's LTE earlier this month. Alison's letter was the best candidate endorsement I have seen in the DJ during this election season.

Barb Valley Oct 21, 2022 2:25pm

Marit,

While I agree we need more women in leadership roles, I do not base my vote on the gender or orientation of the candidate, rather, I vote for the candidate who best aligns with my values and priorities.

Ray Fowler Oct 21, 2022 11:45am

Good morning, Marit

Thanks for submitting your LTE. I understand your position; I disagree with the premise.

About a year ago. I responded to a column advancing the idea that women and persons of color were better suited to represent folks in our county because... well, because of their gender and/or ethnicity. I wrote that achievement and experience could help a candidate understand “the challenges facing persons in our county who may be under resourced. However, “does a candidate have to be a specific gender to understand those challenges?” Then I added, “Diversity and equity can be good things until they overwhelm the election process and fixing perceived imbalances becomes the driving force in getting a specific candidate elected. Opposing such a candidate does not mean someone also opposes diversity and equity… it just might mean they believe a different candidate is better equipped for service in public office.”

Rudy E Oct 21, 2022 7:33pm

Ooo, not at all - I wrote about the experienced and talented women that continue to be overlooked. AND, their gender also brings important perspective and life experience missing in county politics. Women should always be at the table when decisions are being made. Diversity is a strength and if a table lacks it, it’s not as strong as it could be.

Ray Fowler Oct 21, 2022 9:59pm

Hello, Rudy... good to see you in the DJ.

Yes, you wrote about women who are good candidates... largely from the perspective that they were underrepresented in our county and that underrepresentation alone makes them better candidates than male office seekers.

I responded to Jacki’s post saying Noelia and Laura are both well qualified… and we could say the same thing about Charles and Ray. What is there in Charles and Ray’s past record that makes them less qualified than Noelia and Laura to serve the interests of all persons in our county with respect to issues like discrimination, pay equity, body autonomy, reproductive rights, and physical safety?

I remember your passionate advocacy for Emily Beach. As you recall, there was praise for her from both sides of the political aisle. In the end, more voters supported someone else… it appears they cast ballots in favor of the candidate they thought best qualified… they were not voting against Emily because she is a woman. However, we saw the opposite outcome in another race. Do you think voters selected Christina Corpus to serve as our next sheriff based on her qualifications or did they select her because she is a woman?

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