Yakima County republicans support the reelection of pro-equality legislator

[ccharles000]

State Rep. Norm Johnson (R-14th) was one of the 93 (of 147) Washington state legislators who voted last Spring for the 2009 domestic partnership expansion law (SB 5688). SB 5688 made Washington state registered domestic partnerships parallel with civil marriage, and was ratified by over 53% of voters on November 3rd via Referendum 71.

Johnson's vote was a most basic expression of family values; he has two gay sons and has personal relationships with gay people in his district. "I feel I voted the right way, because to me it was pure and simple a vote of equality." Similarly, Senator Curtis King (R-14th) stated that his support for full domestic partnerships stems from his appreciation of gay couples in his district.

Johnson's vote for SB 5688 has drawn the ire of local business owner Michele Strobel. Addressing the crowd at the One Nation Under God Tea Party* in Yakima last month, Strobel said "I really believe that I am called. And I am seriously considering running for office...This isn't the country I knew when I was young. This isn't the country my grandparents fought for." Johnson is up for re-election in November, 2010.

Strobel's company website quotes her as saying, "Being the person, who likes to give and do things I thought, you know what? I have a huge opportunity to use the talents and gifts I have to help others."

Although over 53% of voters statewide approved R-71, Yakima County voted to reject it 65% to 35%. The vote result for Johnson's district has yet to be released, but it seems likely that Strobel is largely in sync with the district's majority on this issue. The question is, would voters support her candidacy based on her opinion on that issue alone? According to the actions of the state Republican party and the statements of local Republican office holders themselves, the answer is "unlikely".

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/14095/yakima-county-republicans-support-the-reelection-of-proequality-legislator

[Selatius]

1. Let her run. I want to see if her Republican god has a lesson in humility ready for her. nt

[laconicsax]

2. I was in Yakima recently.

Something that struck me as odd was that the county coroner was running for re-election as a Republican. Aren't positions like that typically non-partisan?

[C_Lawyer09]

3. Yakima the self proclaimed Palm Springs of Eastern WA

On a huge billboard, My step dad wondered aloud, "I wonder if there is a billboard in Palm Springs that bills the city as the Yakima of Southern California." I just left WA and can't remember whether the election signs stated party or not in Western WA.

[laconicsax]

4. Not just of eastern WA, but the whole state.

It's also the 8th most obese city in the US. http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/10/15/lose-some-weight-and-make-yakima-proud

[Touchdown]

5. What Business does this trog own?

My Mom and Sister live in Yakima. I want to tell them to not shop at her dump.

It's enough that they live in Yakima, which is also a dump.

[Bonn1997]

6. Good for him! That elevates him above many Dems in my view!