NARAL press release on Susan Hutchinson

[eridani]

http://www.prochoicewashington.org/assets/files/susanhutchison.pdf

811 1st Ave. #456
Seattle, WA 98104
[phone]
www.ProChoiceWashington.org

ANTI-CHOICE: GET THE FACTS ON SUSAN HUTCHISON

Susan Hutchison: Conservative Candidate for King County Executive

You may be familiar with Susan Hutchison from her many years as a KIRO broadcaster.

What you may not know is that Hutchison is a staunch conservative whose views are far to the right of the voters of King County.

Anti-Choice Conservative Credentials:

Hutchison is a former board member of the Discovery Institute, which contests evolution and promotes so-called “intelligent design,” a re-branding of creationism. Her political giving has been exclusively to anti-choice Republicans, including George W. Bush, Dino Rossi, Mike Huckabee, and Dave Reichert.

Her campaign manager worked on anti-choice Sen. Sam Brownback’s failed 2008 presidential bid, and then moved on to work for Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign. Hutchison has received high marks from the Reagan Wing, “an ultra-right faction of the GOP.” (seattlepi.com, 6/4/2009)

Hutchison’s Statement to NARAL Pro-Choice Washington:

Instead of a completing NARAL’s candidate questionnaire, Hutchison sent a statement including this comment:

“The issues surrounding abortion are not relevant to the King County executive race.”

King County Executive and Reproductive Health Care:

Despite Hutchison’s misguided opinions, the King County executive plays a critical role women’s health care, particularly for low-income women.

Funding for family planning care: King County operates 9 family planning service centers that provide contraception; STD testing; breast and cervical cancer screenings; pregnancy, adoption and abortion counseling; and maternity and prenatal care for the county’s most marginalized women and teens.

Support for school-based health centers: Through a partnership with the City of Seattle and other entities, King County runs 14 school-based and school-linked health centers, which are comprehensive primary care clinics providing medical and mental health screening and treatment for young people.

Comprehensive sexual health education curriculum: King County family planning health educators provide training and resources for teachers on a wide rage of sexual health topics, including sexuality, family planning and birth control. The county also provides a comprehensive sex education curriculum free of charge.

Leadership on access to local clinics: With the rise in violent anti-choice extremism at women’s health care clinics, it is critical that law enforcement at all levels work to keep women and doctors safe. The King County executive can take a leadership role together with the Sheriff’s Office to make sure our laws are enforced to help ensure clinic safety.

Even if you don’t live in King County, this race has important implications for the future of access to reproductive health care in our state.

Half of all King County executives have been elected governor, or went to a high level post in a presidential administration, or both.

For the sake of the women and families of King County, and the future of the right to choose in Washington state, please spread the word about the real Susan Hutchison.