We Need Strong Women

Dear Editor,
    In Amy Smith's summary of the Travis County judge election, she misses the point of the election by focusing on the party line of the big boys [“Then There's This: It's Our Turn Now,” News, March 7]. How dare the Chronicle declare that Eckhardt mend fences, when the Democratic powers that be ran someone against the most qualified candidate because she wouldn't toe the line? We need strong women like Sarah. Women voters will never be returning to business as usual in Texas, and we won't be making sacrifices for the sake of "Democratic unity."
    We realize that Andy Brown is a party operative who was hand-picked by the big boys to run against Sarah when she wouldn't fully play their game with Central Health, Seton, and UT. We know that the arrangement with the Catholic-sponsored Seton is bad for Travis County women. To have a teaching hospital that won't treat miscarrying women is disgraceful.
    We also know that there was not one referendum from the Democratic party on the ballot to protect women's reproductive health care. The Democratic party has yet to prove to us that they will stand with us no matter what.
    That's why our loyalty goes with women candidates, because we've lost too much, and we're playing for keeps now. So far, David Alameel is the only male Democratic candidate who is standing staunchly pro-choice.
    The women of Texas will be protected – we will never stop fighting until they are. The party should see Sarah's victory as a strong message: Show us you stand with us. Women's health care must take priority now.