Issue Position: Defend Women's Rights

Issue Position

My first elected position was on the Wichita City Council. At that time, the anti-choice movement was extremely active in Wichita. Then, and still today, I voted to defend a woman's right to make personal healthcare decisions. I have never wavered on this position, even when faced with pressure.

There's no doubt women's reproductive rights are under attack in Kansas. Two months ago, Gov. Jeff Colyer called for a constitutional amendment that would permanently restrict reproductive rights in Kansas. In 2016, Sam Brownback tried to prevent Medicaid funds from being used for women's health, including breast exams and birth control provided by Planned Parenthood.

After the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state government couldn't arbitrarily block Medicaid funds from going to Planned Parenthood, Colyer announced a plan to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Kris Kobach (one of the leading Republican candidates for governor) constantly expresses his fervent opposition to choice and women's healthcare in Kansas. Just take a look at what The Wichita Eagle reported about a Kobach event in 2015: "He compares Planned Parenthood to the infamous Nazi doctor Josef Mengele and blasts President Obama for opposing congressional Republicans' efforts to defund it."

The women of Kansas have had enough of politicians who treat them like second-class citizens. My record proves that I won't stand in the way of a woman's right to decide, with her doctor and family, what is in her best interest.

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