The Arizona general election will be held on November 4, 2014, and early voting is already underway! Reproductive health care access has been under attack, both nationally and statewide, but Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona has endorsed candidates who have shown strong commitment to reproductive justice. To acquaint you with our endorsed candidates, we are running a series called “Meet Our Candidates.” Make your voice heard in 2014!
[E]ast of the Tucson metropolitan area, LD 14 comprises Cochise County (Sierra Vista, Douglas), Greenlee County, Graham County (excluding the tribal reservation), and the far eastside of Pima County (Rosemont area, Corona, Vail, Rita Ranch, and the surrounding mountains of East Tucson). Here, James Burton is running for a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives, where he is facing incumbents David Gowan and David Stevens.
David Gowan is the current majority leader in Arizona’s House of Representatives. He is running on a platform that includes “limiting government and promoting individual responsibility,” yet he voted in favor of SB 1062, which, through the government, would have allowed businesses to discriminate against individuals on the basis of religious beliefs. He also voted in favor of HB 2284, which authorizes the government to perform unannounced inspections of abortion facilities without a warrant, which makes it that much harder for individuals to obtain a medical service that is protected under the U.S. Constitution. Burton’s other opponent, David Stevens, voted in favor of SB 1062 and HB 2284 as well.
Both Gowan and Stevens also support the government prohibiting an individual’s constitutional right to obtain an abortion; and oppose comprehensive sex education, which would serve to educate an individual on how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and prevent unintended pregnancies. Further, both oppose adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in an anti-discrimination law that would serve to protect the individual. Lastly, both oppose unmarried domestic partners receiving the same employee and health benefits as married couples — discriminating against people who make the personal choice to remain unmarried.
Burton, running on a platform of inclusiveness — including listening to the people of LD 14 — was the only one out of the three candidates who attended the district’s debate. Answering a series of moderator-provided questions, Burton stated “the voices of the district need to be heard.” Burton is the only LD 14 House candidate running on a platform of inclusiveness, and we recommend Mr. Burton for a single-shot vote.
Mr. Burton was kind enough to speak with us on October 15, 2014.
“The government should not interfere in anyone’s health care choices. Period.”
Tell us a little about yourself.
When I finished high school in 1968, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy. I served four years with service in Vietnam and as a hospital corpsman with the Marine Corps minefield team at Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba. When I was in high school, I began insulating pipes, boilers, and air conditioning systems with my father, at his insistence. Thanks, Dad. After my honorable discharge, I returned to that trade. After a short time I left the Midwest for the environs of Arizona. Arriving in Phoenix on St. Patrick’s Day, 1973. Continue reading
