Endorsement: Grant for House Dist. 47

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

The race for the 47th state House District seat pits two-term Rep. Amy Grant, a Wheaton Republican, against a political newcomer, Democrat Jackie Williamson, who also is from Wheaton.

Grant was unopposed in the GOP primary.

Williamson, a benefits specialist, decided to run after the June Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and was slated by the Democrats to challenge Grant in the district that covers all or parts of Bartlett, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Naperville, Warrenville, Wheaton and Winfield.

In an endorsement interview, Williamson took Grant to task for proposing a repeal of the law allowing accredited pharmacists to dispense emergency contraceptives without prescriptions and requiring insurance companies to cover them.

Grant says her main opposition to the law was not about reproductive rights, but over potential medical complications with hormone-based contraceptives that aren't prescribed by a doctor and whether girls could obtain them without their parents' knowledge or, worse, while being sexually exploited.

We're troubled that Grant twice has proposed a measure that includes canceling the voter registration of anyone who hasn't cast a ballot in two consecutive general federal elections. She stated in her Daily Herald candidate questionnaire that "voter access has gotten to the point where no one should complain that they didn't have the opportunity to vote."

In contrast, Williamson would make it more convenient to vote by replicating DuPage County's vote-in-any-precinct initiative in the rest of the state.

While we agree with Williamson on several issues and are disappointed with some of Grant's stances, a state House seat is a big step for someone with no political experience. We encourage Williamson to seek elected office in Wheaton or on the DuPage County level. Grant is endorsed in this election.