Letter: Monica Vernon will represent entire district

Someone needs to tell Pat Murphy that ideological purity is a mug's game only Republicans play. Let them squabble about whose background is sufficiently authentic; Democrats address issues and the best ways to resolve the problems Americans face.

Monica Vernon believes in the dignity of labor, the worth of individuals and the importance of providing for all Americans. She proved that during the flood recovery and eight years on the Cedar Rapids City Council. Apart from believing he's been a Democrat longer than Vernon, it's hard to tell what Murphy believes in.

Here's what I believe: I believe that Rod Blum doesn't represent the 1st District of Iowa. I believe the campaign his cronies ran in 2014 will be replayed if Murphy is the Democratic nominee and that Blum will win again. I believe that Vernon can defeat Blum and can represent the entire 1st District. I believe a person's accomplishments for her constituents are more important than the longevity of her ideological purity.

I cast my first vote in 1970. I didn't vote for a Democrat for president until 1992. I didn't vote for a Democrat for Congress until 1998. Am I sufficiently authentic for Murphy? Judging by what he says about Vernon, I doubt it.

What a person does is more important than what someone else says about them. I'll let the Republicans and Murphy worry about ideological purity. On June 7 I'm voting for coalition-building, representation of the entire 1st District and Vernon.

Thomas Lackner

Cedar Rapids