To the editor,

Regardless of political affiliation, I think we can all agree that political ads have become increasingly dramatic, exaggerated, and manipulative. These ads are designed to provoke strong emotions, trigger reactions, and sway opinions. Recently, I've noticed a series of TV commercials targeting Rep. Shannon Zimmerman, particularly on the sensitive issue of abortion.

These ads are crafted to instill fear, especially in women, by portraying Rep. Zimmerman as a threat. This tactic is not new; it's a strategy that has often been employed to win elections. The accuracy of these ads is questionable at best, but their goal is clear: to manipulate your emotions. Let me be clear—these ads are misleading and deceptive, aimed at scaring you into a specific viewpoint. Don’t believe me? Take a look at Assembly Bill 975. (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2023/related/proposals/ab975).

As someone who is pro-life, I value life at all stages, from the young to the elderly. Life is not something to be trivialized. While some frame this issue as a matter of women's healthcare, it's important to remember that another life is involved in this decision. This past January, I was initially frustrated to see Rep. Zimmerman sponsoring a bill (AB975) that addressed exceptions to this stance. I reached out to his office, and he personally called me back to discuss my concerns.

During our conversation, I found his position to be reasonable and balanced. He is pro-life and believes in the sanctity of life at all stages. However, he also recognizes that in the rare and difficult cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother's life, the issue is not black and white. He expressed a willingness to engage in this discussion and bring it before the people of Wisconsin.

While I may not agree with everything Rep. Zimmerman does, my personal experience with him on this topic contradicts the exaggerated and false claims made in his opponent's ads. If candidate Page cannot stand on her own platform and resorts to these kinds of tactics, I believe she will lose the trust of voters. We see through it.

To all politicians running this cycle, I urge you to focus on what you stand for rather than wasting our time with fabricated nonsense.

Kimberly West

River Falls