Women with strong opinions get pigeonholed and labeled unfairly. Add running for political office, and we’ve got a drama so intense it makes “House of Cards” look like “Sesame Street.”

But this isn’t D.C. It’s Waterville, Maine. It’s about Democratic primaries for two Maine State House seats: Cassie Julia vs. three-term Rep. Bruce White for House District 65, and Flavia DeBrito vs. new Watervillian Andrew Dent for House District 64.

When I mentioned writing about these primaries to a few friends, the response was telling. “Oh, you’re going to talk about the woman thing?” Intriguing… Have you ever heard anyone talk about men in a political race and note “the guy thing”? I couldn’t decide if I was more troubled by the assumption that I would write a column just because they’re women, or that it’s still a novelty for women to run for office.

I can already hear the comments, “But you started the column making a crack about opinionated women!” Yes, because women running for office are treated in ways that men are not. Their hard work and the issues they stand for are often overlooked. These candidates deserve voters’ attention not because they’re women, but because of their work and dedication to their community.

Disclosure: I know Julia, White, and DeBrito. So, I could be accused of having a bias for any of them. DeBrito appeared in an ad for me during my state Senate campaign. White was at my launch party and may have donated to my campaign. We served together on the Waterville Planning Board, on which I now serve with Julia.

Julia, White, and DeBrito are all very nice. But familiarity and amiability aren’t enough. Voters care about issues. We need to know that candidates are invested in our community, will be effective lawmakers, and represent our interests.

White is undoubtedly engaged in our community; he’s everywhere. But is he effective in representing Democratic issues? Not necessarily. He reportedly no longer caucuses with House Democrats. And then is surprised his seat is being “threatened” with a primary? It’s amazing it took so long. When he first announced his candidacy, people were concerned he wasn’t pro-choice. They couldn’t get a straight answer. Today, it seems the only “straight answers” he offers reporters are via email — where answers can be scrutinized and polished before hitting “reply.”

Yes, we now know he’s unabashedly pro-life and disagrees with his Democratic caucus on more than just reproductive rights; his voting record speaks for itself. Are Democrats expected to rally behind him? Running against him in a primary or calling him out isn’t being unkind — it’s holding him accountable. It’s democracy in action. If the majority is satisfied, he’ll be reelected. If not, it’s good to have another choice.

And Julia is a good choice. Critics may claim that being in favor of abortion rights is her only issue. Not so. She is equally engaged. She serves on our Planning Board. She’s supported public schools (where her children attend) for years, raising money for lunches long before the state covered them. And her website details health care, LGBTQIA rights, housing, and tax relief — all critical issues for Mainers.

The DeBrito-Dent race seems less contentious. DeBrito, like Julia, is pro-abortion rights. She has been an advocate for early childhood education and her children attend public school here. She’s been active with the Maine State Parent Ambassador Program, a year-long leadership program to train parents with children 8 and under to advocate for themselves and their children. She’s served on the Waterville City Council for several years, engaging in issues from housing to education and advocating for legislation at the state level. Admittedly, her website isn’t flashy, but her work to reduce poverty and level the playing field for the disadvantaged is well-known.

So why is Dent running against her? Aren’t choices good? Sure. Unlike DeBrito, he has an informative website. He says all the right things, but it feels cookie-cutter. If Waterville hadn’t been mentioned twice, it could be any place in Maine. His social media shows he moved to Waterville just a year ago. He’s originally from Georgia. He worked briefly as a field organizer for the Democratic Party in Maine. He’s well-spoken but he doesn’t demonstrate an understanding of Maine politics.

After all, Maine lawmakers often cross party lines at one point or another to serve Mainers. Is he unwilling to cross these lines? A post on his social media quips, “If a Republican politician’s lips are moving, they’re lying.” Dent’s rhetoric suggests him unwilling to do so and therefore is problematic if he wants to serve his community.

The voters for these House districts have a chance to shape their representation thoughtfully. Julia and DeBrito are committed to this community and its values. As voters, let’s move beyond the labels and focus on the substance. After all, isn’t that what democracy is truly about?