Guest Commentary
by Sherry Hodges
Farrah Douglas irresponsibly and falsely claims I was responsible for the release of information about her personal and business financial difficulties.
I can understand Ms. Douglas’ desire to shift attention from her financial problems, since she is competing to represent the people of the 76th Assembly District in Sacramento, and oversight of state finances is a major issue in the race. But she offers absolutely no evidence that I was responsible for release of the incriminating information – information that has been openly circulated in political circles for months, including by the third candidate in this race, Rocky Chavez.
However, since Ms. Douglas has raised these issues, I think voters deserve responses from her on matters that relate to her qualifications to serve:
- Is it not true that within days of your election to the Carlsbad City Council, you told political operatives of your plans to seek election to higher office, disappointing many supporters who took you at your word that you were committed to the City of Carlsbad?
- Is it not true that your business – which you cite as your primary qualification for seeking higher office – was sued by your landlord for non-payment of over $100,000 in rent? Complaint of Unlawful Detainer
- Is it not true that you were sued at least twice by your bank for failure to pay tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt? Complaint for Money: Breach of Cardholder Agreement (1) Complaint for Money: Breach of Cardholder Agreement (2)
I sympathize with anyone who ended up in financial trouble during the recent recession. I understand that many residents fell behind in their home mortgage payments, and that some faced foreclosure. I congratulate Ms. Douglas for apparently bringing her mortgage obligation current.
But simply avoiding foreclosure is not a qualification to hold high office. At a time when the state legislature is challenged to address a multi-billion dollar budget deficit and to restore discipline and responsibility to the state budget process, Ms. Douglas’ personal and business finances raise serious questions about her fitness to hold office. Voters deserve a substantive explanation from her, not just an attempt to shift blame to her opponent.
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Hodges is a candidate for State Assembly in the 76th District.