Slings and Arrows in the 40th Congressional District Race

Democrats in the 40th Congressional District have a clear cut choice in Tuesday’s primary, but the choice is not obvious. On the ballot, at the top of Card B under U.S. Representative, only one name appears, Art Hoffman, technical writer. Those who are not vigilant have no way of knowing that Hoffman is a follower of Lyndon LaRouche, whose anti-Semitism and bizarre conspiracy theories are anathema to the ideals of the Democratic Party.

The “choice” for Democrats is to write in and vote for Judge Bruce Sumner, a local senior statesman who has served this community for 30 years as assemblyman, Superior Court judge, and chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party. Ever since Sumner learned Hoffman was a LaRouche follower, he has been teaching voters how to write in his name and punch the vote.

Skeptics say Sumner’s chances are slim. The American voter, they say, is ill informed, apathetic and has a short memory. As a teacher, I know we all learn quickly about the things that interest us and impact our daily lives.

My bet is that we voters will prove the skeptics wrong and send LaRouche a clear message that there is no room for his political cult in the Democratic Party.

LIDA and GEORGE LENNEY

Laguna Beach