Adultery Charge in 40th District Congress Race

The “character” issue has been raised in the 40th Congressional District Republican primary campaign.

Irvine City Councilman C. David Baker has been accused of having an extramarital relationship. Baker has neither admitted nor denied the accusation.

At issue is not whether his accuser was an agent of any other candidate in the race or whether the press has crossed the line of propriety in asking such questions about a public person’s private life. The real issue is whether Baker has the requisite character traits--honesty, truthfulness and sound judgment--to serve in the House of Representatives.

Baker has presented himself to the electorate as a churchgoing, family man. If Baker has, in fact, been an unfaithful husband, then his campaign has been one of misrepresentation and deceit.

Baker’s decision to base his campaign on a lie is telling of the kind of representative he would make, one who would place self-advancement above ethics and integrity.

It is time for Baker to face squarely the charges made against him and provide the voters with a full explanation. The voters of the 40th Congressional District are entitled to nothing less.

ROBERT L. HOPKINS

Newport Beach