Congressional Races

In your (Oct. 18) editorial, it was suggested that I, Janet Gastil, can not provide an adequate challenge to the (52nd district) incumbent, Rep. Duncan Hunter. While you implicitly encourage readers to vote against Hunter, you did not endorse my campaign.

Two things concern me about this decision. First, the editors’ assessment of my strength is at odds with other reports. Recent analyses, including Roll Call (Oct. 12), California Journal (October, Business Week (Oct. 26), the Union-Tribune (Oct. 18), and even the Los Angeles Times itself (Oct. 13) have described the race as somewhere between “up for grabs” and “possible upset.”

My strong position in this election has come from a vigorous grass roots campaign, a dedicated and intelligent staff, my opponent’s check bouncing and attacks on Clinton, and substantial financial support from individuals, groups such as EMILY’s list, and the Democratic party, both locally and nationally.

But regardless of the strength of my campaign, an editorial staff has a responsibility to make endorsements on the basis of records and views. Anyone who has read the Times regularly over the past year can see that they parallel my own views and diverge from those of my far-right opponent. Moreover, my moderate positions, fiscal prudence, and pro-choice stance resonate with the voters in the 52nd Congressional District.

JANET GASTIL, Democratic Nominee for U.S. Congress, 52nd District