Richardson's opponent calls her "a national embarassment"

One of Rep. Laura Richardson's opponents in Tuesday's Democratic primary called her "a national embarrassment" on Sunday, arguing Richardson's personal financial troubles have undercut her ability to fight for her district.

"When you have someone representing you in Congress with this sort of national embarrassment, it makes it very hard for her to lobby for this district," said Lee Davis, a community activist running against Richardson.

Davis was citing Richardon's recently publicized history of multiple mortgage defaults on multiple properties -- eight defaults on three houses, and one foreclosure.

Richardson has not responded to repeated requests from L.A. Land for details about the defaults, or her negotiations to modify mortgage loans. She also declined to be interviewed for an article published in Saturday's Los Angeles Times.

"If she doesn't care about herself and being responsible, do you think that's a person who's going to care about her constituents?" Davis asked. "I think there is something very, very wrong with it. She makes $169,000, that's enough to pay her mortgages. ... This goes to her character."

Davis continued, "She's a person who will do or say anything to win. There are credibility issues, there are integrity issues. ... We just don't need a representative who doesn't respond to the press or the people. Are we to continue to elect someone who is negligent in her finances, negligent in paying her bills, negligent in responding to the people she represents? Do we need two more years of that? Laura needs to go."

On Saturday, Richardson's other Democratic opponent, Peter Mathews, accused her of "a pattern of financial irresponsibility."

Photo Credit:  Lee Davis for Congress
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Comments

[AJ]

What is scary here is that the main stream media who usually grabs a story and runs with it... has dropped the ball here with this story..
She has been very "flaky".
Enough said. We do not need flaky, we need strong and more STRONG!
It is amazing that this story has not made more main stream media... but then again it is America!

[MyLessThanPrimeBeef]

We will have to wait for the tabloids to come in and scream: "Sweatshop Congress! Congresswoman forced to flip houses to make ends meet!'

[Michael Snyder]

With two black women competing for the same seat voters will finally have to decide an election on the issues. This alone should be a headline as the "politically correct" decision can't be made from looking at a photograph. My confidence in our electoral process would be enhanced by seeing the voters of the 37th district turn out and make an intelligent decision based on the issues/evidence instead of the kind of nonsense that has bubbled to the surface in the Obama vs Clinton campaign.
If you haven't already figured it out, I reject political correctness as a gold standard for mediocrity and whiners. Life is pretty simple if you just grant others the respect you'd like to receive.

[Steve]

She should be a great politicain, it is this simple if you want to win office you must be a lier, whore and a thief. I do not think she is a whore, but she does qualify on the other two requirements. She should do well Washington, like the whore LA Mayor who will soon be the next CA Govenor.

[Tim]

well steve,
I take offense to your tone --are you the same steve in colorado? perhaps you should stay there with all of your negativity!

Villagroooso will not be the next governor!!

[jb]

I wasnt even going to vote - now I am going to be sure to make it and vote for her opponent.

(its strange though, most of my blame/rage is on the stupid idiotic bank who should have had her put 10-20% down to protect their investment - she is only at very small fault compared to the banks in my opinion)

[Robbie Fields]

Richardson wins primary in a landslide.

Long Beach Press Telegram gave LR its endorsement.

Angelo Mozilo appointed new Fed Chairman by activist Pres. Bush after Bernanke's massive heart attack suffered whilst touring the empty vaults of Fort Knox.

[Teatime]

Lee got crushed at the polls yesterday. Ms. Richardson received a free pass --typical of our elected officials. Really --it's disgusting.

[Duke of Moral Hazard]

That's a temporary pass, Teatime, given to her by people who've been scammed. Now she has to worry about making it to November without jail or recall.