'Whore' Comment Fractures California Dems

Another Latina lawmaker from California has come forward to complain about the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Rep. Hilda Solis of El Monte issued a statement this morning in support of her colleague, Rep. Loretta Sanchez of Garden Grove, who resigned from the caucus after she heard that chairman Joe Baca had called her a whore. Solis writes:

"I share Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez's sentiment about the lack of respect afforded to women members of the Hispanic Caucus. If the Hispanic Caucus is to be truly representative of the Latino community, it must give equal treatment to all its members, regardless of gender or seniority."

Rep. Baca denies making the remark about Sanchez (pictured) during a meeting with a group of California lawmakers, including Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. Sanchez replied in an interview with Politico: Nunez "is a friend of mine. Did he think he wouldn't tell me?"

So far, the online magazine reports, six members have withdrawn from the CHC's political action committee, "after Baca and his allies authorized political contributions to family members who were running for state and local offices." Those defectors include Sanchez, Solis and California Reps. Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa.

(Photo: Rick Loomis / L.A. Times via AFP)