Posted on Tuesday, 12th October 2010 by Eden Fryett
In this political election season, candidates often find their personal financial histories a source of scrutiny. A bankruptcy on the record, in particular, tends to draw the attention of critics and watch dogs.
The mayor’s race in Richmond, California, has taken a similar term. Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, who is running for re-election, is under such scrutiny following a bankruptcy filing from her past.
The filing came before McLaughlin was elected to the city’s City Council back in 2004. According to an article in The Oakland Tribune, McLaughlin’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing sought to get credit card and student loan debts of up to $119,000 discharged.
The court documents in the filing, according to the article, made the claim that she could not hold a full-time job as a result of what the story called “serious psychiatric disabilities.”
The firefighter and police unions in Richmond have released mailings, TV spots and web content that distributes this information about the bankruptcy filing. These unions are opposing McLaughlin in the election.
McLaughlin drew the opposition of these groups when she went against a proposal for a casino on Native American land, and of her criticism of a retrofit project at a Chevron refinery in the area.
Two other City Council members are opposing her in the current election. McLaughlin is a one-term mayor at this point after taking office in 2006.
McLaughlin has argued that her financial history does not impact her current campaign. She said that she used to suffer from depression, but that therapy has helped her to overcome it.
The police and firefighter’s unions claim of the bankruptcy that she “hid from voters” her financial past.
McLaughlin countered that “They are bringing up something that happened years before I took public office and trying to paint it as having something to do with me now. After six years, hardworking years, I challenge anyone to say I haven’t put myself, my heart, my mind, my soul and body into the work.”
McLaughlin also argued against characterizations of her work history, saying that she has held several full-time jobs for a number of years.
She also said that the bankruptcy causes stemmed from being the victim of several crimes while in her twenties, as well as the trauma of illness and death among family members. She did not say what the crimes or illnesses were, only that her depression was a personal challenge for her.
“I had depression because of traumatic situations in my life,” she said. “I had short periods when I received disability aid and I had long periods of working. But I rose from my problems. I sought out the help that was needed. I overcame my challenges.”
Personal challenges, unexpected bills and other obstacles can often tend to pile up and lead to a bankruptcy filing. Just as candidates will often face challenges from opponents based on their financial history.
McLaughlin plans to counter the scrutiny with mailings and public comments of her own. At a recent news conference, she stood with supporters and criticized the political mudslinging.
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