[Sanchez] said she was surprised and insulted when she learned that Baca had made the disparaging personal comment about her to California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and other legislators last year.
Nunez “is a friend of mine. Did he think he wouldn’t tell me?” Sanchez asked.
Sanchez voted against Baca in the election for chairman in November. Four other female lawmakers abstained from the vote, raising concerns about whether the election followed proper procedures.
The Sanchez withdrawal is a blow to Baca and his allies who have been trying to bring the caucus back together after a series of internal spats last year. Many of the more junior members and the women have butted heads with him and senior lawmakers.
[Link]
UPDATE: If you’re interested in writing a letter to Representative Baca send it to:
Joe Baca
201 North “E” Street, Suite 102
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Calling someone a whore isn’t something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Saying something like that to a colleague is just downright offensive! If Baca really did say that to my Congresswoman, then he’d better APOLOGIZE AHORA…
And start treating women with more respect!!
If someone called me a “whore”, then I’d sure as hell quit his organization. How sad that this may divide DC Latinos.
: (
Maybe we should inundate Baca w/ letters.
I think this guy is a REAL embarassment to Democrats.
He had his son run for Assembly 2 years ago and when a Senate seat came up in 06, the son decided to ditch 4 more years as a legislator to run for that seat, low and behold, a younger brother stepped up to the plate to run for that seat. What I found interesting was at the caucus, the activists refused to endorse either son (both lost in the primary to women) AND refused to endorse Congressman Baca. How is that for support?
I wonder why the other women abstained though. Whatever happened to sisterhood? And I am not talking about Linda.
demmother, good job on the history there. The older brother is now a sitting City Councilman in Rialto (ran in the same year, 2006); Jeremy (the younger brother) tried to seek an appointment on the Colton City Council to fill a vacancy. The Colton City Council came to a deadlock and pushed this to a special election, so we’ll see on June 5th if the Baca dynasty dream is fulfilled (with all three in office). Residency and local credibility (the younger has had at least two noteworthy arrests reported locally that hurt him in his Assembly primary) appear to be challenges; the younger has never owned property in Colton and just rented an apartment a week before he sought the vacancy. Some interesting characters out of the growing Inland Empire!
Baca needs to apologize…and publicly. Even Neal Bortz, a conservative talk show host in Atlanta,apologized to former Rep. Cynthia McKinney for calling her a “ghetto slut” on the air.
Can someone post his contact information here please? Time for a blogswarm.
I would call Joe Baca’s office (calling him a Congressman is too much to stomach at the moment) and DEMAND that he publically apologize to Loretta Sanchez for his comments and resign as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
San Bernardino – 909-885-BACA (2222) Fax 909-888-5959
Washington DC – 202-225-6161 Fax 202-225-8671
Perhaps Mr. Baca does not remember who Matthew Martinez is. Or was. Whatever happened to Marty?
It was a tough day yesterday for Democrats eating their own. First Joe Biden insulting Barack Obama and now Joe Baca calling Loretta a whore. Can’t you guys all get along.
Thanks Darin –
I remember reading a post, it may have been on the Hotline when I was fortunate enough to get it. There must be something in the water out there.
I’ll add that the 42nd CD (much of it was once the 41st) is developing its own history.
Jeez Allan, at least we’re not all in lockstep behind Dear Leader like your party. As far as Republicans eating their own, you must not be paying attention to the Libby Trial.
I called Baca’s DC office; they categorically deny the comments but refuse to speculate on why Loretta stepped down.
If Baca is such a jerk then I should think that the Caucus should vote him out of the chairmanship next time around. Than Loretta can go back to the Caucus and maybe take the chair position herself. That would be poetic justice.
Paul,
I like that idea. Unfortunately, the caucus did not follow the bylaws where balloting was concerned.
FYI, I just got a Press Release from Congresswoman Hilda Solis’ Office:
Statement of Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis
February 1, 2007
“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.
“I continue to be very concerned about the operation of BOLD-PAC, the Caucus’ campaign arm. I withdrew from the PAC last year because it was moving away from its mission of electing Hispanic Congressional candidates by allowing contributions to Hispanic Caucus relatives running for local and state office. The PAC’s recently revised by-laws continue to allow this practice.. At a time when the public is crying out for a more ethical government, we should be taking every step to avoid any appearance of preferential treatment for relatives.
“We must address these issues and resolve them as soon as possible so we can continue fighting for the rights and the well being of the Latino community, as is the mission of the Caucus.”