NORTH HOLLYWOOD–On Thursday, Christine Essel launched a negative attack ad against Paul Krekorian alleging he was a sexist and an anti-semite. The Krekorian campain responded, calling the campaign untrue, irresponsible, over the top and belittling to ” the very real struggles that women and minorities have faced against discrimination, bigotry, hatred and extremism.”
“Chris Essel’s latest attack mailer is the most disgusting and grotesque political communication I have ever seen,” Krekorian said in a statement released on Thursday. “Her outrageously false claims are not just an affront to common decency and truth, but they belittle and politicize two of the most vile ills of our society – sexism and antisemitism.”
“Sadly, the citizens of Los Angeles have come to expect some politicians to say and do just about anything in campaigns, but Chris Essel has reached a new low in using outlandish claims of sexism and antisemitism for her own political advancement,” he said. “She should be ashamed, and everyone who genuinely cares about and has been active in fighting against these evils as I have, should be outraged.”
“I am very confident that the voters of this district will be as offended as I am at this ludicrous attempt at character assassination. The voters will reject this latest vicious attack, especially since they have been exposed to an unending flood of negative attacks and dirty tricks from Essel in recent weeks, paid for with over a million dollars in special interest financing,” Krekorian added.
Krekorian has a long and outstanding record of fighting for equality. In the Legislature, he eearned a 100% rating from California NOW and from Equality California. He is a longtime board member of Women Against Gun Violence, and he has given his time to offer legal assistance to victims of domestic violence seeking restraining orders. He has a long and strong relationship with the Jewish community, he has been an ardent supporter of the state of Israel (which he visited with the Jewish Federation last year), and he has been one of the leading voices in Sacramento in fighting against hate crimes and genocide.