The sting of a loss still seems to burn for former Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.), who lashed out at past victor Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Calif.) on Wednesday, calling her a “bimbo.”
Baca, who was ousted from Congress in the 2012 elections during a Democrat v. Democrat civil war, spoke with The Hill regarding Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod’s (D-Calif.) decision to retire after one term. The former congressman is running for the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and told The Hill he has no plans to switch districts. Still, it’s apparent Baca’s loss remains an open wound.
“Look at what we wound up with: Some bimbo who decided not to run again. … Here we go again now with another New Yorker trying to tell us who’s going to be the representative of the 31st. It’s up to the people to decide,” Baca said, referencing both Negrete McLeod and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.).
The California Democrat, running in the state’s 31st Congressional district, praised himself for having a proven track record and lots of experience representing the Golden State.
Though Baca squashed speculation of him possibly jumping districts, he took shots at former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Israel for their involvement in California’s races. According to The Hill, Democrats have fought to prevent Baca from winning the party’s nomination in the 31st district’s primary, and the DCCC even endorsed a competing Democrat, Redlands, Calif., Mayor Pete Aguilar.
“What’s the difference?” Baca asked. “They’ve conspired to work against me in one, they’d turn around and do the same in the other, right? Would you roll the dice and hope they wouldn’t?”
Bloomberg spent $3 million in 2012 when Negrete McLeod faced the former congressman and attacked Baca for his stances on environmental and Second Amendment issues.
Baca later attempted to backtrack his comments regarding Negrete McLeod and apologized.
“I was just upset the district lost a representative in a short period of time,” he told The Hill. “To me, that’s a disservice to the area. I do apologize for my poor choice of words.”
h/t Mediaiate
