Monterey Park — Rep. Judy Chu (D-El Monte) says Matthew Lin had no right to use her photo in campaign flyers she says imply she, along with several other Democratic leaders, endorsed him.
Chu, whose district includes South Pasadena, held a press conference Thursday castigating Lin, the Republican who will face off against Democrat Ed Chau for the 49th Assembly District seat Tuesday. Chu and her husband, Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) have long supported Chau's campaign.
"Matthew Lin is using deceit to try to win this seat," Chu said. "He is lying in order to win this seat. He did not ask our permission to use our names or our pictures. By doing this, he is showing that he wants to win this seat by any means necessary."
"Is this the kind of person that we want to be our elected leader? Absolutely not. In fact, I urge everybody to make a statement about these unethical and false actions, and make sure you do not vote for him for Assembly."
Chu went on to say she has sent a "cease and desist" letter to Lin's office and would seek legal action if necessary.
The flyers in question feature photos of Chu posing with Lin, along with copies of several awards and certificates the Congresswoman has bestowed upon the physician over the years.
The conference comes a day after Lin's wife won an injunction barring Chau's campaign from disseminating any materials imprinted with her social security number. Joy Lin filed a legal complaint Oct. 26 after Chau's campaign released several mailers displaying her full name, home address and social security number.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge E. Edward Simpson ordered Chau to appear Nov. 27 regarding the injunction.
Lin, flanked by about 20 of his supporters, showed up at Thursday's press conference.
Spokeswoman Miryam Mora said the mailers never insinuated Chu or anyone else endorsed Lin. The mailers each bore the disclaimer "No Endorsement Implied."
"They're trying to distract the campaign," Mora said. "We want to get back to the issues."
Meanwhile, Lin said he would celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary with his wife later in the evening.
"I need to do something big for her, to apologize to her," he said. Asked if he would still run had he known how ugly the campaign could get, Lin said he would.
"If I don't run, California is going to be in big trouble."
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