I’ve known Abel Maldonado for a long time. I consider us to be friends. We served together in Sacramento, and I always respected his devotion to public service.

I’m sorry to say this version of Abel Maldonado campaigning for Congress is not the same person I knew and served with in Sacramento.

It’s clear that Mr. Maldonado is running a dishonest campaign. His latest ad is one of the most brazenly untrue I have ever seen. On his tax liens, he has had many, and the most recent was in 2010, not 20 years ago.

But it’s not just his latest ad. Let’s look at his debates. He’s spread misinformation about his record. He’s given confusing statements on a woman’s right to choose in this election, but when he was in Sacramento, he voted against a resolution supporting Roe v. Wade. On health care reform, he says he would support allowing kids to stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26 — except he doesn't tell you he voted against that in Sacramento.

And remember, it was just four months ago when he said he would publicly release his tax returns so the voters could see whether he really paid his taxes like he says in his ad. He hasn’t released his tax returns as promised.

Residents are sick of all of the negative campaigning.

I expected better from Mr. Maldonado.