Congressman Bob Filner fired back today at claims that he lacks the temperament to be San Diego’s mayor and is disrespectful toward women.
The claims about Filner’s personality come from the campaign of his opponent, City Councilman Carl DeMaio. DeMaio has run ads calling out Filner for bad and aggressive behavior.
Filner said he pleads guilty to being passionate about certain issues.
At a news conference promoting his work with veterans, Filner introduced Tara Wise. Wise founded the National Women Veterans Association of America. She said Filner helped her after she experienced a sexual assault while in the military.
“I wanted to die,” she said. “I did not see a future for me, myself, or my son. Immediately he reached out. And there are women veterans all around this nation that tell and can share the same story, because I refer them to him.”
Wise said Filner has helped to give women veterans' issues a platform in Washington D.C.
Several polls have shown Filner drawing more support among likely women voters. But recently the DeMaio campaign has been pushing the message that Filner is demeaning toward women. On Monday, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis endorsed DeMaio and said Filner was disrespectful toward her during the mayoral primary campaign.
Election day is week from today.
