Flores outlines financial woes
State. Rep. Linda Flores admits having state wages garnisheed in an unprompted letter to voters; opponent Barton said attack wasn’t coming
submitted photo / Clackamas Review
Linda Flores and Brent Barton
State Rep. Linda Flores took the unusual step of sending a letter to her constituents last week that discussed her personal financial woes.
The letter, sent to voters in Flores’ House District 51, stated that Flores’ husband, Armando Flores, ran into troubles with his lawn care company when a business partner left, and has “had trouble keeping up with certain bills which were turned over to a collection agency.” The letter further states that while Linda Flores is not “an officer or shareholder” in the business, she shares a joint checking account with her husband, so her wages have been garnisheed.
Linda Flores had prior financial issues she said were related to her husband’s business problems. She had her legislative wages garnisheed twice in the past six years. In 2002, Ford Motor Credit Company repossessed her car when she couldn’t make payments. Court documents from 2007 show that a collection agency had a claim against the Flores for unpaid medical bills. That collection agency, Asset Systems, Inc., garnisheed her wages from Nov. 2007 until Feb. 2008 to the tune of $3,900.
“I felt it was important to explain to the voters what our current situation was in light of the fact that my opponent has been mischaracterizing a number of my votes in the Legislature and somewhat twisting the facts,” Linda Flores said in an interview. “I thought I would just be honest and up front with voters in the event that it would become an issue. Yes we have problems just like a lot of other families.”
Her opponent, Democrat Brent Barton, said that while two Democratic fundraising committees had released direct mail pieces questioning Linda Flores’ votes, none had broached the topic of her personal finances.
“We didn’t have any plans to talk about her personal life,” Barton said. “I really don’t want to see any personal attacks, I don’t want to go there. But I have no trouble at all discussing my opponent’s voting record.”
Linda Flores said the response to her letter from voters has thus far been positive.
“The response has been very affirming. They understand and they appreciate my forthrightness,” she said, adding that she doesn’t think her personal problems affect her ability to manage the state in troubled financial times.
“I think there are two separate categories there. While yes, we’re struggling, I understand the importance of putting our state in a sound position, and I don’t think that affects my judgment in that regard.”