Anyone who has ever been involved in a divorce action understands how emotions run high, accusations run fast and loose, and truth often gets trampled under anger and the desire for revenge. Toss in kids and the animosity and rage become even more wild and vicious.

A recent TV ad, produced by a radical national PAC whose objective is to turn the Washington State Legislature red, is a derogatory rant about incumbent 45th Legislative District State Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland), based on claims made by his estranged wife during their divorce proceedings. His then wife stated that Roger, under the influence of marijuana, often drove with their two children in the car. The ad also states that Goodman has been delinquent in payment of both child support and income taxes. The forms they make public are not public record and contain private information.

I have known Roger for several years, working on his campaigns in the past and this year. We have talked about how the media makes a circus of his divorce and the pain it is causing him, as well as his ex-wife and their two children. Roger loves his children, would never put them in danger, and has never been in trouble with the law.

Does he smoke marijuana? The TV ad described it as “illegal drugs.” Perhaps, although I have never noticed any sign of it. Has Roger fallen behind in his tax and child support payments? Not that I know of, nor is he a ‘deadbeat dad.’

Roger is one of the most effective, hardworking legislators in our state, recognized on a national level for the DUI laws he has sponsored and gotten passed, as well as his work to keep minors in our state away from the lure of drugs. In 2011 and 2013, Roger was recognized and awarded by MADD for “commitment to advancing MADD’s mission in Washington by promoting effective DUI countermeasures.”

The TV ad currently being aired is one of the nastiest works ever seen in Washington state politics. Even Roger’s opponent has backed away, claiming no part in it. His ex-wife has requested the information posted by the PAC on Facebook, and this disgusting ad, be removed. What this PAC is doing is appalling and underhanded. Common decency and fair play demand its immediately removal. We cannot allow politics here in Washington to become mired in the sludge of gutter politics.

Barbara Manley, Redmond