SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Republican Party officials in Orange County, Calif., are urging the GOP candidate for Congress from the state's 47th District to drop out of the race.
Orange County Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh rejected Tan Nguyen's assertion that Nguyen was not involved in mailing a controversial letter that falsely advised immigrants they could be prosecuted if they voted in the upcoming election. The letter was sent to as many as 14,000 Democrats in Orange County.
Nguyen said in a statement the letter was sent by an employee of his campaign without his knowledge, and that the employee has been discharged, the Orange County Register reported.
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has begun an investigation.
Baugh said he had determined that Nguyen was personally involved in sending the mailer.
"I've had conversations with the attorney general and folks involved with the mail house," Baugh said. "(Nguyen) called the mail house himself and told them to expedite the mailing."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and several members of Congress have denounced the mailer, the newspaper said.
Nguyen, who immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in the 1980s, is challenging Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez.
