Letters: Niezgodski's political foes dredged up 'painful history'

Nearly a decade ago, I watched as my sister, Sheila Niezgodski, weathered a storm in her family. She handled the situation then with characteristic strength and compassion, two traits that have marked her life and career. She and her husband emerged, after much effort, with renewed commitment. Today, they are each other’s rocks.

This week, I watched as political opponents of her husband dredged up that painful history and displayed it, with crudeness, insensitivity and mischaracterizations by third parties, on the pages of papers. It is a tragedy that this has become a part of our process.

Sheila could have buckled this week, and I would not have blamed her. Instead, I saw her characteristic traits reemerge: strength and compassion. She understood the attacks for what they were, and the lack of privacy as a sacrifice she and her husband, David, make in their ongoing commitment to public service.

She understood that the records she and David have supporting women and families matter far more than one personal, closed chapter in their lives. I am so proud that she is my sister, and proud of them both for what they have given to our community.

Bonita Tomlinson

South Bend

Wrong office

As I watch the political ads for Sen. Mike Braun, I wonder if he thinks Joe Biden is running for governor. In my opinion he seems to be running for Donald Trump's vice president and not the governor.

Jerry Pinder

Plymouth

Step down

In the '70s, my sister’s first job was as an office secretary. When her boss called her into hisoffice to take dictation, he told her to sit on his lap. She was 19 years old. My sister was stunned, refused, and he retaliated with a negative evaluation. When he called the other 19-year-old secretary into his office, she sat on his lap. Fear, retaliation, abuse.

We have fought to end sexual harassment in the workplace, and I would like to think we’ve come a long way since the '70s. I would like to think that chants of “believe women” are resonating and that we now understand what Anita Hill and others experienced. But over this last week I’ve read with disappointment and anger that once again a victim is ignored, and a perpetrator is excused.

Tim Swager, state Senate candidate, is correct. David Niezgodski needs to apologize and step down. He lost his ability to represent Democratic Party principles — especially after describing what occurred between him and an employee as a “personnel” issue. What personnel issue requires a payment and an NDA? As Democrats, we cannot claim to stand up for women and also support Niezgodski’s candidacy.

Cheryl Nix

South Bend

The writer has contributed to Tim Swager's campaign.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: David Niezgodski's political foes dredged up 'painful history'