Republican Rich Anderson, who’s challenging incumbent Delegate Paul Nichols in Prince William County, is now facing a criminal investigation over a campaign mailer that revealed Nichols’ complete Social Security Number to nearly 15,000 district residents:

Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul B. Ebert has asked that a special prosecutor investigate claims that a campaign mailer wrongly released the personal information of Del. Paul F. Nichols.

Whatever happens in the investigation, this is clearly not the sort of publicity Anderson wants with only two weeks left in the campaign.

But this story is not over yet. The Manassas News and Messenger has now blasted Anderson for both the release of Nichols’ Social Security Number and the false claims made by Anderson’s mailers:

Even if the Anderson campaign felt it necessary to launch this attack on Nichols, it should have at least had the decency and respect to keep Nichols’ personal information off two mailers that were sent to many homes.

In this day of identity theft, that action reaches a new low. In fact, Nichols was forced to cancel credit cards because of the mailers.

These mailers are just another example of the depths to which politics has fallen, and they cross the line from mean-spirited into harmful.

Rich Anderson owes Paul Nichols an apology.

Unfortunately, an apology will not be forthcoming, as Anderson still “doesn’t feel he has done anything wrong.” Don't expect an apology for Anderson's lack of class either.