The Andrea Cardenas saga is close to an end.
The 30-something woman resigned her post as District 3 representative on the Chula Vista City Council Monday. In the face of a pending criminal trial, the now former councilwoman said she wants to focus on her mental health.
The myriad of charges brought against the Democrat and her brother Jesus last November are in connection with misuse of federal Paycheck Protection Program funds. For good measure the District Attorney’s office on Tuesday also charged Andrea and Jesus with bilking the state out of money by fraudulently taking money from California’s unemployment fund.
Being accused by prosecutors of taking public money when you are an elected official is personally damaging and politically damning.
To be fair, the Cardenas siblings remain innocent until proven guilty in a courtroom or they plead guilty. And while quitting your job as a city council member does not scream “I’m innocent and am wrongly accused!”, the justice system we have in place preserves our innocence until proven otherwise.
But in the court of public opinion it appears Andrea Cardenas is guilty. Her political career is done. Over. Dead and buried.
Or is it?
I can’t help but think of another politician when considering what is happening in Chula Vista, albeit that case is on a larger scale.
Former President of the United States Donald Trump is facing criminal charges in not one, not two, not three but four separate cases in three states and the District of Columbia. He is accused of paying hush money to a porn star, subverting the presidential election, unlawfully possessing classified documents, and election interference. Despite the 91 total charges against him he remains, according to our justice system, innocent.
However, he also was recently judged to have sexually assaulted a woman and to have committed fraud.
And yet millions of people—voters— believe he is innocent of all charges and he appears likely to be the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election campaign. Even if convicted, there is a chance he could serve as President of the United States from prison.
Maybe if she can one day appeal to Trump supporters Andrea Cardenas political career isn’t dead yet.
