Photograph Used In Attack Ad Was Stolen From University

Call it Photogate.

An independent group calling itself “Washingtonians for Environmental Balance” ran a full-page ad in The Olympian Sunday showing a shaggy, bearded Democratic congressional candidate, Brian Baird, and denouncing his views.

The photo was identified as having been taken in January. Baird has been clean-shaven and closely cropped since entering the 3rd Congressional District race.

The photo was a blowup of a faculty photo stolen from the Psychology Department of Pacific Lutheran University last month, said the department chairwoman, Christine Moon. She said the photo was taken three years ago.

The Baird campaign called it “a dirty trick” and held Republican Congresswoman Linda Smith’s backers responsible. The independent group has not registered with the state or federal government as required, Baird said.

Smith’s campaign manager, Sharon Bumala, said she has no idea who the group is and knows nothing about the photo or how it was obtained.

“Mr. Baird should stop worrying so much about hair and beards,” she said.

One of Smith’s brochures pictures a bearded Baird.