There's an ugly political race going on in Arlington County — between two Democrats, no less. And here we thought all Democrats had lost their spines.

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The race, as detailed in the Post, is between Barbara Favola, an Arlington County Board member since 1997, and Jaime Areizaga-Soto, a former U.S. Agency for International Development official who serves in Judge Advocate General Corps in the Army National Guard.

These few things we know are true: Areizaga-Soto sent a mailer to Arlington residents, accusing Favola of approving a multi-million dollar project in exchange for a $25,000 donation. The president of the company, John Shooshan of The Shooshan Company, is also the chair of Favola's fundraising committee. Favola, meanwhile, authorized a poll in which Areizaga-Soto was called a Republican. Favola later admitted her mistake.

And then there's the case of retiring Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple. In 2010, Whipple called Areizaga-Soto her policy advisor, adding: "Jaime supports and advises me on legislation and Caucus-related issues." However, in a pro-Favola mailing, Whipple wrote:

Jaime served as an intern in my Senate office during the two months of the 2010 General Assembly session.... Since he received only a small stipend, I agreed to give him the title 'Policy Advisor.' However, Jaime tells people he advised the entire senate caucus on policy positions and negotiated the State budget.... Jaime's embellishments and exaggerations of his role during his time in Richmond have bothered some time.

Several politicians quoted by the Post lament the negative turn the race has taken, but hey, it's nice to know that some people in the Democratic Party have a little fight in them.

[via WaPo]