Democratic congressional candidate Bill Hedrick blasts Rep. Ken Calvert

The Democratic challenger for California’s 44th District congressional seat is calling on Republican incumbent Ken Calvert to reimburse taxpayers for use of so-called “franked” campaign mailers. Bill Hedrick says Calvert’s abusing a congressional privilege to give himself an unfair election-time advantage.

“Franking” is the practice of sending out unsolicited campaign mailers on the taxpayer’s dime.

It’s a common and legal practice among congressional incumbents who seek re-election.

But certain rules apply; a bipartisan commission has to approve the mailings. And, mailings of more than 500 pieces are banned within three months of an election.

That’s why many lawmakers including Calvert, R-Corona, send variations of the same campaign mailer in small quantities in those final 90 days of an election.

These bulk mail outs are known as “499s.” The election come-ons typically masquerade as “informational” pamphlets about a candidate’s accomplishments.

Calvert’s Democratic challenger, Bill Hedrick told supporters in Riverside City Hall plaza on Tuesday that it’s time for his opponent to stop abusing the practice.

“Mr. Calvert needs to stop spending tax dollars to fund what is basically his campaign literature. Ken has spent $1.4 million dollars on congressional mail," says Hedrick, referring to the total estimated amount Calvert has spent on "franked" campaign mailers during his congressional tenure. "And his (Calvert's) spokesperson just pledged to spend tens of thousands dollars more before Election Day.”

A Calvert representative told the Riverside Press Enterprise last week that the congressman plans to keep using his “franking” privilege to communicate his opposition to Democrats’ overspending.

November’s race for the 44th congressional district is a re-match of 2008.

That’s when Hedrick came within a few thousand votes of unseating Calvert. The Republican incumbent seeks a 10th consecutive term in office. The district covers parts of the Inland Empire and Orange County.