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I was dismayed to read your recent article about me ("District 39 battle takes turn over campaign finance, ethics questions," Jan. 22) in which unnamed sources and rival politicians questioned the ethics of my campaign activities. This article was nothing more than baseless charges and anonymous smears.

During my recent listening tour, I was consumed with listening to the people of District 39 to gauge what issues they cared about at the onset of this year's legislative session. Every evening I heard from individuals who had lost their jobs or had been furloughed.

I held my listening tour to give voice to these everyday struggles. Our idea to hold the raffles mentioned in Gazette staff writer Alan Brody's article was an afterthought that Bill Sommerville, the legislative ethics counsel, had cleared. On Dec. 22, he wrote, "It is my opinion that this presents no problems as a matter of legislative ethics." Still, we ended up eliminating them for unrelated logistical reasons. Unfortunately, recent political chatter about this nonissue has distracted attention from the pressing concerns of my community.

The article also carried water for critics who claimed outrage that I recommended a low-interest credit card from a nonprofit federal credit union on a local blog. There was no personal gain in this for me. I was merely helping constituents escape usurious credit card APRs of 30 percent. It is remarkable that in these trying economic times some would see fit to criticize my efforts to save money for constituents.

Formal ethics complaints are handled by the state Legislative Ethics Commission. This commission has never issued any finding regarding me. The truth is that the "ethical questions" The Gazette reported are actually nothing more than unfounded political accusations that are ridiculous on their face.

Let me be clear: I have done nothing illegal, unethical or even slightly untoward.

I continue to seek constructive input and advice from my constituents as I strive to do the business of the people of Maryland. For this, state Sen. Nancy King has launched personal attacks on me (calling me "crazed" and "desperate"). It is unhelpful and unbecoming. Instead of lobbing nasty barbs, let's all roll up our sleeves to solve the problems that Marylanders have sent us to Annapolis to fix.

Saqib Ali, Gaithersburg

The writer is a Democratic state delegate representing Maryland's 39th legislative district.