A group known as the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance sent a flier to 6,000 Cupertino voters that was critical of city council candidate Raj Abhyanker. Abhyanker labeled the mailer a "hate piece."

Titled "Some People Don't Belong in Public Office," the full-color mailer listed statements by Abhyanker that it called misleading. In a category called "What Raj says," the flier disputed Abhyanker's length of residency in Cupertino, parts of his résumé and statements he has made. The flier also offered its version of the facts under the title, "What's the truth."

In response, Abhyanker sent an email to his supporters, city council members, the media and others disputing the claims.

He also said the flier did not bother him.

"It doesn't surprise me, given his history," Abhyanker said of its creator, Rich Robinson.

Courier archives show Robinson has consulted on Cupertino political campaigns at least as far back as 1993. At that time Robinson spearheaded a last-minute mailer targeting incumbent candidate Marshall Goldman. He again targeted Goldman in 1995. In both races, Goldman was defeated.

As for the current mailer, Abhyanker said Cupertino voters should be able to look past it.

Indeed, a number of voters who read the flier said they were disturbed by it.

"I don't think it was appropriate," said resident Alok Singhania, who called the mailer "disgusting." "After the flier, I am more determined to vote Raj," he said.

Numerous emails to Abhyanker also expressed similar concern.

"I can't agree with you on all subjects," read a typical email to Abhyanker, "...[but] this seemed very dirty to us...You now have our vote."

Despite the criticism, Robinson did not flinch.

"I welcome it," he said. Robinson, a Cupertino resident and political consultant, created the flier with the backing of Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith and other county public safety officers.

The flier included a quote from Smith critical of Abhyanker. The quote read in part: "A few people will say and do anything to win public office....It is clear from his own words, Raj Abhyanker does not belong in public office." Smith has confirmed that these words are hers.

Robinson said he expected the flier--targeted to sometime-voters in Cupertino's Indo-American community--to be divisive.

Robinson, who also contributed his own money to the flier (which cost roughly $5,000 to produce), said Abhyanker's "lack of veracity" motivated him to develop the mailer.

Robinson also actively campaigned against the three growth measures on the Cupertino ballot--measures that Abhyanker supports. Robinson also said the flier was independent of another group with which he is affiliated, the Advocates for a Better Cupertino.

As for the Public Safety Alliance, Robinson said its involvement stemmed from Abhyanker's "anti-sheriff" position. Abhyanker has campaigned for Cupertino to have its own police force, rather than rely on the policing services of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.

"He's a first time candidate who saw an opportunity to glom onto an issue," Robinson said of Abhyanker's support of the three measures.

"I am proud to be young and to take advantage of every opportunity given to me," Abhyanker said in response.

"They have shot themselves in the foot with the hate piece, and unfortunately it reflects badly on the Advocates of a Better Cupertino and the sheriff's office," Abhyanker said of the flier.

"From a legal perspective they have done a good job of making me look bad while not being liable," he said, noting the flier's use of third party sources--sources used without quotation marks. "But a sophisticated [voter] will be able to spot that."