Last week the Des Moines Register reported on its investigations of candidates in 25 seats of the Iowa Senate. Interestingly, they found a few candidates with sordid pasts.

Alcohol, prostitution and a theft charge were among some of the records dug up. It begs the question of whether the personal life of a political candidate should play a role in determining whether he or she is fit for office. Our simple answer is no. Let us explain.

One of those candidates is current Sen. James Seymour, a Republican from Woodbine. It turns out, back in March 2002 Seymour was arrested for prostitution in Des Moines at the time he was a candidate, and the news of his arrest was never released. Now, six years later and less than a month until his re-election, Iowans find out what happened that day in Des Moines.

He fell for a Des Moines police sting where Seymour offered an undercover officer $90 for oral sex and intercourse.

His response — to what voters will think — was this, in an interview with the Register:

“It’s probably going to destroy me,” he said. “I think that we’re held to a higher standard. I think people expect their politicians to behave themselves, and in this case, I didn’t. I can tell you my wife and I have reconciled this, and I have been pretty straight and narrow in the last six-and-a-half years, and ever since I took oath of office, I decided I would not bring any shame on my time in the Senate, and this is just going to undo all of that.”

Thanks, Senator.

His situation isn’t new. It seems the time leading up to the election often brings out the best and worst of people, and it becomes hard to focus on what issues really are at stake. Everyone makes mistakes. Yes, sometimes illegal ones, but in the end, mistakes.

We aren’t endorsing Sen. Seymour, and we certainly don’t endorse his decision. But what we lack in political support for the senator, we offer to responsible voting.

So look beyond the scandals during this election, and focus on the substance that makes this time of year so great.