MORRISTOWN – Your past never truly disappears and that can be a problem when you’re seeking public office.

Back in 2006, mayoral candidate Esperanza Porras-Field was issued a summons for “stacking,” which is cramming multiple people into a small apartment. Typically, this happens when landlords rent to undocumented individuals who are unaware of local building codes and their rights as tenants.

It’s a dangerous practice. Fires, which are more likely in crowded quarters, can be deadly.

All of this could be considered “ancient history,” except for the fact Porras-Field is challenging incumbent Tim Dougherty in the June 8 Democratic primary.

And the challenger’s transgression more than a decade ago has popped up in the campaign. No surprise there.

In response, the Porras-Field campaign today sent out a statement in hopes of clarifying things. Here is what it says:

“Esperanza owned a property with a real estate partner and leased it to a tenant. The tenant violated the lease by bringing in additional tenants without the owners’ consent.”

Will that put the matter to rest?

We’ll find out soon enough.