We believe state Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, has some explaining to do to her constituents.

Last year, in an episode caught on videotape, Wiggins made a highly inappropriate remark to a person who was offering testimony before a state Senate committee. Repeated viewing of the tape of that incident suggests Wiggins, who subsequently apologized, did not hear or understand what the man was saying.

This year, as Wiggins has appeared at local events, including a fundraiser for her own campaign coffers, Napa County residents have come away concerned about her well-being. Political officials and constituents, careful to speak off the record, wonder about Wiggins’ conduct.

While Wiggins acknowledges difficulty hearing, many who spend time in her company wonder if she also has a memory problem. Members of the Register staff have had similarly puzzling interactions with the senator.

In March, Sen. Wiggins’ top Sacramento staff visited the Register on a tour of the district. During a meeting in which the staffers discussed Wiggins’ legislative priorities for the year, we asked for an interview with Wiggins or to spend a day in her company in Sacramento.

We were told a meeting could be arranged. We have asked repeatedly since March, and have not been afforded a chance to speak to the senator. One staffer told us Wiggins is too busy dealing with the state budget crisis — although budget negotiations appear to be taking place among a very small circle of lawmakers and in recent weeks Wiggins has taken the time to participate in at least two events in the valley.

All we can surmise is that Sen. Wiggins, or her staff on her behalf, is avoiding scrutiny.

Yet with every public appearance Wiggins makes, more people wonder if she is facing a condition that compromises her ability to serve effectively. Her apparent refusal to address the issue, which was raised intensely after the 2008 outburst at the capitol, is hurting her one voter, one supporter, at a time.

In most cases a person’s medical condition is none of the public’s business. This is not most cases.

Patricia Wiggins represents hundreds of thousands of Californians, including all of those in Napa County. She is one of only 40 California state senators, with substantial authority over the direction of the state.

Wiggins launched her pollitical career on the Santa Rosa City Council and has been an able, active representative of the North Coast for a long time. She appears to be gearing up for a re-election effort next year.

Our main question for her is not her view on education or the environment, the Ag Preserve or the state budget. Wiggins has made her positions on these issues clear over the years.

Our question is, what is wrong, and what impact is it having on her ability to serve?

In our view, Wiggins needs to answer the questions forthrightly and deal with the consequences honorably. Otherwise, she risks tarnishing her legacy as a lawmaker who has consistently put the people of the North Coast and the state of California first.