Eddy County Democratic Party
Boston Globe: Mitt Romney's biggest enemy: Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney’s biggest enemy: Mitt Romney
By Brian McGrory
Admittedly, and please don’t hold this against me, I always kind of liked Mitt Romney.
I liked when he told me, fresh off his gubernatorial election, “I want to do a better job for people who need government’s help,’’ and when he oversaw the landmark health care reform and when he restored hundreds of thousands of dollars in the budget for the homeless.
But somewhere around the time he was disavowing his stands on abortion rights, on sensible immigration policies, on pretty much the entire role of government in society, I came to realize one true thing: I liked the concept of Mitt Romney more than I liked the man himself.
The concept is the businessman who neither needs nor craves the elective job. The concept is the fully formed adult who refuses to get caught up in the petty semantics and intellectual gymnastics that consume so many career politicians. The concept is the person more devoted to ideas than ideology, someone who doesn’t sweat every poll.
By the time he got to the cornfields of Iowa and the strip malls of New Hampshire four years ago, the man and the concept had irreparable differences. He distorted his past. He contorted his views. Mitt Romney seemed diminished by what should have been a grand pursuit.
Still, when this campaign rolled around, and the economy was the focus, Romney seemed like the man for the moment. He was a titan in business. He had governed Massachusetts out of a recession. He is uncommonly intelligent. And it doesn’t hurt that he basically comes across as Abraham Lincoln compared to the assorted cranks and crackpots who make up most of the Republican field.
He’s even pushed an early, effective message, one that goes like this: Voters in 2008 put their faith in a young, untested candidate in Barack Obama, as is the American way. Nothing against him, Romney says, but time has shown he isn’t up to the job. The message may work, because it may be right.
But then came last week’s television ad, the first of Romney’s campaign, and everything old is new again. The spot shows Obama saying, “If we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose.’’ Problem is, as has been widely reported, Obama was repeating and mocking what a John McCain aide said about the GOP strategy in the 2008 race. The full Obama quote went like this: “Senator McCain’s campaign actually said, and I quote, if we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose.’’
Which brings us to Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom. He may or may not be better than his recent zero-for-six record reflects, though he was great as CrazyKhazei on Twitter, circulating anonymous insults in the Massachusetts Senate race on behalf of Scott Brown. Then his identity was revealed, and he looked like he was running for student council at a reform school.
Of the Romney ad and the out-of-context quote, Fehrnstrom bizarrely told the Globe, “It’s all deliberate.’’ Of the outcry from Obama’s camp: “Their reaction was quite hysterical.’’ Of the obvious deception: “If you do your job, [voters] will learn about it.’’
So basically, Romney deliberately deceived the public; he’s laughing because his opponent thinks it’s wrong; he feels no obligation to the truth. Is that about right?
And with that, Mitt Romney has yet again relinquished his role as the adult in this race, the serious-minded reformer who soars above the fray to tell it like it is. Romney, yet again, is just another politician willing to sacrifice what’s left of his integrity for a vote.
If he deceives in an ad, does he deceive in a speech? Does he have that little respect for the voters? In this environment, with these opponents, is he really incapable of making an honest, straightforward case?
Romney and the concept have never been so far apart. At a time when nothing good ever seems to get done in government, he’s showing himself to be another face in the crowd.
MittvMitt.com: The story of two men trapped in one body
Hispanics Won’t Buy Into GOP Spin
Hispanics Won’t Buy Into GOP Spin
By Javier Gonzales / Chairman, Democratic Party of New Mexico on Fri, Nov 25, 2011
Last Monday, New Mexico GOP Chairman Monty Newman reminded us that Hispanics face a “harsh economic reality” (“Hispanics Want Real Solutions, Not Pandering”).
But that statement about the economic situation was the single accurate point in a baseless article asking Hispanic New Mexicans to support Republican presidential candidates. Newman clearly forgets that Republicans want to take us back to the exact same policies that created this economic reality.
Newman asks us to vote for the same Republicans behind a dangerous “cut, cap and balance” budget plan that would eliminate 700,000 jobs. Who would rather privatize schools than help students – one in four of whom is Hispanic – succeed. Who claim to represent Hispanic voters, but block responsible immigration reform, make it harder for us to vote, then try to keep us from voting them out of office.
New Mexicans need a president who fights for the middle class. That’s why we’re behind President Obama, who has helped put money back in the pockets of the middle class and made sure that all Americans – including Hispanics – have access to high-quality health care through the Affordable Care Act, which ensures all Americans are eligible for health insurance regardless of pre-existing conditions.
That’s not all the president has done for America’s Hispanic community. He kept his promise to make college more affordable for everyone by extending Pell Grants to 150,000 more Hispanic students. By helping so many of our talented kids continue their studies, he’s not just investing in New Mexico’s future, but in our country’s future.
And the message is getting through. Someone tell Monty that it’s important to read the whole poll before using it, because the very same Univision poll he quotes to prove that jobs are important to Hispanics also shows we overwhelmingly believe in President Obama’s efforts to create them. That’s why in this poll we picked the president over Mitt Romney (67-24), Rick Perry (68-21) and Herman Cain (65-22). I know Republicans think they can spin almost anything, but to take a poll that gives the president margins like those and try to spin it as bad news truly tests the limits of credibility.
By the way, did Monty really need a poll to tell him Hispanics care about job creation?
What Monty and the Republicans don’t get is this: Every Hispanic knows the path to prosperity centers on good-paying jobs, a fair playing field and the American promise of respect for the seniors in our community. Hispanics make up significant portions of our public and private sectors and still believe hard work ought to ensure success. Republican candidates either don’t recognize these facts or choose not to – either way is frightening.
Mitt Romney and the other Republican candidates would rather play partisan politics than put New Mexico’s middle-class Americans back to work.
President Obama knows we can’t wait for Congress to act. That’s why he has taken action to make it easier for college students to repay their federal student loans,and for homeowners to refinance their mortgages.
Here’s the bottom line, Monty: Hispanics, like all working-class families, are hit hard by Republican economic policies designed to favor the richest 1 percent. And in New Mexico Hispanics make up the majority of working-class families. If you really want solutions that will bring jobs, opportunity and economic relief to Hispanics in New Mexico, then you need to rethink your support of the obstructionist Republican Congress, and support our president in passing his much-needed economic programs.
RELEASE: What Does $70k Buy You In The Martinez Administration?
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
November 21, 2011 505-934-5681
What Does $70k Buy You In The Martinez Administration?
A Rigged Bid for the Abq Downs Contract and Millions of $ for Contributors
Albuquerque, NM - Today New Mexico State Fair commissioners met and approved a lease agreement with the Downs of Albuquerque to build a casino at the State Fair grounds. This same group of folks has given over $70,000.00 to the Governors' campaign.
Today's meeting was defined as a "special session/ workshop" where no vote was to occur. Expo manager Dan Mourning - - who was appointed by Susana Martinez - made sure language was added last week to so a vote could take place, even though it was not expected and two state fair commissioners even stated they did not believe this was the intent of today's meeting.
Below is a statement from Scott Forrester, Executive Director of the DPNM:
"Running for Governor, Susana Martinez never let a day or a public appearance go by without endlessly decrying what she saw as pay-to-play in Santa Fe. Now, just 11 months in, Susana Martinez is already engaging in exactly the same behavior she accused the former administration of, and it's resulted in the first pay-to-play scandal of her administration.
The case is cut and dry: she received a $70,000.00 check and the contributors received a multi-million dollar state contract when no one was expecting a vote." You tell me how she can spin that into anything other than what it is: PAY-TO-PLAY."
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Background: Please see Joe Monahan's article this morning for a better picture of the relationships at the Downs:
DIRTY DEALING AT DOWNS?
Tom Tinnin
A Senior Alligator has a simple summation of the questionable activities going on over the awarding of a new racino and a 25 year lease to the Downs at ABQ at the NM Expo. He notes this newspaper report and wonders: "Problems ahead?" First, the news:
As chairman of the State Fair Commission from 1997 through 2002, Albuquerque businessman Tom Tinnin was passionate about the fair. Tinnin apparently hasn’t lost that fire. Upset with the Martinez administration’s handling of a new lease for the racetrack and casino at the state fairgrounds, Tinnin resigned his seat on the state Board of Finance. The resignation is just the latest fallout from the administration’s troubled attempt to award a new lease, and Tinnin’s resignation is further damage to the credibility of the process.
Governor Martinez decried "pay to play" during her campaign. The dicey Downs deal is now raising that question on her watch. Some of the players:
GOP National Committeeman and Republican attorney Pat Rogers is now representing the Downs. Former ABQ Public Safety Director and GOP Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White landed a consulting agreement with the Downs when he was forced to resign from the city. He cut campaign commercials for Martinez. Dan Mourning, a former ABQ restaurant manger and close friend of White's, manages the state fairgrounds upon which the Downs is located.
And, as always, lurking in the background and connected to all the players is Jay McCleskey, the Guv's powerful political consultant as well as Republican activist and attorney Mickey Barnett. In addition, the three members of the panel appointed to evaluate proposals for a new racino at the Fairgrounds and a 25 year lease are all tapped in Republicans:
Gov. Martinez appointed three people to evaluate the confidential proposals and make a recommendation to fair general manager Mourning, a Martinez appointee... The three appointees are Chuck Gara, director of the Property Control Division of the state General Services Department; John A. Garcia, director of the city of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department; and Garrett Hennessy, former intergovernmental affairs liaison for Mayor Richard Berry....
Top sources say there was a move to have a larger panel evaluate the proposals that would have included members not so tightly connected with the administration, but it didn't happen.
Laguna Development corporation--which runs an Indian casino--was the only other bidder to build a new racino, but the request for proposals was only out there for a month. The three member panel recommended to the fair commission that the Downs get the deal.
The extremely tight timeline for putting in a proposal to build a racino served to exclude bidders, especially for those from out of state, say sources following the action. That's where the concern about the deal being wired for the Downs comes in.
RED FLAGS FOR GUV
All of this and more has given Tom Tinnin pause. He's a highly respected businessman and longtime player in the state GOP whose name has often been floated as a possible party chair. And the State Fair Commission--all of whom are not Martinez appointments--are worried enough that they have delayed until December a final decision on giving the Downs permission to replace the current dilapidated racino.
Tinnin's resignation and the trepidation over this deal at the commission are major red flags for this new Governor who may be unaware of the long ties among the players involved. This deal signals the return of what we've often referred to over the years as the lobbying/consulting wing of the GOP that has warred with other factions. It started when the GOP lobbyists-consultants committed heresy by joining with GOP Governor Gary Johnson in supporting the legalization of drugs and picking up lucrative contracts as a result. That wing still operates, as illustrated by the machinations over this racino. It's more evidence that this new Governor needs to grab the reins and call on competing political and legal advice to keep her on the straight and narrow. In other words, what does Tom Tinnin know that this Governor should know?
STATEMENT: Duran Once Again Making Claims the Facts Don't Support
Dianna Duran Months-Long Witch-Hunt Finally Comes to an End
Despite Past Claims, Duran Uncovers No Concrete Evidence of Voter Fraud
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
November 17, 2011 (505) 934-5681
Albuquerque, NM - The following is a statement from Scott Forrester, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico:
"We expect every person in New Mexico to follow the law. Voting registration requirements exist for a reason, and it is the Secretary of State's job to see that they are met. But it is a different thing entirely to go out of your way to implement voter supression policies that intimidate and keep legal citizens from voting. That's exactly what Secretary Duran is doing, and she has crossed the line.
When she should be doing everything in her power to extend access to the polls and make it easier for all those who meet the requirements to participate in our democracy, Duran has wasted countless hours and manpower on nothing more than a witch-hunt deliberately concocted to make sure fewer people vote. Now, months later, the investigation has turned up basically nothing, and she can't even say for sure what she did or did not find - 19 people out of 1 million registered voters who may or may not have actually done anything wrong? Here we go again, Dianna Duran is making even more claims without any facts to back them up.
The act of voting in this country is our most sacred value. It's how our voices are heard, it's why our system has worked for centuries. To mess with that is unacceptable."
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STATEMENT: DPNM Chairman Observes Veteran's Day; Recognized Sacrifice of Veterans
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
November 11, 2011 505-934-5681
DPNM Chairman Recognizes Sacrifice of Veterans; Observes Veteran’s Day
(Albuquerque, NM) – Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier M. Gonzales released the following statement in observance of Veteran’s Day:
“This Friday, November 11 marks the 92nd time that members of the military have been honored, appreciated and remembered for their service on Veteran's Day,” said Gonzales.
“Whether Air Force or Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, New Mexico veterans all share one common aspect – courage. Courage to join in the name of freedom, courage to fulfill their duties or die doing so, and courage to continue life after all they have seen and experienced.”
“The Democratic Party of New Mexico is proud of and supports every U.S. Armed Forces member, old and young, who has served, is serving or has made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States. This Veteran’s Day please take time to recognize the selfless acts of these brave men and women and thank them for the sacrifices they have made out of love of our country.”
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Univision News poll: Obama holds advantage with Latino voters, leaving GOP with uphill battle
Topline Results Univision/Latino Decisions Poll
http://univisionnews.tumblr.com/post/12528019120/2012-election-polls-lat...
One year before Election Day 2012, Univision poll demonstrates that Latinos prefer Obama by more than 2 to 1.
If the election were held today, the President would beat Governor Romney 67 percent to 24 percent, beat Governor Perry 68 percent to 21 percent on Perry and beat Herman Cain 65 percent to 22 percent.
Obama’s numbers equal his performance with Latinos in 2008, when he won over two-thirds of the vote.
Each GOP contender received less than the approximately 31 percent Latino support the 2008 GOP presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), received.
Latinos support Obama in greater numbers than the general voting public and have an unfavorable view of the Tea Party which all Republican Presidential candidates have aligned themselves with.
On the Issues, Latinos overwhelmingly support President Obama and Democrats
Latino Voters state that fixing the economy and job creation are their top two voter priorities. Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act come in third place.
Whether on the economy or on social issues, President Obama and Democrats have a clear advantage over Republicans.
· 57% of respondents trust the President and Democrats to make the right decisions and improve our economy and a plurality oppose the Tea Party which all Republican candidates are currently courting.
· 59% of respondents think the government should ensure that everyone has access to healthcare, and a plurality support the Affordable Care Act, which all Republican Presidential candidates oppose.
· 55% believes the Federal government should invest in federal projects to stimulate the economy, which all Republican Presidential candidates oppose
· 67% believe in a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, which all Republican candidates oppose
· 64% strongly support the DREAM Act, which the leading Republican Presidential candidates oppose
· 54% strongly oppose making changes to Social Security, which all Republican Presidential candidates support
HYPOCRISY ALERT:Governor Martinez For Pay-to-Play and Reaps Reward of $70,000 Donor
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
November 8, 2011 505-923-5681
Governor Martinez For Pay-to-Play and Reaps Reward of $70,000 Donor
Disregards "Bold Change" Promised To New Mexicans
Albuquerque, NM - Today's ABQ Journal digs deeper into the shady dealings around the proposed Casino at the State Fairgrounds, finding Governor Martinez and shadow governor Jay Mcleskey awarding the lucrative NM Downs contract to a donor who gave her $70,000!
Below is a statement from DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester:
"While running for Governor, then-candidate Martinez led the charge on getting rid of pay-to-play in Santa Fe, but it turns out the Governor just wanted a piece of the action. This is pay-to-play at its worst. The insider dealing involved goes back years, and there is much more than meets the eye.”
"Defined Fitness - where Traci Moore Wolf is President - used to have Jay McCleskey on the payroll and lists Paul Blanchard as a part-owner. But Traci is also the Vice President at the Downs (also co-owned by Blanchard). Every step in the contract process was directly controlled by the Governor and her minions. To even pretend to be unbiased is completely ridiculous."
"This contract should be revoked and the RFP process re-opened for a truly open and transparent process. To ignore such an obvious conflict of interest is an ethical failing of massive scale, and an blatant flip-flop from what was promised to New Mexicans when running for Governor. The Governor's actions are politics as usual in New Mexico and not the "Bold Change” promised to New Mexicans."
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See Journal article below and background on Susana's stances on pay-to-play in Government when running for Governor in 09:
Downs Interests Gave Gov. $70,000
Abq Journal – 11/8/2011 - http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2011/11/08/news/downs-interests-gave-gov-...
By Charles D. Brunt and Sean Olson
People connected to the Downs at Albuquerque ponied up at least $70,000 to Gov. Susana Martinez’s campaign while competitor Laguna Development Corp. gave $1,000, according to campaign finance reports filed with the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office.
People with ownership interest in the Downs also gave more than $50,000 to Martinez’s general election opponent, Democrat Diane Denish, since 2006.
The Downs and Laguna Development, the tribal-owned company that operates Route 66 and Dancing Eagle casinos west of Albuquerque, were the only two businesses that submitted bids to build a new multimillion-dollar casino and sign a 25-year lease with Expo New Mexico, home to the racino and the New Mexico State Fair.
Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell said the lease was put out to a competitive bid and campaign donations had nothing to do with any decisions regarding the Downs.
“The Governor makes decisions based on merit, as is evidenced by her appointment of an independent to the (Public Regulation Commission) and the fact that she has, at times, placed Denish contributors into key roles in her administration,” Darnell said in an email.
After reviewing the proposals, a three-member evaluation committee appointed by Martinez recommended that interim Expo general manager Dan Mourning — also a Martinez appointee — negotiate a contract with the Downs.
The governor-appointed State Fair Commission is set for an up-or-down vote Wednesday on whether to give the Downs, which has leased the 93-acre racino tract at Expo since 1985, another 25-year lease as part of the new deal.
Bill Windham, a Louisiana businessman and part owner of the Downs, gave Martinez’s gubernatorial campaign $15,000.
Windham and fellow Louisianan John S. Turner, who also owns part of the Downs, each owns about 25 percent of SunRay Park, a racino between Bloomfield and Farmington.
SunRay Gaming, which operates SunRay Park, gave Martinez’s campaign $45,000 in three contributions between June 2010 and January 2011.
Traci Moore Wolf, who became vice president of the Downs in May after Windham replaced then-majority owner Paul Blanchard as president, contributed $10,000 to the Martinez campaign.
Wolf also is president of Defined Fitness, a chain of gyms owned in part by Blanchard.
Blanchard still retains some ownership in the Downs, but Pat J. Rogers, an attorney representing the Downs in its negotiations with Mourning, has declined to say what percentage of the racino Blanchard, Windham and Turner currently own.
Prior to Windham becoming president, Blanchard owned 50 percent, and Windham and Turner owned 25 percent each. Turner remains the Downs’ secretary/treasurer.
Windham and Turner also contributed a combined $12,000 to Martinez’s challenger, Democrat Diane Denish, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Between 2006 and 2010, SunRay Gaming gave Denish’s gubernatorial campaign $28,000, and the Downs at Albuquerque gave Denish $24,000 during that period. Blanchard, a close political ally of former Gov. Bill Richardson, donated $5,000 to the New Mexico Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee last year, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
The State Fair Commission meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the UNM Continuing Education Center Auditorium, 1634 University NE.
The Downs was recently criticized in a Legislative Finance Committee audit for problems blamed in part on poor oversight by Expo officials. Among the criticisms was that the Downs owed Expo hundreds of thousands of dollars in racing revenues and increases in its $2 million annual lease payments that were required when the Legislature approved two one-year lease extensions.
Mourning said the Downs paid $215,000 it owed for race meet revenues last week, and plans to pay $420,000 it owes in lease increases on or before the end of the current lease, which he said expires Jan. 11.
According to a summary of the new lease, the Downs agreed to increase its lease payments from the current $2 million to $2.75 million beginning in 2014. Laguna Development had offered to pay $3 million by that year.
The Downs also has agreed to pay Expo additional revenues based on its “net win,” the amount of money wagered on slot machines less payouts and approved regulatory fees.
The Downs also agreed to: drop nearly $2 million in unspecified claims it says is owed by Expo; pay for all maintenance of the leased property, an expense currently paid by Expo; pay all electric bills on the leased property; pay $300,000 per year in cooperative advertising that cannot be used to “offset” lease payments; sponsor and pay rent for 12 events a year at Tingley Coliseum and four events per year at the horse arena; conduct the 17-day live horse racing during the State Fair; and make a number of specified capital improvements.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal
BACKGROUND:
Susana on Pay-to-Play: People want to know what the rules are and if you have pay to play then it depends who your with, not what you bring to the table. It depends on what you are willing to pay and not what your willing to do to provide to New Mexicans as far as jobs are concerned. So corruption is number one and the removal of every aspect of our government. [54 Candidate Forum, Roswell, 19:00, 4/30/10]
Martinez: Running For Governor Because Tired Of Corruption. In a September 2009 op-ed, Martinez wrote, “One of the main reasons I have decided to seek New Mexico’s governorship is because I, along with so many of you, am sick and tired of reading about scandal after scandal and instance after instance of corruption. As someone charged with not just upholding the law – but also enforcing it – I feel like the bad actors in state government have left a stain on our great state and completely lost sight of their responsibilities.” [Martinez op-ed, Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics, 9/9/09]
Martinez Attacked Denish – “Public Will Have To Weigh Her Self-Serving Campaign Rhetoric” Against “Unethical Behavior Of The Richardson/Denish Administration.” In September 2009, Martinez wrote, “Now that she is running for governor, Denish is singing a different tune and claiming to be a champion of ethics reform. The public will have to weigh her self-serving campaign rhetoric against the overwhelming evidence of unethical behavior of the Richardson/Denish administration and determine whether her newfound positions are borne out of political convenience or true conviction. I look forward to having that debate. [Martinez op-ed, Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics, 9/9/09]
A Video Re-cap of the 7th or 8th GOP Debate
Campaign Donations Questioned
Campaign Donations Questioned
By Sean Olson / Journal Staff Writer on Fri, Oct 14, 2011
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has been facing criticism from political opponents over contributions found in new campaign finance reports, but the governor’s political representatives said the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of State’s Office reversed its interpretation of a new campaign contribution cap law, leaving Martinez, as well as numerous Democratic political action groups, in the clear.
Democratic Party of New Mexico Executive Director Scott Forrester said this week that Martinez possibly broke state law when she accepted more than $60,000 for her campaign and more than $13,000 for her political action committee, called Susana PAC, during the Sept. 6-24 special legislative session.
“Such a large amount of money raises serious questions about whether Susana Martinez or her ‘agents’ solicited funds throughout the special session, breaking the very laws she vowed to uphold,” Forrester said.
State law prohibits soliciting donations during a legislative session. It does not prohibit accepting a donations during a session.
Martinez political consultant Jay McCleskey said Martinez did not solicit any of the questioned contributions during the session, nor were the donations given by supporters during that time.
“In raising resources, the governor’s PAC operates transparently by disclosing all donors, limits contributions, and adheres to both the spirit and letter of the law, including only soliciting contributions during appropriate times and not during any prohibited period,” Susana PAC spokesman Danny Diaz said.
In the controversy over campaign contribution caps, Ken Ortiz, chief of staff for Secretary of State Dianna Duran, said Thursday that his office changed its policy by allowing candidates for statewide office to accept up to $10,000 – other candidates can accept up to $4,600 – at one time, as long as the money is dedicated evenly between spending for primary and general elections – $5,000 for each cycle.
A new state law that took effect following the 2010 election puts a cap of $5,000 per donor eligible to go to a statewide candidate. Other candidates have a cap of $2,300. Donors can give up to the contribution limit in both the primary and general elections.
The Associated Press reported that the policy reverses a position taken in January, when a Democratic official was told by Duran’s office that a campaign or PAC had to gather separate donations for each election or risk violating the law.
Thomas Dow, a lawyer with Duran’s office, said he began reviewing the policy after several PACs reported accepting donations of more than $5,000 in April, including a donation from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.
Martinez also reported accepting several $10,000 contributions starting in May.
Dow said that after the review, “We came to the understanding that the intention of the legislation was to mirror the federal election law,” which allows candidates to accept primary and general election funds at the same time.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal