McKinley County Democratic Party
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
RELEASE: DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales on Senate's Vote on the American Jobs Act Today
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
October 11, 2011 505-934-5681
Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales Released the Following Statement on the Senate's Vote on the American Jobs Act Today
Albuquerque, NM—With the United States Senate set to vote on the American Jobs Act today, New Mexico State Party Chair Javier Gonzales released the following statement:
“President Obama sent Congress the fully-paid for American Jobs Act that will get more Americans working and put more money back into the pockets of middle class families and small business. Today's vote in the Senate is a critical step forward. The American Jobs Act will help middle class families get ahead, keep teachers in the classroom and police and firefighters on the beat, and it will put construction workers on the job rebuilding America’s crumbling schools, bridges, and roads.
“The American people have sent a message to Washington: it’s time for Congress to vote for what’s best for the country, not their political party. Republicans in the Senate should vote for this legislation, and the Republican-led House of Representatives, including Steve Pearce, should follow the lead of the Senate and vote on the American Jobs Act. It's time for Republicans in Washington and the GOP presidential candidates to support this important legislation that will help middle class families and our economy. Republicans don't have a plan of their own that would create jobs now. They should support President Obama's plan that will provide immediate action on jobs. For Americans looking for work, for teachers who want to stay in their classroom, and for police and firefighters who want to protect their communities, there is no time for delay.”
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STATEMENT: Governor Vetoes Perfectly Fair and Legal Maps
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
October 7, 2011 505-934-5691
Albuquerque, NM - Today Susana Martinez vetoed fair, legal maps drawn by democratically elected representatives of the people. The last time Republican Governor Gary Johnson vetoed the maps that were passed by a majority of democratically elected legislators it cost NM taxpayers $3.6 million.
Below is a statement from DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales:
"It should come as no surprise to New Mexicans that Susana Martinez is playing politics, as she has continued to do so over her first 9 months in office. Ultimately her continued political games will be corrected by the courts as they've done at least four times before. Democrats will take their fight to court where they will fight for "One person, One Vote," and ensure all minorities’ voters’ rights are protected.
Democrat legislators refused to rig the next decade of elections in Republicans favor, and that's not what Susana Martinez wanted, so now she is sending us into an unnecessary court battle costing taxpayers millions of dollars. New Mexicans have larger issues to devote their attention then Susana's usual political games like jobs, education, and healthcare.
Make no mistake, with this veto, Susana Martinez is sending fair and legal maps, and drawn by democratically elected representatives of the people to court and wasting taxpayers millions of dollars."
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STATEMENT: DPNM Calls on Republicans to Stop Blocking Consumer Protection
For Immediate Release
October 6, 2011
Contact: Scott Forrester, (505) 934-5681
On Day Senate Banking Committee Approves Richard Cordray to Head Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Democratic State Party Calls for Senate Republicans and GOP Presidential Candidates to Stand with Consumers and the Middle Class and not Just Wall Street
DPNM Calls for Senate Republicans to End Obstruction and Confirm Cordray, Blasts GOP Presidential Candidates for Vowing to Repeal Wall Street Reform and Let Big Banks Write Their Own Rules Again
Albuquerque, NM – With the Senate Banking Committee voting on the nomination of Richard Cordray to be the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the President’s nomination will now go to the full Senate for approval. In anticipation of this, Scott Forrester, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico released the following statement:
“From day one Republicans in Congress have tried to block the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. If Republicans actually are concerned with job creation and protecting the middle class, then they should vote to confirmRichard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau without delay.
“Unfortunately, Republicans have been standing in the way of this important nomination and other efforts to grow our economy. It’s simply bewildering that the Republican presidential candidates want to repeal Wall Street reform and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Just a few short years since the worst recession in nearly a century, Republicans want to turn the economy back over to the same Wall Street bankers who left millions of American families reeling. In the battle between Wall Street and Main Street, the lines could not be drawn more clearly. President Obama passed Wall Street reform to rein in the excesses of bankers and protect middle class families from predatory lenders and shaky mortgage deals. Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidates are more than willing to let Wall Street bankers write their own rules and trample the middle class if it adds a few dollars to their campaign coffers.
“The way Wall Street Reform is written, without a Director, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is unable to fulfill its duties to help protect middle class Americans. We need RichardCordray confirmed as soon as possible. Delay isn’t good for our economy, and it’s not good for the country. It’s time for Republicans in the Senate to join with President Obama and Democrats in the Senate to confirm Richard Cordray.”
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RELEASE: Governor Martinez and GOP politicians should return contributions from corrupt Koch Brothers
New Mexicans call on Governor Martinez and GOP politicians to return contributions from corrupt Koch Brothers
$10,000 to Martinez, $10,000 to Pearce, $5,000 to State Party, from business interest that secretly and maybe illegally sold petrochemical equipment to terrorism-sponsor Iran
October 4, 2011 Contact: Scott Forrester
For Immediate Release (505) 934-5681
Albuquerque, NM – New Mexicans today are calling for politicians who have accepted contributions from Koch Industries and their political arm KOCHPAC to immediately return the money or donate it to charity.
A Bloomberg investigation revealed Sunday that David and Charles Koch – two of the largest funders of Republican causes in New Mexico and around the country – have built their company on corruption, greed, theft, intimidation and illegal business dealings for years.
It also revealed that they made millions of dollars selling petrochemical equipment to Iran – one of only four countries designated by the State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism.
What did they do with the money they made by doing business – possibly in violation of federal law – with the people behind some of our worst enemies? At least a portion of it rolled right into the pockets of some of New Mexico’s highest profile Republican politicians.
According to the New Mexico Secretary of State election filings, Koch Industries and their political action committee KOCHPAC gave $10,000 to Governor Susana Martinez, $5,000 to the Republican Campaign Committee of New Mexico, and $10,000 to Congressman Steve Pearce during the 2010 election.
The following is a statement from Javier Gonzales, Chairman, DPNM:
“Koch Industries has betrayed their country – and may have broken federal law in the process – all to turn a profit. They’ve made millions on business dealings with a terrorist-supporting foreign country.
It’s dirty money. And now it’s being funneled directly into the bank accounts of Republican leadership. This money should be returned or donated to charities doing real work to move New Mexico forward.
Politicians have no business taking money from people who do business with countries like Iran that sponsor terrorism. Every Republican who benefited from the Koch's illegal profiteering should immediately denounce the Koch Brothers and return or donate the money."
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BACKGROUND:
· According to the Bloomberg report, “Internal company records show that Koch Industries used its foreign subsidiary to sidestep a U.S. trade ban barring American companies from selling materials to Iran. Koch-Glitsch offices in Germany and Italy continued selling to Iran until as recently as 2007, the records show.
“The company’s products helped build a methanol plant for Zagros Petrochemical Co., a unit of Iran’s state-owned National Iranian Petrochemical Co., the documents show. The facility, in the coastal city of Bandar Assaluyeh, is now the largest methanol plant in the world.”
A former Koch Industries employee told Bloomberg that “Every single chance they had to do business with Iran…they did.”
· In a 2009 report, the State Department called Iran the most active state sponsor of terrorism, stating “Iran’s financial, material, and logistic support for terrorist and militant groups throughout the Middle East and Central Asia had a direct impact on international efforts to promote peace, threatened economic stability in the Gulf and undermined the growth of democracy.”
· Records show that the Republican committee receiving Koch Brothers funding provided polling, fundraising, direct mail, postage and direct contributions to unidentified state candidates and county political parties through at least 27 different transactions after receiving Koch money.
Martinez has also since started her own PAC, known as SusanaPAC, with $5,000 transferred from the same campaign account Koch money entered.
RELEASE: DPNM calls on Gov. Martinez to save taxpayers money and sign the bills
DPNM calls on Gov. Martinez to sign redistricting bills
Maps are fair and equal - save taxpayers money
For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester
September 25, 2011 505-934-5681
Albuquerque, NM – Yesterday, the 2011 special session of the New Mexico legislature adjourned and Governor Martinez was sent a series of fair redistricting bills that protect New Mexicans’ voting rights and ensure equal representation.
Below is a statement from DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales:
"Democrats worked diligently for 18 days to ensure fair and equal districts and protect the voting rights of all New Mexicans. I have no doubt that these maps meet every legal requirement of redistricting. They will hold up in court, so there is no reason - outside of pure partisanship - for Gov. Martinez to veto these bills. By vetoing them, she will waste millions of taxpayer dollars and months of time and energy on a senseless court battle—just because she wants to rig the game for her Republican party.
It's time to sign these bills and begin tackling the task of getting New Mexicans back to work."
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U.S. Rep. Luján, State Rep. Maestas and DPNM Chair Gonzales Statement on GOP Hispanic Conference
(En español debajo)
For Immediate Release
September 22, 2011
Contact: Matt Ross, 505-263-4879
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, State Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas and Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Javier Gonzales Release Statement on Republican Hispanic Conference in Albuquerque
Albuquerque – On a conference call today, U.S. Rep Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico State Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, and Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Javier Gonzales responded to a Republican Hispanic gathering in New Mexico. After the call, they released the following statements:
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján:
“When Jeb Bush and Norm Coleman launched the Hispanic Leadership Network last year, Jeb Bush said Republicans would be ‘incredibly stupid’ to ignore the fastest growing voting bloc in America and that Republicans should ‘tone down’ their rhetoric or else risk alienating it. What Republicans don't get is that it's not about rhetoric, but about reality, and the reality is that Republicans are not fighting for Hispanics, or their priorities"
New Mexico State Representative Antonio “Moe” Maestas:
“President Obama’s record is clear - he’s fighting for the middle class and for a better future for our country. He knows that the success of the United States is intricately tied to Hispanics’ success, and he’s fighting for us all: He expanded access to education for Hispanics, is fighting for the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform, and is continuing to fight to create jobs for the middle class. And no matter how hard Republicans try to convince them otherwise, Hispanics will not be fooled by their façade. It takes more than a network and a trip to New Mexico to prove that you care about Hispanics.
Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Javier Gonzales:
“Instead of offering ideas that would improve the lives of Hispanics, Republicans have embraced the extreme Tea Party agenda that would disproportionately hurt the middle class and Hispanics. Republicans, including those in New Mexico this weekend, are on the wrong side of every single Hispanic priority: jobs, Social Security, education, and health care.
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Para difusión inmediata
22 de septiembre de 2011
Contacto: Matt Ross, 505-263-4879
El Congresista Ben Ray Luján, el Representante Estatal Antonio “Moe” Maestas y el Presidente del Partido Demócrata de Nuevo México emiten declaraciones sobre conferencia republicana hispana en Albuquerque
Albuquerque - En una conferencia telefónica hoy, el Congresista Ben Ray Luján de Nuevo México, el Representante Estatal Antonio "Moe" Maestas, y el Presidente del Partido Demócrata de Nuevo México Javier Gonzales respondieron a una reunión de republicanos hispanos en Nuevo México. Después de la llamada, emitieron las siguientes declaraciones:
Congresista Ben Ray Luján:
“Cuando el Gobernador Jeb Bush y Norm Coleman crearon el “Hispanic Leadership Network” el año pasado, Jeb Bush dijo que los republicanos serían ‘increíblemente estúpidos’ si ignoraran al bloque de votantes que más rápido está creciendo en los Estados Unidos y que los republicanos deberían ‘controlar el tono’ de su retórica para no enajenar a los hispanos. Lo que los republicanos no entienden es que no se trata de su retórica, sino de la realidad, y la realidad es que los republicanos no están luchando ni por los Hispanos, ni por sus prioridades.”
Representante Estatal de Nuevo México Antonio "Moe" Maestas:
“El historial del presidente es claro - está luchando por la clase media y por un futuro mejor para nuestro país. Él sabe que el éxito de los Estados Unidos está profundamente ligado al éxito de los hispanos, y está luchando por todos nosotros: Expandió las oportunidades académicas de los Hispanos, está luchando por el DREAM Act y por una reforma migratoria integral y sigue luchando para crear más empleos para la clase media. Y no importa qué tan duro traten de convencernos los republicanos, los hispanos no nos dejaremos engañar por su falsa imagen. No basta con fabricar un ‘grupo hispano’ y hacer un viaje a Nuevo México para comprobar que les importan los Hispanos.
Presidente del Partido Demócrata de Nuevo México, Javier Gonzales:
“En lugar de ofrecer ideas que mejoran la vida de los hispanos, los republicanos han adoptado la agenda extrema del Tea Party que afectaría de manera desproporcionada a la clase media y a los hispanos. Los republicanos, incluyendo los que estarán en Nuevo México este fin de semana, están del lado equivocado cuando se trata de todos las prioridades para los Hispanos: los empleos, el seguro social, la educación, y la salud.
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RELEASE: Republicans Playing Blatant Politics With Redistricting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Scott Forrester
September 21, 2011 505-934-5681
Republican Legislators Upset Some Introduced Maps Don't Hand Them Automatic Majority
Santa Fe, NM - This week, Democrats in Santa Fe introduced several different proposals for re-drawing district lines. Every one of the Democratic concepts is based on four basic principles:
§ One person, one vote
§ Do not dilute minority voting power
§ Create compact districts
§ Preserve communities of interest
But Republicans are flipping their lids in protest, red in the face because Democrats--in their efforts to redistrict in a way that respects these principles above all else--refuse to go out of their way to improve the Republican Party's political prospects in next year's elections.
The following is a statement from Javier Gonzales, Chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico:
"It was painfully obvious today that Susana Martinez and her cronies in the Republican caucus aren't interested in protecting every New Mexican's vote or respecting minority voting rights.
They are playing partisan politics and creating as many safe Republican seats as possible. That's why the only complaints we've heard have been purely partisan, and boil down to: 'But these aren't Republican enough!' That's just wrong.
Our maps were drawn with sound constitutional principles and the best interests of New Mexico at heart. Susana Martinez has a choice to make. She can sign these maps--maps that uphold "One Person, One Vote," protect minority voting rights, and maintain communities of interest--or she can veto them because they don't rig enough seats for her political party. A veto will throw us into court, costing the citizens of New Mexico millions of dollars in the process. What's it going to be, Governor?"
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RELEASE: Democrats Focused On Protecting Right To Vote; GOP Skips Meetings and Hits the Golf Course
Santa Fe, NM - Democrats in the state House and Senate are working morning, noon, nights and weekends to protect every New Mexican's right to vote. But Republican legislators have been Absent Without Leave, skipping committee hearings and going golfing in the middle of the afternoon. Every ten years, every state legislature in the United States is obligated to redraw boundaries based on where population has grown. In New Mexico, Democrats are focused on the job at hand: collaborating by region, studying and debating maps, and working tirelessly to defend voting rights. Meanwhile on the Republican side: · State Rep. Nate Gentry (R-Albuquerque), is complaining that Democrats aren’t working, while he skips critical meetings of the House Voters & Elections Committee charged with overseeing redistricting and he and his colleagues introduce and vote for resolutions like HR 1, calling on the Legislature to do more work. · Paul Bandy (R-Aztec), Zachary Cook (R-Ruidoso), Anna Crook (R-Curry), Vernon Asbill (R-Carlsbad) and the top House Republican, Tom Taylor (R-Farmington) all took time off mid-day last week to hit the links for a round of golf instead of sticking around and participating in the debate. Missing committee meetings and golfing on the taxpayer’s dime is bad enough. But to do so after introducing and voting for a resolution (HR 1) complaining that not enough work is being done at the session is to perfect the art of hypocrisy. Below is a statement from DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester: "It’s incredibly hypocritical of the Republican legislators to say one thing on camera to score political points, but then turn around and act in a totally different way. The people of New Mexico are paying almost $200 a day directly to each one of these legislators, and they deserve to get their money’s worth. They need to take their own advice and get to work. We hope to see them in their chairs come committee time. " #####
September 19, 2011 505-934-5681
RELEASE: Democrats Focused On Protecting Right To Vote;
GOP Skips Meetings and Hits the Golf Course
Click here to watch Speaker Lujan speak about Democrats diligently working while the GOP plays golf
SPECIAL SESSION UPDATE: Democrats Re-Introduce Stack of Job Creation Bills that Susana and GOP Killed Last Session
SPECIAL SESSION UPDATE: Democrats Re-Introduce Stack of Job Creation Bills that Susana and GOP Killed Last Session
GOP Whines About Workload and Hits the Links
Last session, Democrats passed bill after bill to create jobs and turn the economy around, only to see them vetoed and filibustered by a politically-minded Governor and Republican legislators upset that they wouldn’t be able to take enough credit for any economic turnaround.
Now, two weeks into the Special Session, it is once again Democrats – and only Democrats – doing the work of job creation:
·Senator Phil Griego is carrying a bill to create a tax credit for high-wage job creation.
·Senator Tim Keller has re-introduced his bill to give New Mexico companies a competitive advantage in creating jobs. This was introduced, passed overwhelmingly, and sent to the Governor way back in April, but she vetoed it.
·Representative Mimi Stewart and Senator John Arthur Smith have both introduced legislation that would guarantee that New Mexico’s Unemployment Insurance Fund – often the only lifeline for our unemployed neighbors and family members looking for work – does not run dry.
·And Senator Carlos Cisneros has introduced capital outlay legislation that would put construction workers back on the job completing projects of vital importance. This is the same legislation that would have gone into effect back in March, and could have been creating jobs for almost 6 months now, but the Governor organized a last minute Senate filibuster to block it.
Republicans have grandstanded at every opportunity about the pace of work being done, demanding that Democrats move more quickly. But despite themselves, Republicans have only introduced one idea for job creation. They love to complain when the cameras are rolling, but they are much more interested in hitting the links for mid-day rounds of golf than they are in job creation.
Taxpayers pay each legislator a daily stipend of $171, and it isn’t to subsidize Republican golf outings. They expect the GOP to actually put forward ideas, as Democrats have, to turn around our economy and put our people back to work.
Anyone who complains as much as the Republicans do should have at least taken the time to introduce a bill or put together some sort of plan before they hit the golf course. So far, Susana and the GOP have fallen far short of their own plan that they can take credit for on economic recovery.
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