Albuquerque, NM - After months of touting her support for taking tax dollars out of public schools and giving them to private schools, or having the money “follow the child,” Susana Martinez is trying to make a complete 180 degree turn on the issue of school vouchers according to today’s Albuquerque Journal.  The Journal reported that Martinez said she did not support vouchers in the traditional sense. [Albuquerque Journal, 8/2/10] Diane Denish has pledged to fully fund and strengthen our public schools. 

“When it comes to funding our public schools, the choice couldn’t be clearer. While I have pledged to fully fund our public schools and make them stronger, Susana Martinez wants to take money out of our public schools and give it to wealthy private schools.  As much as Susana Martinez would like to abandon this unpopular position less than three months before the election, New Mexico’s parents, teachers and students won’t be fooled.” said Diane Denish, “Throughout this campaign, Susana Martinez has been very clear about her intention to take money away from our public schools so it can be spent on private schools. For good reason, that position is unpopular with New Mexico families – but Martinez can’t have it both ways.”

At an Otero County Republican forum in April, Martinez said: “We find that school choice is very important, parents having a say so in whether or not they’re going to have their child attend the local elementary school that may be failing their child, or if they get to receive a tax credit, voucher, whatever it is you want to call it, that that child should have in order to select a charter school, a Christian school, a Baptist, whatever kind of school that parent decides their child should go to. The dollars that are set aside for that child should follow that child and the parent knows best as to where that child should go to school.” [Otero County Republican Forum, 53:47, 4/1/10; emphasis added]

A mere two months ago Martinez was asked about school vouchers at a rally in Belen.  Her response: “I absolutely support empowering the parents to decide where your children go to school.  I think you should receive, each child receives a state, each child, when you attend public school, receives a certain amount of money. Local, State, Federal funding, goes to that school in reference to that one child…if that school is failing your child, then absolutely you should receive a tax credit in that amount, so that you can turn around and place your child in a Christian school, private school, home school, charter school.  You as a parent should be making those decisions - not us.  And if the school’s failing you, then maybe we’ll have some true competition for that child and the funds that come with the child.” [Martinez Rally, Harla Mays Fat Boy Grill, 28:20, 5/30/10]

Martinez also touted vouchers to the Roswell Daily Record and on 770 KKOB AM.  Martinez told the Daily Record, “I strongly believe that our education process is suffering,” she said. “We don’t have competition. I think the money should follow the child.” [Roswell Daily Record, 8/19/09] While on 770 Martinez said “I would support a tax credit making sure that parents aren’t stuck having their children in, in failing schools.  They can take those children to a charter school, home school them and then receive the tax credit that is provided for that child through the tax dollars.” [Martinez Interview on Villanucci, 770KKOB, 50:40, 4/20/10]

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(ALBUQUERQUE) -- Diane Denish today announced a bold plan to create high-tech and renewable energy jobs.

She announced her plan at the Silver Gardens Workforce Housing green apartments, an innovative workforce housing development that is applying for Platinum LEED certification and uses cutting-edge renewable technologies. Three-hundred New Mexicans were employed in the construction and development of Silver Gardens.

"These are difficult times and New Mexicans from all walks of life are hurting. That's why I believe the time is now for bold action to create jobs and give people hope for the future," Denish said. "Let my opponent focus on the past. I am going to be focused the the work that needs to be done to get New Mexicans back to work."

The Denish Plan for high-tech and green-job creation includes:

·      Innovate New Mexico: A statewide, high-tech development corporation focused on working with our federal labs and research universities to support the creation and marketing of tech-transfer spin-off companies.

·      A state Clean Energy Investment Pool -- By linking a portion of severance-tax revenue to incentives and programs for growing the clean-energy economy, we can target state capital to renewable-energy projects.

·      Create centers of excellence for green-energy development based at our research universities. These centers of excellence will go hand-in-hand with the goals of Innovate New Mexico.

·      Expand tax credits for clean energy companies -- Increase the Industry Research and Development Tax Credit to 10% for clean technology businesses and offer favorable tax treatment to startup founders to encourage them to stay in New Mexico.

·      Fight for the expansion of special assessment districts for renewable energy. I will take on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make sure this innovative program, which puts renewable energy directly into the hands of average homeowners, remains a viable green-job engine.

·      Support the creation of a green-job business incubator.

·      Encourage the conversion government car fleets to high-efficiency vehicles and natural-gas.

·      Ensure all new state buildings meet green standards, expand renovation of existing buildings and put all government utility bills online for the public to inspect.

·      Invest and bond for renewable energy transmission capacity so that New Mexico can sell its renewable power to other states.

·      Promote and develop deep-source geothermal energy using spent oil and gas wells. This new effort would be a great way to engage oil and gas companies in the green energy revolution and create jobs in the oil patch.

"Creating jobs takes a whole lot more than platitudes and sound bites, it takes hard work, innovative ideas and the courage to get it done," Denish said. "I've been a small business owner and I have a track record of creating jobs. As governor that will be my number one focus every day."

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(ALBUQUERQUE, NM) -- Susana Martinez likes to talk about ethics and government spending, but she shouldn’t throw stones when she lives in a glass house. Specifically, Martinez highlighted protecting the taxpayers’ dime and campaign finance reform – two areas where she has failed miserably. 

“Anyone who’s been paying attention knows that Diane Denish has been a leader in the fight for ethics reform. She signed the Sunshine Portal to put the state's checkbook online, took on her own party to reform the State Housing Authorities, and increased campaign finance reporting requirements,” said Chris Cervini, spokesman for Denish’s campaign. “We’re not going to take any lectures on ethics from someone who took $450,000 from the Texas multi-millionaire that funded the disgraceful Swift Boat Veterans ads.  From buying iPods with taxpayer money to spending tens of thousands on fancy office furniture, Susana Martinez should look at her own conduct before attacking someone else’s character.” 

Susana Martinez took $450,000 from Texas multi-millionaire Swift Boat funder Bob Perry and his wife during the primary.  The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ran a despicable campaign questioning the patriotism and service of John Kerry.

Last year, Denish rolled out a comprehensive ethics reform plan, which included the creation of a non-partisan, independent Ethics Commission.  

Read Diane Denish's Ethics Proposal here.

Denish also announced a plan to save taxpayers $450 million over five years through smart reforms and consolidations, including cutting political appointees, eliminating Cabinet positions and consolidating 100 boards and commissions.

Here are some examples of Susana Martinez's spending in just the past three years:

·        Over $120,000 on six new cars in two years

·        $60,000 on luxury furniture in just three years for her office

·        Over $1,000 In late fees for past-due bills

·        $760 on Starfish clocks for employees

·        $643.57 on Apple Ipod Nano’s, and even paid extra for overnight and 2 day shipping

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Albuquerque, NM - As Susana Martinez continues to launch frivolous and factually inaccurate attacks against Diane Denish, she is bringing the prince of financial mismanagement, RNC Chairman Michael Steele, to the Land of Enchantment for a fundraising event.  Steele has been widely criticized for mismanaging funds,  including such gaffes as an RNC staffer  running up a bar tab of nearly $2,000 at a risqué Los Angeles-area S&M themed topless club for a young Republican event.

“Washington is clearly more excited about Susana Martinez than New Mexico is,” said DPNM Chairman Gonzales.  “New Mexicans are scratching their heads wondering why Susana Martinez is jockeying for the national stage and selling her candidacy to the highest out of state bidder, instead of focusing on getting New Mexico out of the biggest economic recession since the Great Depression.”

By bringing in Chairman Steele to raise national money, Martinez is showing New Mexicans that she is the Washington candidate in the race.  Between Swiftboat, the Republican Governor’s Association, and Palin’s support Martinez’s candidacy has been bought and sold by the national right-wing interests to the tune of almost $1 million.  This is no surprise as Martinez has been catering to the Washington Republican insiders throughout her campaign, vying for the national stage, out of state contributions, and big endorsements from right-wingers like Sarah Palin.

“It makes perfect sense that Susana Martinez would bring Michael Steele to New Mexico, because she seems to be just as good at wasteful spending.  The only difference between Steele’s and Susana’s spending is that she is wasting taxpayer funds on expenditures such as starfish clocks, extravagant furniture, and even Ipods,” said Chairman Javier Gonzales.  “Not to mention the fact that while Chairman Steele’s employee blew RNC cash on a strip club party, Susana Martinez’s employees enjoyed spending taxpayer money at Hooters restaurants.  New Mexicans need a job-creator as their next Governor, not a government bureaucrat who wastefully spends the tax dollars of hard-working New Mexicans on fun at Hooters and over-nighting shiny, new Ipods on their dime.”

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Albuquerque, NM - This morning President Obama signed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that will make Wall Street banks accountable, end taxpayer funded “too big to fail” bailouts, and create a consumer financial protection agency that will help put Americans, and New Mexicans, back in control of their finances and their future.  

After failing to kill the bill, House Republican leader John Boehner and other Washington Republicans are already calling for the new law to be repealed.  In the largest economic crisis since the Great Depression, Americans have lost 8 million jobs and $17 trillion in retirement savings and net worth, and Washington Republicans are still putting partisan politics before the financial security of New Mexicans. 

"Wall Street reform protects consumers and stops big banks and corporations from taking advantage of the system at our expense," said DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester.  "The Republican policy of 'too big to fail', the policy that 1st District Congressional candidate Jon Barela supports, is something that New Mexicans cannot afford."

"When Steve Pearce was a member of Congress, he looked the other way while Wall Street and big banks gambled with the welfare of the American people.  Washington Republicans and Congressman Pearce would rather protect their friends and special interests than look out for New Mexicans.  Maybe that's why he has been silent on this issue," said James Hallinan, DPNM spokesman. "But New Mexicans want to know where Congressman Steve Pearce stands?  Does he stand with Republican leader Boehner, big special interests and Washington insiders in calling for the repeal of this bill, or will he stand up for New Mexicans and help protect their financial security?"

Hallinan added, "We also continue to see how out of touch Tom Mullins is with New Mexicans by putting forward a proposal to landmine the border, making offensive remarks following a tribal ceremony and siding with credit card companies over New Mexicans who are being hurt by arbitrary rate increases and unfair terms.  New Mexicans deserve to know where Tom Mullins stands on Wall Street reform. Does Mr. Mullins stand with New Mexicans who are sick of being hurt by Wall Street's irresponsibility or does he want to protect the very same big Wall Street banks who helped cause an economic collapse?"

DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales also released the following statement, "Republicans have made it clear – they’re going to stand up for big banks and other powerful special interests no matter what the cost to middle-class Americans.  If they have the opportunity, they’ll repeal all the progress enacted by President Obama and return to the failed policies of the Bush era – the same policies that led to the financial crisis in the first place. That’s why this year it is so important that people here in New Mexico, and all across America, support candidates who will fight for working families and stand with the President to overcome Republican obstructionism."

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Albuquerque, NM – Yesterday Susana Martinez unveiled her “small” business steering committee, but its members do not exactly represent the little guy.

In fact, it’s quite the who’s who of the state’s Republican elite and powerful interests looking to cash in on a Martinez administration that promises to dismantle consumer and environmental protections.  The steering committee list included: Robert Chase, Harvey Yates Jr., Mark Murphy and Leonard Lee Rawson.

“First it was hundreds of thousands of dollars from oil companies and Swiftboaters, and now Martinez is trotting out powerful interests and calls them small businesses.  Susana Martinez will do anything to cozy up to her powerful friends with deep pockets,” said Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales. “It’s becoming clear whose side Susana Martinez is on.”

Mitch Hellman, co-owner of Alotta Gelato in Silver City, said he supports Diane because she “gets it” and understands the struggles of small businesses. “Diane was a small business owner.  She's in touch -- she knows what we go through to make ends meet,” said Hellman. “When Diane talks about small business, it's because she has a true passion for helping the little guy get ahead.”

Here are just a few facts about Martinez’s steering committee:

Robert Chase, Vice President of Mack Energy

Mack Energy and its affiliated oil companies have given Susana Martinez more than $150,000 in campaign contributions thus far. Mack Energy has said water pollution could be natural phenomena,and is not the fault of the oil industry.

Roswell Oilman Mark Murphy

Murphy has given hundreds of thousands in contributions to Martinez and he and his related oil companies gave a whopping $435,000 to Republican Legislative campaigns in the 2008 election.

Harvey Yates and family

The Yates family and their associated companies are one of the largest holders of oil and gas leases in the nation.

Leonard Lee Rawson

Former politician who used state funds to pave a road that led to his commercial property.

“Diane Denish is focused on helping true small businesses – the mom and pop operations that are feeling the pinch of this economy,” Gonzales said. “There is one person in this race focused on the everyday struggles of New Mexico’s small businesses and working families – and it’s not Susana Martinez. ”

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Albuquerque, NM – New Mexicans got an interesting look at Susana Martinez’s leadership skills, or lack thereof, this week as she hid from and avoided confronting a controversy in her official office.  While Martinez was working the national right-wing talk show circuit, she should have been taking a leadership role to stop the inappropriate behavior in her D.A.’s office.  Martinez’s silence and inaction left many New Mexicans with the realization that she does not have the skills necessary to be Governor. 

“Susana Martinez revealed a lot to the people of New Mexico this week: no leadership, no action and no firm principles.  If it takes Susana Martinez three days just to criticize a racist and violent email sent by one of her prosecutors, then how can New Mexicans expect her to stand up for what’s right as Governor for our state?” asked DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales.  “Instead of showing New Mexicans that she is a leader, Martinez spent the week avoiding problems like a typical politician. That’s not going to inspire anyone.”

Timeline of the week in review:

Tuesday, June 29: The Associated Press exposes a racist email “joke” being circulated by state employees from Martinez’s 3^rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.  The email depicts a particular “New Mexico Girl” shooting and killing a Mexican man and Arab man with a .45 caliber gun because they are illegal aliens.  Martinez does not comment on the situation, but instead has a spokesperson merely call the email “inappropriate,” and state that the employee had been reprimanded.

Wednesday, June 30:  As outrage against the email and Martinez’s failure to act builds, the YWCA, LULAC, elected officials and members of the Hispanic and Arab communities hold a press conference in Albuquerque to demand a thorough investigation, call on Susana Martinez to condemn the racism, and immediately terminate the employee(s) involved.  Martinez remains silent.  Martinez also has her “drug cartel” claim shot down, again when New Mexico political reporter/blogger Joe Monahan writes about “another controversy that has kept the Martinez campaign hopping…” [New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan, 6/30/10]  Then, to round out the day, the NM GOP circulates a story boasting that Susana Martinez carries her .45 caliber gun everyday, further adding to the outrage of the “New Mexican Girl” in the joke.  Still no action from Martinez.

Thursday, July 1:  Instead of speaking out against racism in her own office, Susana Martinez appears on national conservative talk radio.  When asked by right-wing host Bill Bennett which Governors she admires most and wants to emulate, Martinez first said she admires “the courage” of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, even amid the growing controversy surrounding the racist and anti-immigrant joke from her office.  Later that day LULAC releases a statement calling on Martinez to take action, and then judicial candidate Rick Wellborn fires Lisa Kuykendall from his campaign as treasurer. Martinez still does not hold her own employee accountable.  Finally, after three days of intense pressure from the media and community, Martinez breaks her silence and speaks directly to the racist email from her D.A.’s Office.  However, she can only muster up a weak statement calling the joke “deeply offensive,” and fails to announce any meaningful disciplinary action or an investigation.

Friday, July 2:  Martinez has still not terminated Lisa Kuykendall, nor has she answered the following questions:

1.      What are the names and positions of the state employees who sent or forwarded the racist email from their state email accounts?

2.      What exactly does it mean when the District Attorney’s Office says that the prosecutor responsible was “disciplined” and “reprimanded”? 

3.      Will the state employee or employees responsible for sending the racist email continue to work for Susana Martinez?

4.      Why didn’t Susana Martinez show real leadership after learning of the violent, hateful and racist sentiments expressed in the email?  

The Democratic Party of New Mexico will continue to seek answers surrounding the racist behavior in the 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office and demand fair and appropriate action be taken.

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Three days after a racist email from an employee in Susana Martinez's DA's office became public Martinez finally issued a statement on the matter.  DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales released the following statement in response to Ms. Martinez's delayed response:

“It's unfortunate that it took three days for Susana Martinez to condemn this racist and violent email. Martinez’s failure to address this issue from day one speaks volumes about her willingness, or lack thereof, to speak up for what’s right.  Condemning racism should not be a difficult thing for a public official to do and Susana Martinez should have immediately sent a clear message that racism isn’t funny or acceptable.  If Martinez wants New Mexicans to believe she’s now sincere in her criticism of this racist email, she’ll terminate the prosecutor who thought it was funny and appropriate to use taxpayer money to send the so-called ‘joke’ around the District Attorney’s office. When it comes to racism, a mere slap on the wrist is simply unacceptable.”

Martinez has said that one prosecutor who sent the email was “reprimanded,” but has refused to explain to the public what that entails or whether that employee will continue to work for her.

Susana Martinez talks about holding people to the ethical standards to which she holds herself, but this incident proves otherwise. 

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