Dem Sen. Martin Heinrich started digging at Republican Nella Domenici first, chiding her over her Wall Street background that made her extremely wealthy. Now Domenici has come with ads that strike back while Heinrich's latest will get special notice from Republican viewers.
Domenici's first hit on Heinrich uses a baseball analogy to take him down a notch. Here's the ad and the transcript:
Up to the plate. DC's Martin Heinrich, batting for the radical left, striking out for New Mexico.
Heinrich made the border crisis worse, backing amnesty for lawbreakers; voted against more border patrols; (Strike One).
Heinrich's policies fueled inflation as prices skyrocketed (Strike two).
And as crime surges Heinrich betrayed the blue, putting criminals before law enforcement--Strike three.
Heinrich, you're out.
The ad lays out the chief issues that Domenici will rely on for the remainder of the campaign. It is well-produced and the baseball gimmick is clever. But no emotional chord is struck that would turn voters' heads.
HISPANIC PLAY
Domenici's newest ad takes on on the all-important task of trying to get Democrats in a Dem-dominated state to vote for a Republican. Here's that ad featuring two Hispanic Democrats and the transcript:
Dem Voter 1: The almighty dollar has shrunk. Den voter 2: We are on a fixed-income. It’s very hard at the grocery store. It just hurts you in the pocketbook.
Dem voter 1: Martin Heinrich, where is he? Dem voter 2: What has he done for New Mexico? I don’t see anything.
Den voter1: Martin Heinrich has failed us. Dem voter 2: I’m a registered Democrat - I have been all my life, but…
Dem voter 1: We need a change. Dem voter 2: Someone that will stand up for the people. We need Nella.
Dem voter 1: Nella Domenici will deliver that leadership.
NELLA: I’m Nella Domenici and I approve this ad.
This ad should be more productive than her baseball play, specifically with Hispanic voters that have been waffling in their support of the Democrats for not concentrating on bread and butter issues.
Heinrich has embraced progressives but is wanting in his appeal to working class Democrats and native New Mexicans some of whom, even after all these years, see him as aloof or not relatable.
Also, Heinrich's thin legislative record after 15 years in the House and Senate leaves him open to questioning and being defined by Domenici. Expect to see his campaign take seriously Domenici's opening of that door.
A COMMUNIST PLOT?
Heinrich raises an emotional touchstone with GOP voters--her supposed financial association with China. The progressive Dem even uses the phrase "Chinese Communist Party" as if he were a Cold Warrior of bygone days and Domenici is a sympathizer. Here's the ad and the transcript:
Given the choice…who did Nella Domenici stand with? The Chinese Communist Party. A million times over.
Nella served as CFO of hedge fund Bridgewater, which made millions by pouring money into companies building China’s fighter jets. Bombers and aircraft carriers, Weapons of war that can be turned on America.
Our national security traded for her personal gain. Nella Domenici already chose a side. And it wasn’t ours.
We' haven't seen much red-baiting in recent election cycles from the Democrats but there it is. Heinrich can't expect to get many Republican votes, but if he can persuade some of them to pass over Domenici's name on the ballot, his goal will be accomplished.
Of course Heinrich has taken hundreds if not thousands of votes on national defense and security issues. It shouldn't be difficult for Domenici's campaign to find a couple that put him in bed with the "Chinese Communist Party." But they have to do the legwork.
PAYING FOR INDIA
The Guv, her husband and three staffers are on a 10 day trip to India to establish business and education connections. Her office reports the trip is being paid by the NM Partnership which is associated with the NM Economic Development Department. One news report said :
No tax dollars will be used for the governor's travel, which is being paid by New Mexico Partnership, an economic development agency in Albuquerque.
Another report said:
The New Mexico Partnership, an Albuquerque-based nonprofit group that
focuses on business recruitment efforts, is paying the cost of the
delegation’s travel, according to the Governor’s Office.
The Governor's news release on the trip stated:
The New Mexico Partnership is paying for the delegation’s travel.
However, as we learn from this Senior Alligator and state budget expert, the NM Partnership receives nearly all of their funding from the state:
Joe, regarding the Governor's India trip paid by the NM Partnership, the fiscal year 2025 Partnership budget is $1.13 million with $1 million coming from the state, according to a June board report. This is a likely General Fund appropriation to the Economic Development Department
So, while the impression may have been left that the India adventure was financed privately, the trip does appear to involve state tax dollars.
A mission statement from the Partnership says:
The NM Economic Development Partnership is an organization contracted by the New Mexico Economic Development Department. to assist businesses and corporations locate and expand in the state. They offer a wide range of services such as rela estate and site selection advancement, help with identifying and applying for incentives, facilitating the permit process, providing data on key business factors, strategic planning with key government and community officials and more.
