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| Haaland & Bregman |
The hits were an early sign of the progressive dislike for the Bernalillo county district attorney who is vying for the '26 gubernatorial nomination against Deb Haaland, a fave of the left.
Critical comments about the fundraiser included:
Bregman is having a fundraising event with oil and gas in Texas. Let that sink in. . .He has a plan "to support and strengthen" that industry. Might as well say "drill, baby drill."
And this:
He's already committed to prostituting New Mexico to the oil and gas industry.
But attacking candidates over fundraising comes with the danger of slipping into hypocrisy. For example. . .
While Bregman is attacked over his oil and gas fundraiser by climate change advocates and while the state deals with air pollution and water contamination from the industry, what about Haaland's acceptance of big liquor money?
Her latest finance report shows donations of $22,000 from Arizona Wine and Spirits. This as New Mexico continues to battle one of the highest rates of alcoholism in the nation and a staggering death rate caused by booze.
It's so bad that measures to increase the tax on alcohol have advanced further in recent legislative sessions than the past. This as the industry comes under increased scrutiny. New studies tie alcohol use even more directly to causing cancer.
And then there's the matter of a candidate who would be the first Native American governor in state history taking money from an industry that feeds the epidemic of alcoholism that has afflicted the Navajo Nation and other Indian communities for generations.
So Bregman is "selling out" to oil and gas and Haaland to the alcohol purveyors. When it comes to campaign cash neither candidate is holier-than-thou.
AND. . .
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| Miyagishima (Las Cruces Bulletin) |
I will never take money from a trial lawyer. I challenge Sam and Deb not to take any money from trial lawyers.
Hear that, lawyer Sam? Never mind the trial lawyers, drop the oil boys and lawyer Deb just say no to big booze. Then both of you can tell Ken it's his turn.
Video of Miyagishima's announcement is here.
MORE MONEY
Several readers asked if Bregman, who
reported receiving $1 million in total donations recently, had received
any of that funding from himself or his family. His campaign responded
that he had not donated any funds and that "no family money at all" was
contributed. Haaland has reported raising $3.7 million.
KELLER AND UBALLEZ
In the race for ABQ mayor, we get this commentary from reader Michael Garcia:
Tim Keller is running for an unprecedented third term as Albuquerque mayor. Third terms for members of the executive branch – whether for president, governor or mayor are bad for accountability and democracy. It’s an especially tall order for someone who has presided over the crime and homeless mayhem that has characterized our city the last few years.
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| Uballez |
I’m not sure who I am voting for yet, but I am really turned off by the thuggish tactics Keller has engaged in. Keller claims to be fighting Trump, but by seeking a third term like Trump and intimidating Democrats like Trump, he is taking a page out of the Trump playbook. That should be troubling to anyone concerned about the direction our federal government is headed under Trump.
On May 8 we reported:
Former US Attorney Alex Uballez signed Roadrunner Strategies consultants Dylan McArthur and Brandon Padilla to run his campaign, but in a sudden switch they are already gone. Roadrunner says the firm was not fired but left because there was an unspecified "potential conflict of interest" and that they wish Uballez "all the best."
Speaking of consultants. . The American Association of Political Consultants has named New Mexico consultant Brad Elkins “Democratic Most Valuable Player" for managing Senator Heinrich's '24 re-election campaign and that of California Senator Adam Schiff as well as his work with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.