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Oil and gas gives big to Martinez
Susana Martinez
About half of the campaign contributions Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez received during the past six months came from the oil and natural gas industry, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.
The $215,000 the AP said Martinez raised from oil and gas donors from October 1 to April 5 includes $117,500 from Mack Energy Corp. of Artesia. In all, Martinez raised $428,064.67 during the reporting period.
The AP quoted Martinez’s campaign manager, Adam Deguire, as saying the contributions won’t affect Martinez’s decisions if she’s elected.
Update, 8:50 p.m.
Here’s a longer version of the AP article that’s worth reading.
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Susana strikes me as an ethical and strong leader. I agree that this is the only way she can compete with “General Warbucks” Allen Weh and his “scare the pants off everyone and take no prisoners” approach. Weh is no match for Diane denish with his harsh demeanor. Susana has the personality, presence and intelligence it takes to take on the Sante Fe Democratic Machine in November.
I was critical of Martinez since I’m from Albuquerque and did not know anything about her but I’m now convinced she should be the one. I don’t care that money came from one industry. All that matters is that she is fair to all parties and I think that’s what she will be. So when “sugar” throws out the pay for play accusation you would have to prove that got lots of oil money before September when she opposed the pit rule. It would be one thing if she said she was undecided back then and then took all this money later and then came back with “I oppose the pit rule.” Sounds like it was the other way around and that the oil industry is recognizing she’ll be a just and fair governor. Nothing is wrong with stating your principles out front and then letting supporters come your way. If only others operated this way our state wouldn’t be such a mess!!!
Susana Martinez said: I visited Hobbs in September and spoke with voters about the issues, and almost universally, they stated that we need to fix the pit rule. I responded that, as governor, I would address the pit rule immediately, recognizing the unnecessary and burdensome regulations it imposes on the oil and gas industry that impede growth and job creation.
And with pay for play is full swing the oil and gas idustry pumped over $200,000 dollars into the Martinez campaign
I wonder if anybody who comments on “lobbyists” and “special interests” with disproportionate access and influence have ever been anywhere near the legislative process or executive offices. Many times, especially in a state like New Mexico, the lobbyists are the experts in their field. They offer a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge, and information about the topics at hand. Yes, they obviously have their own agendas, but if you keep that in mind going into the research process, as I’m sure most people do anyway, it shouldn’t matter. These folks aren’t the boogeymen they’re made out to be!
It’s because of lack of financing reform why a great candidate like Susana Martinez has to depend on large companies like this to help the campaign. How do you expect her to compete with Allen Weh and his 750k loan to his own campaign? You think he would not try to get money from these same companies if he was not wealthy? Just because you use your own money does not mean you are a more qualified. I think Janice Arnold-Jones is also a great candidadate but she is having a hard time getting the money to compete. Thats the sad part of politics.
Don’t expect any campaign finance reform from Ms. Martinez – no way!
Ms. Martinez will now grow dependent on these same deep-pocketed special interests that she is expected to regulate if she become Governor. She will no doubt allow these companies’ lobbyists disproportionate access and influence. This alone should corrode any public trust in her motives and her campaign.