Matthew Chandler

I am a prosecutor by choice. I’m not in this job for a pat on the back; my gratitude comes only from knowing that I am taking on a tide the size of a tsunami, filled with crime and corruption, which, if left unchecked will rob New Mexico of it’s true potential. This tide has stripped us all of the ability to trust public officials in our state.

All my opponent manages to do is talk, but if you compare our records, only one of us has been in the trenches with law enforcement fighting the good fight. That’s why law enforcement groups across the state are backing my candidacy, and I am honored by their support. I know that if we do not restore faith in our government, New Mexico will never be able to progress where it needs to the most – the economy, jobs, and our education system.

With only a few days left in this election, my opponent has launched a nasty, unprovoked attack. He’s running a mud-slinging ad attempting to rewrite history by maligning my record as a district attorney, which includes convicting more than 30 killers. There’s one reason he’s doing it: because he’s about to lose his job. If you are interested in my response to these outlandish claims, and my involvement in each of these cases, read more here.

As a career prosecutor, I can tell you that it takes a strong team of police and prosecutors to convict a killer. It’s not easy to respond to a crime scene and view the lifeless body of another person, and set it all aside to gather the proper evidence needed to sustain a conviction. Telling someone that one of their family members has been murdered is one of the most difficult tasks I’ve ever been forced to do. Signing a death penalty notice was no easier.

And asking a jury to convict a group of cowards that shot and killed a 10-year old boy in his sleep and pleading with a judge to send the defendants to prison forever is a no-win situation – because at the end of the day the victim doesn’t get the justice he deserves, and neither do the defendants.

All of which my opponent has never experienced, which is why he is so quick to try and discredit our efforts.

The choice is clear

I am the only candidate in the race who has built my career as a prosecutor. I am not leapfrogging up the ladder of political opportunism as my opponent has made a habit of doing. Remember his unsuccessful run for governor? Remember when he moved to Southern New Mexico so he could make a play for the state’s Second Congressional seat? Ask my opponent if he has ever personally prosecuted a felony case – the answer is no.

Roger Grah, captain of the Clovis Police Department and commander of the state’s Ninth Judicial District’s major crime unit, was so appalled at the attorney general’s accusations that he stated, “Matt Chandler has personally worked every homicide case he claims to have worked – from the crime scene to the courtroom. Shame on Gary King for calling into question Matt’s tireless service on behalf of victims. And shame on him for attacking Matt’s character in such a vicious, public and unfounded manner.”

It is clear that my opponent’s last-ditch attempts to disparage me are what many have come to expect from career politicians, but they are nevertheless unbecoming of New Mexico’s attorney general.

Thousands of New Mexicans have yet to decide whom they will vote for in the AG’s race, but the choice is clear: a career prosecutor or a career politician.

Chandler is the Republican candidate for attorney general.