I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
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Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Rio Arriba County Sheriff Joe Mascarenas, Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano and Valencia County Sheriff Rene Rivera appeared together in Albuquerque today to challenge Doña Ana District Attorney Susana Martinez’ record on prosecuting DWI offenders. The three Democrats attacked one day after Sarah Palin endorsed Martinez’ bid for governor.
A call to Martinez’ campaign has not yet been returned.
The sheriffs pointed to records from the New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts, showing that Martinez has accepted plea bargains from more than 1,000 felony DWI offenders, despite a 2004 promise.
In 2004, then candidate Martinez said that “We will not plea bargain a DWI case” and went on to say “We don’t pretend it is a first or second offense just to move the court docket along.” [Las Cruces Sun-News, 9/5/04]
The Democratic party of New Mexico, which organized the event, released these statements from the sheriffs:
Rio Arriba Sheriff Joe Mascarenas: “Maybe some politicians break campaign pledges and think nothing of it, but a broken promise on something as serious as felony DWI offenders is simply not forgivable. Susana Martinez should explain why she broke her campaign promise and gave these dangerous felons a pass.”
Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano: “Susana Martinez is running as a tough prosecutor, but a quick look at her record shows that she’s been misleading the voters. As a Sheriff, I see the death and tragedy caused by DWIs every day, so I know we need a Governor who takes these felony offenses seriously.”
“We need a Governor who is committed to being tough on DWI offenders, not a politician who says she’ll be tough and then turns around and lets more than 1,000 repeat offenders take the easy way out. It’s clear that Susana Martinez is all hat, no cattle.” said Rene Rivera, Valencia County Sheriff.
The party also provided the following document from the Administrative Office of the Courts:
