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…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
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.
This year only lawmakers in the state House of Representatives are up for election. And the Republicans are looking for some payback. The GOP is hoping to re-capture some of the seats the party has lost in recent elections to Democrats and maybe pick up seats from what they believe are vulnerable Democrats. And they’re raising enough money to make these races extremely competitive. Here’s a look inside the wallets of some of the most contested state House races.
Horowitz has more cash than O’Neill in District 15
Democratic Rep. Bill O’Neill, D-Albuquerque, raised more than $13,000 from June 25 through last week, according to a campaign finance report filed Monday. While he spent $19,000, using some of the $30,807 he had on hand at the start of the period, O’Neill still has more than $25,000 on hand heading into the election, according to his report. He’ll need it apparently. His Republican challenger, Justin Horowitz, raised $10,275 and spent $5,294.04. But Horowitz has a sizable war chest heading into November, with $31,000 on hand, his report shows.
Doyle keeps pace with Rodefer in District 23
Democratic Rep. Ben Rodefer raised just over $21,000 and spent $4,600, his report shows. Heading into November, Rodefer has $20,197 on hand, according to his report. His Republican challenger, David Doyle, kept pace, raising $21,000 this period while spending $5,600, according to his report. But Doyle had more money to begin with, so leading into November Doyle has more than $34,200 on hand – a $14,000 advantage over Rodefer.
Gentry has $44k to fight Giannini in District 30
Democratic Rep. Karen Giannini is on the Republicans’ hit list after she took out veteran GOP lawmaker Justine Fox-Young in 2008, perhaps the biggest surprise of that election cycle. Giannini’s campaign finance report was not on the Secretary of State’s website as of Tuesday morning. Candidates are able to apply for a hardship waiver, allowing them to file their reports in paper form. Perhaps Giannini went that route. Her Republican challenger, Nate Gentry, filed a report showing he’s raised $16,740 this period, while spending $15,351. Because Gentry started the period with $43,000, he has about $44,000 cash on hand. That’s a sizable war chest for a state House race.
McMillan raises twice as much as Steinborn in District 37
Democratic State Rep. Jeff Steinborn raised $8,975.00 this period and spent nearly $7,000. That left Steinborn with $17,000 on hand, significantly less than his Republican opponent. Republican Terry McMillan, who’s aiming to unseat Steinborn, raised $16,750.00 during this reporting period, spending only $3,880, Monday’s campaign finance report shows. But McMillan has $29,387.53 on hand, according to his report.
Lewis competes against Thomas in District 60
Democratic Rep. Jack Thomas’ campaign finance report was not on the Secretary of State’s website Tuesday morning, but his Republican opponent, Timothy Lewis, filed on time. His report showed contributions of more than $9,000 and $4,000 in spending, leaving him with $5,000 on hand.
