A national environmental group is giving away a gas-thrifty Toyota Prius in its bid to defeat U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce in his race for the U.S. Senate this fall, saying the hybrid electric car is a not-so-subtle reminder of the Hobbs Republican’s support for and from the oil industry.



The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund says the 2008 Prius — which now looks like a mobile, anti-Pearce billboard but eventually will be returned to its original bright red color — would save the average New Mexico driver $1,400 a year in gasoline expenses. That’s about as much in campaign contributions, on average, as Pearce receives from the oil industry every eight days, according to Ed Yoon, the action fund’s New Mexico campaign manager.



“With New Mexicans paying $4 for a gallon of gas, we can no longer accept politicians who look out for the interests of big oil rather than those of the average citizen," Yoon said in a statement. "Steve Pearce is simply wrong for New Mexico.”



Pearce has consistently voted against raising automobile mileage standards, Yoon said, at the same time accepting an average of $127,000 per election cycle in campaign contributions from oil industry backers. "He’s standing up for oil industry interests and not for New Mexicans," Yoon said.



Defenders is supporting Democratic Rep. Tom Udall in the Senate race, which it considers one of the most important in the country this election cycle. Udall currently holds a substantial lead over Pearce in polling, including a recent Rasmussen poll that showed the Santa Fe Democrat with a 28-point advantage.



The hybrid giveaway is open to New Mexico residents who are at least 18 years old and have a valid New Mexico driver’s license. To sign up or for more information, visit www.Wrong4NM.org. The winner will be selected in a random drawing in early November.



In the meantime, Yoon and other Defenders staffers will drive the $25,000 Prius around New Mexico to raise interest in the Senate race. It will be in Santa Fe today and Las Cruces on Wednesday, Yoon said.