5 Governor Candidates Emphasize Backgrounds as Primary Nears (NM-R primary Tuesday)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | May 28, 2010 | Sean Olson

[CedarDave]

In their final televised debate before Tuesday's primary election, candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor agreed on top issues while emphasizing personal qualities they said make them the best bet for the job.

Susana Martinez, Allen Weh, Doug Turner, Pete Domenici Jr. and Janice Arnold-Jones all agreed on the importance of better securing New Mexico's border with Mexico and ending the practice of granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Weh, an Albuquerque businessman and retired Marine Corps Reserve colonel who served in Vietnam, Somalia and Iraq, pointed to his leadership abilities. He said his military experience of 38 years, his role as a business executive and his age make up a superior resumé. "I, personally, am at the peak of my leadership abilities," Weh said.

Martinez, the state district attorney in Doña Ana County, highlighted her career as a prosecutor, stressing her "proven record" as evidence that she can achieve results as governor. Martinez said she has a record of battling corruption, violent crime and illegal immigration issues and also characterized herself as the most "electable" of the candidates.

"I am the candidate who can defeat (Lt. Gov.) Diane Denish," Martinez said, referring to the only ballot candidate for the Democratic governor nomination Tuesday.

Other notable quotes from the candidates included:

• "I'm not afraid of anybody in Santa Fe, with or without a baseball bat," Weh said, referring to his tough personality and his previous promises to take a baseball bat to Santa Fe to clean up the system.

• "They come into this country in order to cause harm and make the people of New Mexico unsafe," Martinez said, referring to Mexican cartel members and other illegal immigrants she has dealt with as a district attorney.

[CedarDave]

In this majority Hispanic/Native American state, Weh is not going anywhere with his gruff, arrogant attitude. And his TV/radio ads against Martinez were so misleading that the state party chairman actually convened a three-person committee to review them which concluded they were way out of bounds.

While Martinez had one that was border line (about Weh supporting amnesty for illegals), his were over the top accusing her of tax fraud (she did not pay taxes on summer college students working in her office) and having lunch at Hooters (she charged about $14 for the lunch) and similar accusations. The state auditor cleared her of all issues and taxes were paid on subsequent summer hires.

[CedarDave]

NM list PING!

(The NM list is available on my FR homepage for anyone to use. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.

I will be out of computer range this weekend; members are free to use the PING list on my homepage for breaking NM news.)

[Tijeras_Slim]

I think Martinez can beat Denish. She clearly comes across as smarter and more competent.

Diane is the in the Patsy Madrid catagory for smarts IMO, and has tons more baggage.

[SpaceBar]

Having heard the debate yesterday on KKOB, Doug Turner was the clear winner.

[CedarDave]

New PING! to ask you to read Rogle's comments at the NM board regarding today's primary election for governor:

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/profiles?location=79

[CedarDave]

Another PING! Rogle has posted more information about Weh’s ads since the time of my ping early this morning:

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/profiles?location=79

[Tijeras_Slim]

I saw those comments. Weh would be a disaster running against Denish, he’s about as obnoxious as Dendahl without the looniness.