Free Republic

Las Cruces Sun-News article, Gannett-USAToday Newspaper, Title and link only permitted.Teague: Congressional candidate should support NM energy industry

The attacks on Democratic Rep. Harry Teague’s personal character and his conduct as a businessman are intensifying in the tight race for New Mexico’s Second Congressional District. A brief recap: Last week, Republican challenger Steve Pearce came out with a tough TV ad accusing Teague of pocketing $3 million from his family energy business, and then announcing — four days before Christmas — that he would eliminate his employees’ health insurance. Teague responded with testimonials from five employees praising his integrity. Now, Republicans are pointing out that three of those employees were co-defendants in a sexual-harassment lawsuit brought against Teague’s...

It just keeps getting worse for southern Dem Congressman Harry Teague. Perhaps the biggest news from a Politico report is that Teague's oil-based fortune has plunged in value from an estimated $40 million to$5 million. That may not be a paltry sum, but Teague wrote himself checks for $1.7 million to get elected in '08. Would he be able or willing to do the same this cycle in which he faces a very difficult opponent in former GOP Congressman Steve Pearce? And then there is the $2.7 million lawsuit leveled against four companies Teague owns. The suits are over outstanding...

Where's Harry? That's what the state's Democratic establishment is wondering, a month after potentially devastating news was revealed about how the southern NM congressman was running his oil businesses. Freshman Teague has been as quiet as a feather falling since a Politico article unveiled how his Hobbs-based energy companies dropped health insurance coverage for its 250 employees and how Rep. Teague, contrary to his public promise, has not yet divested himself of his energy holdings. Dems ask: what gives? Does Harry want to win a second term or not? Democrats, especially in liberal Dona Ana County, where Teague must pull...