Allen Weh
Calling himself a “likely” candidate for governor, Republican Allen Weh announced in a news release that he has hired three new staffers and plans to add two more in the coming days.
That would bring to six the total number of staffers working on the former state GOP chairman’s exploratory committee. Weh formed the committee and hired a communications director — Christopher Sanchez — months ago. Since then, he’s been traveling the state campaigning full time.
“I can say that the exploratory phase of this campaign has been very successful,” Weh said in a news release. “And now we are preparing to take it to the next level. If I decide to enter this race for governor of New Mexico, I will do it in a way where we hit the ground running. We will be organized, we will be efficient, and we will be successful.”
Whitney Cheshire (a former columnist for this site) will serve as Weh’s exploratory committee manager, the release states. She has worked on several GOP campaigns, including Heather Wilson’s campaign for Senate, John Sanchez’s run for governor and Steve Pearce’s run for Congress. She’s a regular panelist on KNME-TV’s “In Focus.”
Robert Perea will serve as finance director and deputy campaign manager, the release states. Perea owns and operates an Albuquerque print shop and flag supply company with his wife. Perea has served as finance director for various organizations, and most recently served as secretary of the Republican Party of New Mexico.
Diego Espinoza will serve as political director for Weh’s exploratory committee. Espinoza, who was named Hispanic Student of the Year at Eastern New Mexico University in 2006, has spearheaded several Hispanic outreach programs, including the establishment of the Latino Leadership Summit at ENMU. Espinoza was appointed to the ENMU Board of Regents for his leadership and service to the community. He also worked for Wilson as community outreach liaison.
Weh said in the release that he is proud to bring on staffers who have a record of leadership and service in New Mexico.
“I am not just looking for people with good résumés; I want team members who understand their communities and have a strong connection to this great state and the people who live in it,” Weh said. “I believe we have the right combination of experience, commitment and excitement on our team, and I’m confident that, together, we will be successful.”
If Weh decides to enter the race, he’ll be joining Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez and State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones. In addition, public relations professional Doug Turner appears to be about to formally jump into the race, and Wilson, a former U.S. representative, says she’s thinking about running.