Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.net
Former Gov. Bill Richardson (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
An analysis of political contributions by judges finds that “Richardson-era judges on average contributed far more to political campaigns in recent years than did judges enrobed during previous administrations.”
The analysis, from New Mexico Watchdog, was published today. Here’s the meat of the report:
“Members of the Richardson-era judiciary on average paid more than four times as much in political donations during recent years, compared to the recent political donations of long-time judges who remained through the Richardson era.
“A review of 677 political contributions from the state’s judges found that those appointed during the Richardson era gave twice as often and in each contribution gave four times as much as those who remained on the bench from an earlier era. The difference follows partisan lines.”
“…Altogether, New Mexico’s Democratic judiciary has contributed 20 times as much to political causes in recent years as did their Republican counterparts. Democrat judges and justices gave a total of $221,111, compared to $10,325 in Republican contributions. The average Democrat contributor gave a total of $4,072 during the years reviewed, compared to the average Republican contributor’s total of $988.”
Of course, that doesn’t prove pay to play or necessarily indicate a widespread conspiracy like that hinted at by investigators involved in the bribery case against Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy.
But the report is a fascinating read. Check it out by clicking here.