New Mexico’s experiment in public financing of campaigns appears to have slowed both candidates in the Public Regulation Commission District 5 race who opted to go that route.
The public money arrived for E. Shirley Baca, the Democrat incumbent, and Republican D. Kent Evans just before reports were due this week. Including $16,203.19 in public financing money, Baca reported contributions of more than $22,000, some $7,000 more than her challenger in the primary, Sandy Jones.
Baca hasn’t yet had time to spend much of her money. Jones has outspent her thus far by more than $4,000.
Evans apparently didn’t receive his public financing money in time to report it, and has come up with far less money this period than his two opponents in the Republican primary.
Baca reported raising a total of $22,183.19 and spending $7,480. She had a $500 donation to herself and several donations from public officials, including $100 from PRC Member Ben R. Lujan, $100 each from Las Cruces School Board Member Chuck Davis and his wife Helen, and $50 each from State Rep. Mary Helen Garcia and Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley.
Jones reported raising $14,800 and spending $11,741.15. He was given $500 by Las Cruces developer Edgar Lopez, a member of the New Mexico Border Authority and a big supporter of Richardson, and another $1,500 to $2,000 from companies owned by Lopez. (I’m not certain on one donation.) Keep in mind that Richardson called for Baca’s resignation following the alleged marijuana incident at the airport in Albuquerque.
The committee to elect John Arthur Smith also gave Jones $500, and Jones loaned himself $1,800.
Baca’s main expenses were signs and bumper stickers. Jones had those expenses, too, and also had a $5,800 expense for radio advertisements that have been running in the Las Cruces area.
On the Republican side, Evans reported raising $4,375 and spending $4,298.19. His campaign was given a total of $500 by various employees of the Borman Autoplex, a Las Cruces car dealership owned by former NASA astronaut Frank Borman.
C. Earl Greer reported raising $9,170 and spending $7,829.48. He had numerous donations of $500. Doyle Pruitt has raised no money, but loaned his campaign $15,000. So far, he reports, he has spent $12,333.51 on a ton of signs and bumper stickers.
Baca and Evans now have their money. We should see more of a push from them. Evans just bought a big billboard on U.S. Highway 70.
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There are only three local primary races in Doña Ana County.
In the magistrate judge Division III Democrat primary, incumbent Olivia N. Garcia reported raising $6,956.97 and spending $4,468.85. Her opponent, Maria E. Rodriguez, reported raising $4,506 and spending $2,352.19.
Garcia got $1,000 from Richardson supporter Lopez. She reported a total of $1,700 in anonymous contributions, including 15 of $100 each. Her campaign treasurer, Nadine Handy, donated $1,000, and State Sen. Mary Kay Papen gave an in-kind donation of $577.20.
Garcia loaned her campaign $1,956.97.
Rodriguez reported a $1,000 donation from Mac’s Meats of Las Cruces and a $500 donation from Robert Estrada, the owner of Roberto’s restaurant in Las Cruces. She also reported raising $2,166 at a March 25 enchilada dinner catered by Roberto’s and attended by 400 people.
In the county commission District 3 Republican primary, Ruben Gonzales reported raising $3,425 and spending $2,104.29. He loaned his campaign $1,000. Gonzales’ opponent, Mack Haley, raised twice as much – $6,845.30 – but spent only $788.91. He loaned his campaign $2,000.
Gonzales’ largest contribution came from Borman, who gave $1,000. Haley got $500 from Bowlin Travel Centers and $200 each from Sisbarro and Jack Key, both car dealerships.
In the probate judge Democratic primary, incumbent Alice Salcido reported raising $5,400 and spending $4,201.38. Her campaign treasurer, Judith LaPointe, gave $500. She also reported a $100 anonymous donation and a $50 donation from District Judge Gerald Valentine.
Salcido loaned $3,000 to her campaign.
Neri Frietze reported raising $3,865 and spending $3,121.31. He reported an in-kind donation of $3,500 from Roberto’s restaurant and $100 donations from County Clerk Rita Torres and Magistrate Judge Oscar Frietze, his brother.
Dino Villani’s campaign finance report was still not online Wednesday night.
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Lots of numbers, I know, but important to report. Edgar Lopez, Robert Estrada and Frank Borman seem to be the biggest players in local elections thus far. But there’s a lot of time left, and some very interesting races coming up in November, including two hot House races, two county commission contests and the sheriff race.
You can view all the campaign contribution reports by clicking here.
Thanks for reading. Come back tomorrow!
Note: An earlier version of this posting stated that Magistrate Judge Olivia N. Garcia reported a total of $1,800 in anonymous contributions, including 14 of $100 each.