{"id":38068,"date":"2012-03-20T11:39:38","date_gmt":"2012-03-20T17:39:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=38068"},"modified":"2012-03-21T07:15:51","modified_gmt":"2012-03-21T13:15:51","slug":"lewis-drops-out-of-congressional-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/03\/lewis-drops-out-of-congressional-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Lewis drops out of congressional race"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Dan<\/a>

Dan Lewis<\/p><\/div>\n

The Republican expresses a desire to avoid a \u2018party splitting primary\u2019 and says the difficulty of raising money and his loss at Saturday\u2019s preprimary convention were factors.<\/h4>\n

This is a breaking news story that has been updated and may be again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Days after GOP insiders dealt his campaign a significant blow by giving opponent Janice Arnold-Jones<\/a> a huge win at the preprimary nominating convention, Dan Lewis<\/a> announced today that he\u2019s quitting the 1st Congressional District race.<\/p>\n

At a news conference in Albuquerque, Lewis said \u201cthe importance of the seat\u201d and \u201cavoiding the kind of party-splitting type of primary\u201d were factors in his decision, as were the difficulty of raising money and his showing at Saturday\u2019s preprimary.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud of what we did at that convention, but certainly that weighs in,\u201d Lewis said.<\/p>\n

Lewis\u2019 departure from the race all but clears the way for Arnold-Jones to be the Republican Party nominee in what is usually one of the hottest U.S. House races across the country. Assuming she prevails, Arnold-Jones will take on one of three Democrats \u2013 Marty Ch\u00e1vez<\/a>, Eric Griego<\/a> or Michelle Lujan Grisham<\/a> \u2013 in November.<\/p>\n

The other Republican in the race, Gary Smith<\/a>, failed to win the support of 20 percent of delegates at Saturday\u2019s convention, the threshold that must be met to qualify for the ballot. Though Smith can stay in the race by collecting more signatures, candidates who do that have an awful track record on Election Day.<\/p>\n

Still, Lewis declined to endorse Arnold-Jones and said there are two candidates in the primary race.<\/p>\n

In a statement released shortly after Lewis withdrew, Arnold-Jones thanked him \u201cfor the passion that he has brought to this race.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike many of us, he is concerned about the direction of our country; he sees that it is time for us to change the way Washington works,\u201d Arnold-Jones said. \u201cRunning for office is difficult on everyone involved. Many people do not see the sacrifice that families have to make in order to run for public office. It is honorable of Dan to put the needs of his family above all else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith called Lewis \u201ca stalwart conservative\u201d and said he looks forward \u201cto seeing what the future has in store for Dan Lewis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRepublicans voters now have a clear choice to make,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI put on our nation\u2019s uniform and swore to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States. I refuse to step aside while career politicians make a mockery of it. I want to make sure the people of the 1st\u00a0Congressional District have the opportunity to elect a fiscal and social conservative who shares their ideals and represents their values.\u201d<\/p>\n

An embarrassment for Lewis and the NRCC<\/h3>\n

On Saturday, Lewis won the support of 34 percent of delegates at the state Republican Party\u2019s preprimary nominating convention, but Arnold-Jones won 63 percent. Smith won 4 percent.<\/p>\n

Arnold-Jones promised to do that well a month before the preprimary<\/a>, but Lewis and Smith balked at her claim. Lewis told NMPolitics.net at the time, \u201cNo one outside her campaign believes she has anywhere close to 50 percent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arnold-Jones was right, and in spite of Lewis and Smith having a month to peel away her support, they failed to do it.<\/p>\n

Arnold-Jones\u2019 preprimary win was an embarrassment not only for Lewis, but for the fundraising arm of Republicans in the U.S. House, the\u00a0National Republican Congressional Committee<\/a>. Its chairman, Pete Sessions<\/a>, had already lent support to Lewis by saying the NRCC was \u201clooking forward to working with\u201d him because he\u2019d \u201cproven himself by meeting rigorous benchmarks.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Lewis significantly outraised Arnold-Jones \u2013 $223,151 to $80,579 at the end of the last reporting period \u2013 her preprimary win was expected to give her a fundraising boost.<\/p>\n

Lewis pointed out during today\u2019s news conference that all Republicans had been outraised thus far by the three Democrats.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the Republicans are serious about winning this race and reclaiming this seat, they\u2019d better get serious about giving,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been difficult for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lewis\u2019 decision to drop out came in the last two days. In spite of his loss at the preprimary, the Albuquerque city councilor said Sunday he was staying in the congressional race in a note posted on Facebook<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cAs planned, we are\u00a0proceeding\u00a0with\u00a0reaching\u00a0the 40,000 Republican voters who will cast their ballots\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0June 5th\u00a0Republican primary election.\u00a0That has been our goal from the beginning of the campaign,\u00a0and it remains our focus.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe number one\u00a0priority\u00a0of the Republican party\u2019s\u00a0pre-primary\u00a0convention is\u00a0for\u00a0a candidate\u00a0to earn\u00a0the support of\u00a0at least 20% of the delegates in order to earn\u00a0an official\u00a0place on the\u00a0primary ballot. With your\u00a0support, we far exceeded that goal and are\u00a0now\u00a0nicely positioned on the ballot. Thank you for your help with the convention;\u00a0now\u00a0it is on\u00a0to the\u00a0June\u00a0primary.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lewis\u2019 full statement<\/h3>\n

Lewis sent out this statement via e-mail following today’s news conference:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am announcing that I am withdrawing from the 2012 congressional race today to prevent a costly, party-splitting primary campaign. The democrats have made it clear they will hold nothing back, true or not, to cling to this congressional seat. Their candidates have already raised over a half million dollars. A contentious Republican primary will waste much goodwill and badly needed funds better spent in November campaign\u2019s against a heavily financed democrat opponent.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this congressional campaign, the democrats have fielded three recycled liberal career politicians peddling more big government schemes that further cripple the economic recovery we need so badly. I believe my decision today will increase the odds that our next congressman will represent the people, not continue to be another rubber stamp for more government and less liberty.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur campaign has stood for solid social and fiscal conservative principles of less government, less taxes, less regulation, more American innovation, more American energy, free markets, and private industry. Guided by these proven principles, not by tacking to the center \u2013 whether nationally or here in New Mexico, will the Republican Party lead America to strength and prosperity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am truly thankful for the encouragement and support so many of you have shown me and my family during this campaign. It is difficult to describe how much that has meant to us. Hundreds of people volunteering countless hours of their time have fueled this campaign and enabled me to meet and reach thousands of new friends across the first congressional district. Tracy and I will never forget your kindness and sacrifice.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dedication as an Albuquerque city councilor fighting for our families and small businesses has been deepened by this experience. I am also committed to help end the corrupt, one-party domination of our state by helping conservative Republicans win elections throughout New Mexico.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look forward to the future knowing there will be many challenging opportunities ahead for me to help and serve the people as a public servant, community pastor, and local small business owner.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Update, 3:25 p.m.<\/h3>\n

Griego put out a news release stating that Lewis \u201cand fellow Republicans are concerned about the strength of my campaign to fight for New Mexico\u2019s seniors, children and working families.\u00a0From the strong Democratic coalition representing working families, seniors, young people, conservationists and progressives supporting me, to the more than 14,000 individual donors powering my well-funded grassroots campaign, Janice Arnold-Jones must overcome our broad and deep political, grassroots and fundraising base of support.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, New Mexico In Focus<\/a> posted video of Lewis\u2019 news conference. You can watch it here:<\/p>\n