[Lwvcnmtopics] Who'll Get Appointed to Open Senate Seat?

[Trish Lopez]

Santa Fe New Mexican: "Don't Advance a Legislator Who's Married to a
Lobbyist"
<https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/dont-advance-a-legislator-whos-married-to-a-lobbyist/article_036d3930-4eed-11ed-a920-eb19e7eb23a9.html>

*Hi everyone,*

*I would like to thank Lora Lucero for bringing to our attention a very
compromised and high profile legislator seeking to fill the newly opened
senate seat that westsider Jacob Candelaria is leaving. Today she wrote the
Bernalillo County Commission to ask that we not advance politicians who
have very clear conflicts of interest that go unaddressed everyday (even by
their own party members). We may have elected officials even on this list
serve who might turn the other cheek when they see conflicts of interest
among their friends, and I'm hoping that ends. Whether our words make any
impact or not, **I recommend that **we, as league members, at least call
out these obvious conflicts given the ongoing corruption and quid pro quos
that have existed in NM forever. My family and I will join Lora in writing
our own email.*

*To email all commissioners, simply send your message to this one email: *
Commission at bernco.gov

*Here is Lora's letter (the article she refers to is posted above): *

Dear Commissioners,

I'm writing to urge you not to appoint Rep. Moe Maestas to the NM Senate.

This article in the Santa Fe New Mexican today explains the conflict of
interest which should disqualify him, as his wife is a lobbyist.

But the article fails to mention Alarid's role as lobbyist
<https://www.abqjournal.com/1508533/its-time-to-stop-the-santolina-ring-development.html>
 for the Santolina project which may not directly implicate Maestas'
responsibilities in the Legislature, but it demonstrates how deeply
enmeshed this couple is in New Mexico politics.  Whose interest does Rep.
Maestas represent --- the people of New Mexico or his wife's business
interests?

New Mexico needs to turn the corner on the pervasive corruption (appearance
and in fact) that has permeated our state politics for so long.

Please don't appoint Rep. Maestas to the NM Senate.

Sincerely,

Lora A. Lucero
PO Box 7638
Albuquerque, NM 87194
505-453-3938
LoraLucero3 at gmail.com

*Here is what my family and I are planning to send:*

Dear Commissioners,

On behalf of my family, neighbors and myself, we are writing to express our
wishes that you support the appointment of an uncompromised* community
member* to replace outgoing westside Senator Jacob Candelaria and not
long-time politico Representative Antonio Moe Maestas to this open seat.
Use this opportunity to give a chance to someone who does not have the
luxury of political connections. Mr. Maestas is welcome to run in 2024 like
anyone else in his position. We have always wondered how it's possible that
NM legislators like Mr. Maestas are allowed to continue their political
ascent despite being extremely compromised through conflicts of interest;
and in his case; being married to one of the most successful lobbyists in
New Mexico and *not* recusing himself from votes on bills for which she is
lobbying.

In addition to today's article (Santa Fe New Mexican: "Don't Advance a
Legislator Who's Married to a Lobbyist
<https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/dont-advance-a-legislator-whos-married-to-a-lobbyist/article_036d3930-4eed-11ed-a920-eb19e7eb23a9.html#comments>"),
there are multiple news pieces over the years that have discussed this
conflict, his spouse's profit-based work with the legislature, and his
refusal to recuse from her bills. When a legislator is married to a
lobbyist and is not disclosing that obvious conflict or disengaging from
votes on their bills, we are obviously left to wonder who they actually
represent -- and who among our elected officials will put a stop to this?
You have that opportunity now.

New Mexico residents have dealt with old school politics, quid pro quo, and
worse, for far too long. Our family asks that, as our elected
commissioners, you thoroughly research the applicants for this new open
seat, their work, their history, and their conflicts of interest before
supporting them with your vote.

Sincerely,

Trish Lopez, and on behalf of
Gregorio Lopez
Carmelita Lopez
Margarita Lopez
Andrew Francisco,
and our westside family:
Michael Lopez
Brendita Lopez
Alyssa Lopez
Emmanuel Lopez
Nicolle Lopez
Gabriel Lopez
Liana Lopez

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.


*Trish Lopez  <http://linkedin.com/in/trishlopez>*
*(310) 266-4128*
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