The City of Albuquerque municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2. On the ballot will be the office for Mayor, the 5 odd numbered City Council Districts 1,3,5,7, and 9 seats and a voter bond approval request for $50 million dollars to build a soccer stadium.
Under the City of Albuquerque’s campaign finance laws, a Measure Finance Committee (MFC) is a political action committee (PAC), person or group that supports or opposes a candidate or ballot measure within the City of Albuquerque. Measure Finance Committees are required to register with the City Clerk within five (5) days once they have raised or spent more than $250 towards their purpose.
Measure finance committees are not bound by the individual contribution limits and business bans like candidates. No MFC is supposed to coordinate their activities with the individual candidates they support running for office, but this is a very gray area as to what constitutes coordination of activities and it is difficult to enforce.
According to City Clerk records, 12 measured finance committees have been formed for the 2021 municipal election. Those MFCs are as follows:
“Save Our City” organized to raise money and to promote Sherriff Manny Gonzales
“Retired Law Enforcement for a Better Albuquerque”
“Build Back ‘Burque” is raising money to promote and spend money on behalf of Mayor Tim Keller.
“Abq Firepac” promoting the local fire fighter union interests.
“Albuquerque Ahead” to promote Republican party City Council Candidates
“No Corporate Council” to promote progressive Democrat party City Council Candidates.
“ABQ Workers First” to promote organized labor interests and candidates.
“New Mexico United For All” to promote the $50 million soccer stadium bond issue.
A MFC formed by the New Mexico American Civil Liberties Union.
A MFC formed by “Planned Parenthood” of New Mexico.
A MFC formed by a progressive neighborhood group called “Indivisible Nob Hill”.
A MFC called “Healthy Economies Lead to Progress” with the stated purpose as “Independent Expenditure”.
This blog article reports on the funds raised by the MFC’s, an analysis of their purpose and intent as well as the fundraising of the 3 candidates for Mayor.
SIXTH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS FILED
On September 13, the MFCs filed their 6th Financial Fundraising reports covering the reporting period of August 3 to September 6 reporting what they have raised, listing donors and expenditures. Following is a breakdown and editor’s analysis of the reports filed.
1. ABQ FIREPAC
PURPOSE: Support candidates who support public safety & fire fighter issues.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $150.00
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $1,000
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD $350.00
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $800.00
MAJOR DONORS: ABQ Area PAC Local $1,000.00
MAJOR EXPENDITURE: $350 paid to “Just Yard Signs”
Editor’s Analysis: This is the local firefighters MFC. In the past, the firefighter’s union has expended significant amounts of money supporting Mayor and City Council candidates and have been very involved with the campaigns providing volunteers and spending thousands on TV commercials produced on their own. It appears the local firefighter’s union has significantly pared down their involvement in this year’s Mayor and City Council races.
2. ABQ WORKERS FIRST
PURPOSE: To advocate for or against candidates running for mayor and city council.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $30,000
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $30,000
MAJOR DONOR: New Mexico Federation of Labor ( Total Donation: $30,000 )
Editor’s Analysis: It is clear from the one donation of $30,000 from the New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL CIO or organized labor in the city has decided to go it alone with raising and spending donations. The New Mexico Federation of Labor in the past has made donations to other measured finance committees or individual candidate campaigns. It is also clear that ABQ WORKERS FIRST fundraising is to defeat Gonzales and Albuquerque City Council candidates Dan Lewis, Renee Grout and Louie Sanchez.
3. ALBUQUERQUE AHEAD (City Council MFC)
PURPOSE: To support those candidates for city council who will move Albuquerque ahead and oppose those who will not.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $17,853.42
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $3,950.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $7,579.45
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $14,223.97
Editors Analysis: When you examine the campaign finance reports filed by Albuquerque Ahead, it is easy to figure out that it is a measured finance committee established by the Bernalillo County Republican Party to promote 2 Republican candidates for City Council. The 5th finance report filed by Albuquerque Ahead reflects that on July 7, 2021, the Bernalillo County Republican Party donated $9,000 to this MFC. The two Republican candidates being supported are former Republican City Councilor Dan Lewis who is running in District 5 against incumbent Democrat Cynthia Borrego. Republican Renee Grout is running for the City Council District 9 seat being vacated by long time serving, unknown, ineffective and unaccomplished Republican Don Harris. The one major expenditure of $5,184.00 is to Majority Strategies, a Republican leaning political consulting firm.
4. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, INC NEW MEXICO VOTES
The ACLU has filed no finance reports and ostensibly has had no contributions.
PURPOSE: To educate New Mexico voters about the upcoming Albuquerque mayoral race and the various civil liberties issues at stake.
Editors Analysis: This MFC is somewhat of a head scratcher, until you realize Sheriff Manny Gonzales is running for Mayor. Normally, you do not see the American Civil Liberties union get involved in local elections but it’s likely they have done so this election year because Sheriff Manny Gonzales is running. During the past few years, the ACLU has initiated at least 3 lawsuits against the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office for excessive use of force and racial profiling regarding African Americans. The fact no finance reports have been filed as yet likely signals that they view Manny Gonzales no longer a threat to incumbent Democrat and Progressive Mayor Tim Keller.
5. BUILD BACK ‘BURQUE
PURPOSE: Support Mayor Tim Keller’s re-election to a second term for the City of Albuquerque
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $25,826.44
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $42,408.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $16, 464.00
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $51,770. 44
Editors Analysis: The Chairperson for “Build Back ‘Burque” is Michelle Mayorga. According to the American Association of Political Consultants “Michelle Mayorga has spent nearly 2 decades working on campaigns, progressive issues, and in local and national administrations. She previously served as Western Field Director at the AFL-CIO, Western Political Director at the DCCC, and Coordinated Director for the Democratic Party of New Mexico in 2012.” The Treasurer for “Build Back ‘Burque” is Robert Lara. Mr. Lara is a licensed New Mexico attorney and is the former State Treasurer of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.
The largest donors to the Keller MFC “Build Back ‘Burque” include Ace Metals and Kimberly Rael, the wife of current City Chief Operating Officer (COO) Lawrence Rael, who each gave $5,000. The PAC spent the most money this period on campaign consulting from Maryland-based New Blue Interactive.
6. HEALTHY ECONOMIES LEAD TO PROGRESS
PURPOSE: Independent Expenditure
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
Editor’s Analysis: This MFC is another head scratcher and there is insufficient information to indicate what its purpose is. The Chairperson is identified as SIMON (SCOOTER) T. HAYNES and the Treasurer is identified as JULIA L MACCINI. Both Simon T. “Scooter” Haynes and Julia Maccini are conservative Republicans who ran and lost in June, 2021 for the Board of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). Haynes is a developer who owns a real estate and construction business based in Albuquerque. Julia L Maccini is believed to be an attorney and believed to be the Development Coordinator at SCM Partners, LLC a limited liability corporation. Simon T. “Scooter” Haynes lost to incumbent Joaquin Baca in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) board race. Baca’s campaign manager was Neri Holguin, the campaign manager for Mayor Tim Keller.
Links to source material are here:
https://abq.news/2021/06/mrgcd-candidate-gets-only-26-of-vote-immediately-claims-fraud/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maccinij
7. INDIVISIBLE NOB HILL
PURPOSE: Support and or oppose city council, school board and mayoral candidates
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: – $0-
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
There have been no major donors nor expenditures.
Editor’s Analysis: The Indivisible Nob Hill is a very well organized and respected progressive organization that has emerged over the last few years as being very much involved with local community issues. It has a well-read FACEBOOK page “Indivisible Nob Hill – Rants and Discussion Forum” that recently has begun posting “Crooks for Manny” along with photographs of well know mobsters, such as Al Capone, John Gotti, mafia hitman Whitey Bulgar and Carlo Gambino to mention a few. The phrase “I’m a crook, and I’m for Manny!” is next to the gangster photos along with a photo of Sherriff Manny Gonzales. Nasty but effective.
8. NEW MEXICO UNITED FOR ALL
PURPOSE: Support bond issue
Designated Chairperson: David M Carl
Designated Treasurer: Desiree Kim
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $35,000
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD:
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $35,000
MAJOR DONOR: New Mexico United Total Donation $35,000
Editor’s Analysis: This measured finance committee has been formed to raise donations to promote the $50 Million bond issue for a multipurpose sports stadium with the New Mexico United Professional Soccer team to be the primary tenant of the city owned facility. To date, no financial disclosure statements have been filed.
New Mexico United Professional Soccer team is the sole donor to this measured finance committee. The committee has already begun an ad campaign to encourage voters to vote and approve the $50 million bond issue. Voters are being asked if the city should issue up to $50 million in bonds to help fund the soccer stadium which is estimated to cost $65 million to $70 million.
It has been reported that according to terms of a “letter of intent to lease”, New Mexico United would contribute $10 million to help construct the proposed multiuse soccer stadium and pay $800,000 annually in base rent to be the venue’s primary tenant. The team would also have to pay the city another $100,000 per year but otherwise get to keep all revenue generated by the stadium outside of specific city-organized events. Voter approval is not technically required for this type of bond and is backed by the city’s gross receipts tax revenue. However, Mayor Tim Keller, a big promoter of the stadium, has said he would not pursue the stadium if the bond fails.
https://www.abqjournal.com/2432115/united-outlines-planned-stadium-investment.html
9. NO CORPORATE COUNCIL MFC
PURPOSE: To support progressive candidates for mayor and city council.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: – $0-
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
There have been no major donors nor expenditures reported.
Editor’s Analysis: The name of this MFC tips the public off to the intent and purpose of this MFC in that it is a takeoff of the popular slogan “No Corporate Democrats”, a slogan used by progressive democrats to defeat conservative Democrats in primaries. The chair person of No Corporate Council MFC is listed as Melanie Aranda and the Treasurer is listed as Michaela Gallegos who has a “Working Families Party” email address and is believed to work for New Mexico Political Reports. Melanie Aranda is the Chief Operating Officer and Founding Member of the Center for Civic Policy (CCP), a progressive political strategy group, and the Co-Director of the NM Civic Engagement Table.
https://civicpolicy.com/staff/
Michaela Gallegos is believed to work for New Mexico Politcal Reports
The “No Corporate Council” MFC was likely formed to offset the fund-raising activities and efforts of Albuquerque Ahead, the City Council MFC organized and raising donations for Republican City Council candidates Dan Lewis and Renee Grout.
10. PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES ALBUQUERQUE
Purpose: Support candidates that support women’s reproductive healthcare and oppose those that don’t.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: – $0-
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
There have been no major donors nor expenditures.
Editors Analysis: In 2013, Planned Parenthood became actively involved in the municipal election to oppose the “late term abortion” initiative that was successfully place on the ballot by a voter petition initiative. Then Incumbent Mayor Richard Berry supported the initiative and the banning of all late term abortions in the city. Sensing that the issue could derail his re election efforts, the Republican controlled city council declined to place it on the municipal election ballot with the mayor’s race and instead funded a “special election” so as not to interfere with the 2013 mayor’s race. Planned Parenthood is a considered by many as a one issue organization dedicated to preserving a woman’s right to choose. It is more likely than not Planned Parenthood have registered a MFC for over concern that a new Mayor or the City Council will again attempt to ban late term abortions in the city.
11. RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR A BETTER ALBUQUERQUE
PURPOSE: Support Albuquerque mayoral candidate who will improve the quality of life for its citizens as well as oppose candidates that are detrimental to the future growth and safety of Albuquerque.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $11,120.00
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD -$0-
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
One in kind contribution from Patrick J. Rogers in the amount of $2,678.00 for legal services rendered.
Editor’s Analysis: The chairperson of the “Retired Law Enforcement for a Better Albuquerque is Jason Katz and the Treasurer is listed as Sistine Jaramillo. Upon information and belief, Jason Katz is a former and retired Chief Deputy of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and is a longtime supporter and has worked for Gonzales. No background information could be located on Sistine Jaramillo. Pat Rogers is a private attorney and is considered by many as a conservative Republican Party-political operative who works on promoting and assisting conservative causes. Mr. Rodgers is a former National Committeeman of the Republican Party and 4 years ago filed ethics complaints against the candidate for Mayor Tim Keller.
12. SAVE OUR CITY
PURPOSE: To address the serious crime and leadership problem in Albuquerque
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $121,271.81
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $12,672.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $41,941.12
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $92,002.69
TOTAL IN KIND DONATIONS: $2,800.00
Editor’s Analysis: The Chairperson of this MFC is Sam Vigil, the widower of Jackie Vigil who was shot and killed in her driveway in the early morning hours as she was going to the gym. Sam Vigil has been highly critical of Mayor Keller and known to support Manny Gonzales for Mayor. Given the loss of public financing by Sheriff Manny Gonzales, Save Our City should change its name to “Save Our Manny” in that it appears it is the only lifeline left for the candidate to raise money and to go negative on Keller.
The MFC “Save Our City” received its largest contributions from Don Bassard, Robyn Hendrexson and Richard Luna, each donating $2,000. The “Save Our City” spent $17,850 on media production and ad buys through Three Point Media.
The City Clerk link to the listing of all 12 measured finance committees and the finance reports is here:
https://www.cabq.gov/vote/candidate-information/2021-candidates
MAYOR CANDIDATES’ FINANCIAL REPORTS FILED
Both Mayor Tim Keller and Sheriff Manny Gonzales have filed their 6th Campaign finance reports.
TIM KELLER 6TH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT
Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller is the only candidate for Mayor that qualified for Public Finance and given $634,179.05 by the city. On August 9, the Keller Campaign filed the 6th Campaign Finance report:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $602,584.56
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $77,874.94
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $524,709.
Upon qualifying for Public Finance, the City of Albuquerque advance a single lump sum of $634,179.05 for the campaign.
Editor’s Analysis: The Keller campaign’s largest expense reported in the 6th campaign finance report was $59,331 paid to the Keller campaign manager Neri Holguin’s consulting firm. The 5th campaign finance report revealed that Neri Holguin Campaign Consulting was paid $23,732.50.
The Keller campaign reported $35,470 worth of in-kind services, including $2,500 in private investigator services, $17,970 from lawyer Lauren Keefe and $15,000 worth of rent from Ed Garcia who is a principal in the Garcia Automotive Group and also a principal in the company that purchased the historical Rosenwald Building in downtown Albuquerque for $300,000 in the form a of “lease back” arrangement to the city for a police substation in the Rosenwald Building once it is remodeled into luxury condominiums.
The Mayor Tim Keller campaign has already produced television ads and is now running those ads. The link to review the first Keller ad is here:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=206512188095449
MANNY GONZALES 6th CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT
The City has qualified Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales to appear on the November municipal ballot finding he gathered the 3,000 qualifying signatures. However, the City Clerk denied Manny Gonzales the public financing finding impropriety in the collection of his qualifying $5 donations Gonzales is continuing as a privately finance candidate.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $26,667.66
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $14,385
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $20,223.03
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD $20,829.63
Editor’s Analysis: The Gonzales campaign’s largest expense was $12,277 paid to Republican political operative and political media strategist Jay McClesky. The Gonzales campaign spent $3,750 with a Missouri-based firm for a “research report on Mayor Timothy M. Keller.”
Despite 3 months of litigation over public campaign financing, Gonzales reported for the second straight month no spending on attorneys or receiving any in-kind legal services. It has been reported the Gonzales campaign has not yet received legal bills but will report the expenditures for legal services.
EDDY ARAGON’S 6th CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $31,935.50
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $18,575.34
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $13,360.16
Editor’s Analysis: Eddy Aragon’s largest contributor was Matthew Monte, who gave $2,000. His largest expenditures were two T-shirt orders totaling $10,713.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Both Mayor Tim Keller and Sheriff Manny Gonzales sought to run on public financing, but only Keller was given the public financing. City Clerk Ethan Watson twice denied to certify Gonzales for public financing after finding that the Gonzales campaign had submitted forged signatures in the $5.00 qualifying donation collection process. Gonzales appealed the city clerk’s denial of public finance twice, but his efforts failed in both the state District Court and Supreme court. Gonzales is now running as a privately finance candidate.
Third-party fundraising for Sheriff Manuel Gonzales’ Albuquerque mayoral candidacy has essentially come to a standstill in the last month as a result the negative publicity over his loss of public financing while political action committee contributions for incumbent Tim Keller’s reelection bid accelerated.
The measured finance committee (MFC) Save Our City backing Manny Gonzales still has more cash on hand, $92,003, than the MFC “Build Back ‘Burque” committee backing to keep Keller in office, $51,770. However, the 6th campaign finance report shows the Keller MFC raised more during the reporting period. The Keller MFC Build Back ‘Burque raised $42,408 compared to $12,672 raised by the MFC Save Our City that supports Gonzales.
According to the 6th campaign finance reports, Gonzales has $20,830 in his campaign account compared to Keller’s $524,710. Republican radio station owner and talk show host Eddy Aragonis running a privately funded campaign. Aragon reported that he raised $31,936 in the most recent reporting period and has $13,360 remaining after expenses, according to his report.
THOSE DAMN POLLS
Complicating things for Gonzales is that confidential sources are saying that a poll is circulating showing Tim Keller with 57.3 % support, Manny Gonzales at 23.2% and Eddy Aragon at 16.1% and 3.4% undecided. There are no details as to how many were polled, when the poll was taken, how it was taken nor of the margin of error.
Notwithstanding, on September 12, 2020, the Albuquerque Journal published a poll it commissioned that showed nearly three years into his first term as Albuquerque’s mayor, Tim Keller had nearly the same high level of support that he had less than one year after he took office. Among likely city voters, 60% approve of Keller’s performance, 22% disapproved of his performance and 19% had mixed feeling or did not know. That is close to the results of a 2018 Journal Poll that found Keller had a 61% approval rating after his first nine months in office, when many officeholders still experience “honeymoon” ratings. A link to the Journal article is here:
https://www.abqjournal.com/1495901/mayor-keller-maintains-his-high-approval-rating.html
A word of caution is in order as to polling. Four weeks in a political campaign with a low voter turnout, which is expected, is an eternity in politics and anything can happen. Keller is sitting on $524,709 in funding and will be unleashing a relentless media ad campaign spending the lion’s share of that in 4 weeks. Unless Gonzales and Aragon can raise upwards of $300,000 each for a reasonable TV buy, it’s likely the Tim Keller will be elected to a second 4-year term on November 2, unless there is an October surprise that changes the outcome of the election and forces a runoff.
CONCLUSION
The election is Tuesday November 2. Please vote.
Links to quoted source material are here:
https://www.cabq.gov/vote/candidate-information/2021-candidates
https://www.abqjournal.com/2428870/pac-backing-keller-out-raises-competition-in-august.html