The runoff elections for City Council Districts 7 and District 9 are scheduled for December 7. The run off in City Council District 7 is between Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn running against Republican Lori Robertson. The runoff in City Council District 9 is between Democrat Rob Grilley, 37, running against Republican Renee Grout, 60.
The Republican party is making a serious attempt to secure a majority of 5-4 on the City Council, but that will require winning of the District 7 and District 9 city council races in the runoff. District 7 is currently represented by two term Democrat progressive Diane Gibson who decided not to seek another term. District 9 is currently represented by 4 term conservative Republican Don Harris who also decided not to run for another term.
After the November 2 election, there are 4 Democrats and 3 Republicans on the new city council.
The 4 Democrats are:
District 1 Louis Sanchez (Elected on November 2 defeating Lan Sena.)
District 2 Isaac Benton
District 3 Klarissa Peña (Ran unopposed on November 2 .)
District 6 Pat Davis
The 3 Republicans are:
District 5 Dan Lewis (Newly elected on November 2)
District 4 Brook Bassan
District 8 Trudy Jones
FOLLOWING THE MONEY
Four run off campaign finance committee reports have been filed with the Albquerquerqu City Clerk by the 4 candidates running for city council. Eight Measured Finance Committees (MFC’s) formed to support and promote the city council candidates have also filed reports. The reports filed for each were filed weekly and were due on November 8, 15, 22 and 29 listing amounts and who donated to the campaigns.
The 4 City Council candidates have raised $143,543 in one month. The 8 MFC’s have raised over $232,178 has been raised in one month to promote the 4 candidates.
The city link where you can fine and review all City Council and Measured Finance Committee Finance Reports filed is here:
https://www.cabq.gov/vote/candidate-information/2021-candidates
Below is a breakdown of the candidates and the measured finance committee fundraising.
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 RUN OFF FINANCIAL REPORTS
District 7 is the Mid-heights council district that includes Coronado Shopping Center and Uptown surrounding areas and parts of the near northeast heights with Lomas, Carlisle and Menaul all part of the southern border, Montgomery as the Northern border and Eubank as the Eastern Boarder. On November 2 Republican Lori Robertson came in first securing 32% of the vote as a privately financed candidate spending $72,687. Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn came in second with 24% of the vote and she was a public finance candidate spending $44,194. Both Robertson and Fiebelkorn are now privately financed candidates for the December 7 runoff election.
Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn and Republican Lori Robertson have essentially the same amount of financing going into the final week of the campaign. Fiebelkorn has $32,776 and Robertson has $32,508.92 on hand for the last week of the campaign. Fiebelkorn has raised $5,970 and Robertson has raised $6,705 for the 4th run off reporting period.
DEMOCRAT TAMMY FIEBELKORN CASH BALANCES
Following are the contributions and expenditures contained in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 by Tammy Fiebelkorn:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $37,864.09
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $5,970
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $11,057.63
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $32,776.46
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO TAMMY FIEBELKORN
The major contributors to that can be gleaned from all 4 runoff reports to Tammy Fiebelkorn are as follows:
NEW MEXICANS FOR [Governor] MICHELLE, $1,499.00
Downs Race Track Casino Owner PAUL BLANCHARD, $1,499.00
CHARLES FRESQUEZ, $1,499.00
CARLOS GARCIA, $1,499
LOBO LEADERSHIP FUND, $1,499
STEVEN CHAVEZ, $1,499
Construction contractor RUDY GUZMAN, $1,499.68
State Senator Mimi Stewart (PEOPLE FOR MIMI STEWART), $1,000
Former County Commissioner JIM COLLIE $1,000
JOHN LIEBENDORFER, $1,000
ANIMAL PROTECTION VOTERS $1,000
COMMITTEE TO ELECT JAVIER MARTINEZ, $1,000
JOE CRUZ, $1,000
DAVID SMOAK, $750
RICHARD KUHN: $500
KRISTINA ORTEZ, $500
AHORA PAC, $500
JUAN FERNANDEZ. $500
KELLY O’DONNELL, $500
BETSEY SWAN, $500
MERRI RUDD, $445
City Councilor ISAAC BENTON, $300
PHILIP JAMESON, $300
ELAINE FAUST, $300
Former District Judge Anne Kass, $300
MERILEE DANNEMANN, $300
Former Lt. Governor Diane Denish: $250
Herb Denish, Husband of Diane Denish, $250
Former Democratic Party Chair CATE STETSON $250
Attorney David Duhigg, $250 (Toni Martorelli’s husband)
TONI MARTORELLI, $250
DEBBIE SARINANA, $250
JAMES MACKENZIE, $250
Progressive Political Consultant Eli Lee, $250
SANDY BUFFET, $250
NORTON & SUMMER KALISHMAN, $250
JAMES RICHARDSON, $200
NM State Representative MARIAN MATTHEWS, $200
KATHRYN HILDEBRAND, $200
CELINA LEVINE, $200
ERIC OLIVAS, $200
CHRISTOPHER WILSON, $200
State Representative Gail Chasey, $150.00
WILLIAM GREEN, $150
BRITTNEY BARRERAS, $150
BARBARA TAYLOR, $150
Attorney MARY DICKMAN, $150
Alb. City Councilor DIANE GIBSON, $100
County Commissioner Debbie Omalley, $100
Former State Party Chair MARG ELLISTON, $100
Former Mayor Jim Baca, $100
Former State Representative DEDE FELDMAN, $100
Former City Economic Director FRED MONDRAGON $100
COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT PATRICIO RUILOBA, $100
RICHARD MEADOWS, $100
AMY MILLER, $100
HAROLD MURPHREE,$100
MIKE NEAS $100
MICHAEL NUSSER, $100
Attorney Eric Jeffries: $100
MARY ANN GREEN-JEFFRIES, $100
GERALYN WARNER, $100
JOANIE GRIFFIN, $100
MICHELLE MEADERS. $100
LINDA WHITE, $100
LES RAMIREZ, $100
BROOKE TULLY, $100
FAYE NORTH, $100
SHARIF RABADI, $100
JON SPAR, $100
JUDITH YANDOH, $100
CHRISTOPHER PAPALEO, $100
Mayor Tim Keller Campaign Manager Neri Holguin, $100
JOSEPH SABATINI, $100
BARBARA GROTHUS, $100
Former City Councilor PETE DINELLI, $100 (Even though he is on a fixed income and had to dip into life savings without telling his wife.)
REPUBLICAN LORI ROBERTSON CASH BALANCES
Following are the contributions and expenditures contained in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 filed by Lori Robertson:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $27,204
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $6,705
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $0.00 .
TOTAL LOAN FORGIVENESS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $0.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $1,401.02
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $32,508
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/OrganizationDetail.aspx?OrganizationID=7133
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO LORI ROBERTSON
The major contributors that can be gleaned from all 4 runoff reports filed by Lori Robertson are as follows:
NAOIP NM CHAPTER: $1,499 (Real estate and construction industry)
Realtor CLAY AZAR, $1,499
Former Republican State Chairman Havey Yates, $1,400
JANICE YATES, , $1,400
SAVE NEW MEXICO, $1,400
JALAPENO CORP, $1,400
DONALD WEEKE, $1,400
DALE ARMSTRONG (TLC Plumbing) $1,499.00
DEBORAH HARMS, $1,499.00
ROBERT LEE SANCHEZ, $1,300
DAVID GIAQUINTO, $1,000
M&M BODY LLC, $1,000
Republican Insider SHERMAN MCCORKLE, $750
DALE DEKKER, $500 (DEKKER/PERICH/SABATINI)
Realtor ROBIN DYCHE, $550
Retired attorney WILLIAM KELEHER, $500 (Two separate $250 donations)
Realtor TOM FRANCHINI, $500
ARTHUR HAYMAN, $500
JEFF HAGEN, $500
COLDWELL BANKER LEGACY REALTORS, $500
BRAD ALLEN, , $500
Realtor MICHAEL LEACH,
BENJAMIN PERICH, $500
SCOTT HAUQUITZ, $500
Realtor JIM SMITH, $500
TERESA EDEN, $500
JAMES MCCRORY, $500
JAMES GIANNELLI, $500
RONALD SHETTLESWORTH, $500
JASON ESPINOSA, $500
CONNIE ROBERTSON, $500
MARY JANE HICKS, $500
DAVID SILVERMAN, $500
MICHAEL KEENAN, $500
JIM WIBLE, $500
TIMOTHY MACEACHEN, $500
SUE MACEACHEN, $500
DAVID CAMPBELL, $250 (believed to be former Mayor Berry CAO)
JOHN BLACK, $250
Realtor DAMON MADDOX, $250
Realtor JIM CHYNOWETH, $250
ARLENE LUJAN, $250
CYNTHIA MEISTER, $250
RAY PRATT, $250
ED ANLIAN, $250
Realtor and Former Republican legislator MARK BOITANO $250
PAUL BILLINGHAM, $250
CATHERINE CASUAS, $250
MICHAEL CONTREARAS, $250
JOHN L JONES, $250
RealtorTOM NOVAK, $250
Realtor JOHN PETTY, $250
BARRY BITZER, $250
KAREN HARMON, $200
LOUIS ABRUZZO, $200
KAREN HARMON, $200
Former Republican Party Chairman EDWARD LUJAN, $100
Former Republican Legislator MARK CARUSO, $100
NICOLAS TRUYOL, $100
ALLISON COX, $100
LISA VERES $100
THOMAS MULLINS, $100
GREG WITH, $100
RACHEL FLANCE, $100
GEORGE CARILLO, $100
JAMIE COX, $100
PAUL DEMAGGIO, $100
TOM SCHMIDT, $100
RONALD SHETTLESWORTH, $100
DISTRICT 9 CITY COUNCIL RUN OFF FINANCIAL REPORTS
The December 7 runoff election in City Council District 9 is between Democrat Rob Grilley, 37, running against Republican Renee Grout, 60. District 9 is currently represented by Don Harris, a four-term Republican who has represented the district since 2005 and has decided not to run for a 5th term. District 7 is east Albuquerque from Menaul and Eubank, south to Kirtland Air Force base, and east of Tramway. The District includes the 4 Hills Country Club area.
Democrat Rob Grilley has raised more than Republican opponent Renee Grout. Grilley has $33,000 on hand for the last week of the campaign compared to Grout’s $25,265.
DEMOCRAT ROB GRILLEY CASH BALANCES
Following are the contributions and expenditures contained in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 filed by Rob Grilley:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $38,458.69
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $8,849.68
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $14,489.27
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $32,819.10
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO ROB GRILLEY
The major contributors that can be gleaned from all 4 runoff reports filed by Rob Grilley are as follows:
NEW MEXICANS FOR MICHELLE, (Governor PAC), $1,499
ALBUQUERQUE AREA FIREFIGHTERS- IAFF LOCAL 244, $1,499.68
Downs Race Track owner PAUL BLANCHARD, $1,499.00
STEVEN CHAVEZ, $1,499.00
CHARLES FRESQUEZ, $1,499.00
LOBO PAC, $1,499
JEAN ALLEN, $1,400
ROBERT GRILLEY, $1,400
COMMITTEE TO ELECT JAVIER MARTINEZ, $1,000
PEOPLE FOR MIMI STEWART, $1,000
Former County Commissioner JIM COLLIE, $1,000
Joe Cruz, $1,000
DAVID SMOAK, $600
District Attorney RAUL TORREZ FOR NEW MEXICO, $500
State Representative PAMELYA HERNDON, $500
AHORA PAC, $500
RICHARD KUHN, $500.00
HAROLD MURPHREE, $500
MARIAN SCHREYER, $500
KRISTINA ORTEZ, $500
CARLOS GARCIA, $500
Albuquerque City Councilor Isaac Benton, $300
KENNETH M COLE, $300.00
NM State Representative MARIAN MATTHEWS, $250
Attorney David Duhigg, (Toni Martorelli’s husband)
TONI MARTORELLI, $250
RICHARD MOODY $250
MARTIN HICKEY, $250
TOM KLITSNER, $250
EMILY GRILLEY, $250
BOB CARROLL, $250
KATIE YOUNG, $250
KELLY JACKSON, $200
S BURR, $200
DAVID AMPLEFORD, $200
NM State Representative GAIL CHASEY, $150
NM State Senator MIMI STEWART, $150
DAVID NELSON BLAIR, $150
SUSAN ALLISON-HATCH, $150
City Councilor CYNTHIA BORREGO, $100
Country Commissioner Debbie Omalley, $100
APD Police Oversight Board member DR. WILLIAM KASS, $100
Former State Democratic Chair MARGARET ELLISTON, $100
Former United States Senator Fred Harris, $100
MICHELLE MEADERS, $100
ELIZABETH DYER, $100
ANDREW LIPMAN, $100
SUZANNE JACOBI, $100
GERALYN WARNER, $100
CLINTON MARRS, $100
JOANIE GRIFFIN, $100
VANGIE SAMORA, $100
TASIA YPUNG, $100
GENEVIEVE TEWART, $100
PHILIP M YORK, $100
Former City Councilor Pete Dinelli, $100 (Even though he is on a fixed income and had to dip into life savings without telling his wife.)
REPUBLICAN RENEE GROUT CASH BALANCES
Following are the contributions and expenditures contained in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 filed by Renee Grout:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $34,713.95
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $6,244.68
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $15,693.91
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $25,264.72
MCCLESKEY MEDIA STRATEGIES, the firm owned and operated by Republican operative and politival strategist Jay McClusky is identified as handling Grout’s media.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO RENEE GROUT
The major contributors that can be gleaned from all 4 runoff reports filed by Renee Grout are as follows:
JAMES GROUT, $1,499
NEW MEXICO NAIOP PAC, $1,499
JEREE HINDI TOMASI, $1,499
DALE ARMSTRONG, $1,499
Jim Grout, THE AUTO CLINIC, $1,400
SAVE NEW MEXICO, $1,400
JALAPENO CORPORATION, $1,400
PEGGY DASKALOS, DASKALOS INVESTMENTS LLC, $1,000
2017 Candidate for Mayor Ricardo Chavez, $1,000
DAVID GONZALES, M&M BODY LLC, $1,000
DAVID GIAQUINTO, $1,000
ROY BENSON, $1,000
THOMAS H TOMASI, $1,000
TAMI SUE WELLS-BLASCHKE, $1,000
JOHN TORCZYNSKI, $1,000
MARY JANE HICKS, $999
Republican political operative SHERMAN MCCORKLE, $750
SCOTT BAIRD, $500 (It is believed Mr. Baird is the husband of Teri Bair, the fundraiser and Chief of Staff for former Mayr Martin Chaves.)
Jim Gutherie, CAR CRAFTERS, INC, $500
SCOTT HAUQUITZ, SCOTT’S FENCING CO. INC, $500
VALERIE HARVEY, $500
AZEEZ HINDI, $500
MICHELLE COONS, $500
TERESA EDENS, $500
BRUCE STIDWORTHY, $500
NANCY BRANTLEY, $500
BRAD LANCE, $500
BRUCE STIDWORTHY, $500
MICHELLE COONS, $500
MARY JANE HICKS, $500
ROBERT SALAZAR, $500
KIMBERLY SKAGGS, $500
BRENDA POTTERFIELD, $500
OSCAR HUBER, $400
BRAD LANCE, SCOTT’S FENCING CO. INC, $400
SHELLEY BARKER, $300
JULIE WRIGHT, $300
RICHARD DALE DEKKER, DEKKER/PERICH/SABATINI $250,
Legacy Church Office and Administrative Occupations BARRY BITZER, $250
JOHN BLACK, $250
ARLENE LUJAN, $250
LINDA NICHOLS, $250
MICHAEL CONTRERAS,
MARIA BERRY, $250
WAYNE APPELMAN, $250
THOMAS NOVAK, $250
NADINE EDELMAN, $250
LARRY SHER, $250
SUSAN THROCKMORTON, $250
EVERETT FARR, $250
LOUIS ABRUZZO, son of world-famous Double Eagle Balloonist Ben Abruzzo, $200.00
DONALD GLUCK, $200
ESTHER STARR, $200
BABBI BAKER, $200.
MARK MENICUCCI, $200
JALENE LYONS, $180
ROBERT COBURN, $150
PATRICIA DEAN, $150
Former Republican Party Chairman and brother of Congressman Manuel Lujan EDWARD LUJAN, $100
THOMAS MULLINS, $100
GORDON HENNESSY $100
MARLENE STECKER, $100
RENEE UPAH, $100
JOSEPH ARCHBOLD, $100
DWIGHT ADKINS, $100
Attorney KERRY MORRIS, $100
MEASURED FINANCE COMMITEES
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. Measure finance committees are not bound by the individual contribution limits and business bans like candidates. No Measure Finance Committee is supposed to coordinate their activities with the individual candidates running for office, but this is a very gray area as to what constitutes coordination of activities and it is difficult to enforce.
The fact that measure finance committees are not bound by the individual contribution limits and business bans like candidates is what makes them a major threat to warping and influencing our municipal elections and the outcome. Any Measure Finance Committee can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money and can produce negative ads to destroy any candidate’s reputation and candidacy.
There are a number of measured finance committees fundraising and spending in the two city council runoff elections. Those MFC’s are as follows:
1. HEALTHY ECONOMIES LEAD TO PROGRESS
On August 7, 2021, Healthy Economies Lead to Progress filed with the City Clerk its registration certificate. Its stated purpose is “TO SUPPORT THOSE CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL WHO WILL MOVE ALBUQUERQUE AHEAD AND OPPOSE THOSE WHO WILL NOT.” The MFC was formed to promote Republican candidates Lori Robertson, Renee Grout and Dan Lewis. It did not support any candidate for Mayor and concentrated on City Council races to defeat Democrat City Councilor Lan Sena and Cynthia Borrego.
Now that Republican Dan Lewis won on November 2, it is turning its attention to defeat Democrats Rob Grilley in District 9 and Tammy Fiebelkorn. The money it raised and not spent for the November 2 election will carry over and can be used in the December 2 runoff. The amount that carried over for the December 7 run off was $87,970. The fact that the contributions were carried over merits review of the original source, contributors and amounts. Republican Lori Roberston is a realtor, which explains the top heavy amount of donations from the real estate community.
7TH, 8TH, 9TH AND 10TH Campaign Finance reports filed by “Healthy Economies Lead to Progress” reveal the following major donors and amounts:
NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION (Carol Wight): $20,000
COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS NM: $18,639.22
JOHNSON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, LLC: $4,000
ABRAZO HOMES, LLC: $2,500
JEAN F BERNSTEIN: $1,000
DAVE HILL INC: $1,000
BRUCE J STIDWORTHY: $1,000
WILLIAM T ROBERTSON: $1,000
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx
COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS NM: $10,000
PREMIER DISTRIBUTING COMPANY: $5,000
STEVE MAESTAS: $5,000 ( two $2,500 donations)
ANGELA WILLIAMSON: $2,000
TITAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC: $1,000
MICHAEL LEACH: $1,000
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS FUND: $64,000
NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION: $10,000
PETROYATES, INC.: $10,000
ABC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE: $5,000.00
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx
REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE: $20,000.00
NEW MEXICO NAIOP PAC: $1,500
SHERMAN MCCORKLE: $1,000
EDITORS NOTE: McCorkle has been a Republican political operative and insider fixture for many decades. His influence within the Republican Party is well known as well as his influence with organizations such as the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Forum and NAIOP. When Mayor Richard Berry was elected the first time in 2009, MCCORKLE was the transition team chairman for Berry and he was known to have promoted the appointments of Darren White as Chief Public Safety Officer, Gordon Eden as APD Chief and Rob Perry as City Attorney.
Healthy Economies Lead to Progress was formed to raise money and promote Republican City Council Candidates Dan Lewis, Lori Robertson and Renee Grout .
Following are the contributions contained in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 filed by Healthy Economies Lead to Progress.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $87,907.97
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD:
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $87,907.97
Financial Statement 10 for HEALTHY ECONOMIES LEAD TO PROGRESS reports the follow cash balances for the reporting period of October 23, 2021 to October29, 2021:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $58,365.30
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $29,587.00
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $-0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $44.33
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $87,907.97
The major contributors gleaned from campaign finance reports FOR HEALTHY ECONOMIES LEAD TO PROGRESS are:
REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, $20,000
NEW MEXICO NAIOP PAC, $7,587.00
NEW MEXICO NAIOP PAC, $1,500
RICHARD DEKKER, $1,000
SHERMAN MCCORKLE, $1,000
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/OrganizationDetail.aspx?OrganizationID=7127
2. ALBUQUERQUE AHEAD
According to the registration filed by ALBUQUERQUE AHEAD with the City Clerk, its designated purpose is
“To support those candidates for city council who will move Albuquerque ahead and oppose those who will not.” This measured finance committee was established by the Bernalillo County Republican Party to promote the 2 Republican candidates Dan Lewis and Renee Grout.
The 5th campaign finance report filed by Albuquerque Ahead reflects that on July 7, 2021, the Bernalillo County Republican Party donated $9,000 to this MFC. The one major expenditure of $5,184.00 is to Majority Strategies, a Republican leaning political consulting firm. Albuquerque Ahead raised $10,250 during the 5th the reporting period designated to support Dan Lewis and Renee Grout, including $2,000 from Arizona-based GDC and from James Baird and Karen Espinosa, each donating $1,000.
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx
The 7th Campaign finance reports reflects the largest cash balances for donations and expenditures for Albuquerque Ahead for the reporting period of September 7 to October 4th with a cash balance of $14,223.47, total monetary contribution for reporting period of $10,520, total expenditures for the reporting period of $17,152 and a closing balance of $7,591.
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx
The 9th Campaign finance report for Albuquerque Ahead filed on October 25 covering the time frame of October 16 to October 22 reflects cash donations of $3,630.00, expenditures of $8,360.28 and a closing balance of $2,630.95. All donations ranges from $50 to $250
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx
The 10th Campaign finance report for Albuquerque Ahead filed on November 1 covering the time frame of October 23 to October 29, reflects a closing balance of $2,022 and that LARRY RAINOSEK the owner of Frontier Restaurant donated $5,000 to promote Republican Dan Lewis and another $5,000 to promote Republican Renee Grout, with both being successful on November 2.
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx
The RUNOFF STATEMENT 4 for ALBUQUERQUE AHEAD due November 29 for the reporting period November20, 2021 – to November 26, 2021 reflect the following cash balances:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $1,538.98
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $10,460.00
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $10,489.78
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $2,601.17
This measured finance committee received $10,000 from LARRY RAINOSEK, the principal owner of the iconic Frontier Restaurant on Central.
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/OrganizationDetail.aspx?OrganizationID=7127
The 10th Finance Report filed by reported the following cash balances:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $2,630.95
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD:
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $10,460.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $10,489.78
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $ $2,601.17
This measured finance committee received $10,000 from LARRY RAINOSEK, the principal owner of the iconic Frontier Restaurant on Central.
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/Reports/FetchReportToPDF.aspx
3. PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST
The purpose of this MFC is to support candidates who support public safety.
The only major contributor to PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST is ALBUQUERQUE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, $7,000. The police union is littering both City Council Districts 7 and 9 with yard signs supporting Republican Lori Roberson and Renee Grout.
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/OrganizationDetail.aspx?OrganizationID=7149
4. ABQ WORKERS FIRST
ABQ Workers First is a measured finance committee whose purpose is to “advocate for or against candidates running for mayor and city council” and that is ow supporting the candidacies of Democrats Tammy Fiebelkorn on Rob Grilley.
Following are the contributions reported in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 filed by ABQ WORKERS FIRST
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $3,931.21
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $40,000
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $33, 897.20
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $10,034.01
One major contributor that can be gleaned from all 4 runoff reports filed by ABQ WORKERS FIRST and that is:
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY & MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, $40,000
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/OrganizationDetail.aspx?OrganizationID=7141
5. NO CORPORATE COUNCIL, MFC
No Corporate Council, MFC was formed to support progressive candidates for mayor and city council. The link to all finance reports for No Corporate Council, MFC is here:
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/OrganizationDetail.aspx?OrganizationID=7143
“RUNOFF STATEMENT 1” due on November 8, 2021 November 19 and for the time period October 5, 2021 to November 5, 2021 filed by “NO CORPORATE COUNCIL, MFC” contains the following cash cash balances:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $33,000
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD:
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $33,000
The 9th Campaign Finance statement filed by NO CORPORATE COUNCIL, MFC on October 25, 2021 for the reporting period October 16, 2021 to October 22, 2021 contains the following cash balances:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $50,000
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD:
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $50,000
The major contributors that can be gleaned from the reports filed by NO CORPORATE COUNCIL, MFC are:
CENTER FOR CIVIC ACTION $16,667.00
CENTER FOR CIVIC ACTION $16,666.50
CENTER FOR CIVIC ACTION $16,666.50
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/OrganizationDetail.aspx?OrganizationID=7143
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Center for Civic Action is a progressive organization and according to its web page, it mission is to “advocate for policies that impact the common good and welfare of New Mexicans, such as health care, energy, natural resources, the economy and jobs, and voting rights issues. to educate the public about social welfare issues that impact the common good and welfare of New Mexico.”
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/02-0779812
6. PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES ALBUQUERQUE
The purpose of this MFC is to “support candidates that support women’s reproductive healthcare and oppose those that don’t.” For the city council run offs, it is supporting Democrats Tammy Fiebelkorn on Rob Grilley. Both Republican candidates Lori Robertson and Renee Grout oppose abortion.
Following are the cash balances reported in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 filed by PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES ALBUQUERQUE:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $33,754.50
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD :
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $900.00
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $ $32,854.50
It was Finance Statement 8 filed by PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES ALBUQUERQUE that reported a $78,000 major cash infusion into the 2021 municipal election as follows.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $-0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD : $78,000
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $30.00
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD
One single donation of $70,000 was reported as made by PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ACTION FUND, INC. on October 20, 201.
7. DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF NEW MEXICO COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT FAVORED CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS
This MFC was recently form by the New Mexico Democratic Party to promote Democratic City Council Canddiates. This is the very first time that it can be recalled that the Democratic Party has overtly gotten involved with city council races.
Following are the cash balances reported in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 filed by DPNM COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT FAVORED CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $9,850
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD : $15,410
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $15, 123
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $10, 136
The major contributors that can be gleaned from all 4 runoff reports filed by DPNM Committee To Support Favored Candidates For Local Elections are as follows:
NEW MEXICANS FOR MICHELLE, $5,000 (Governor Lujan Grisham’s PAC)
DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF NEW MEXICO, $5,000
DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF NEW MEXICO, $2,600
JEAN WUBKER, $1,000
MELISSA JANSEN, $1,000
HAROLD MURPHREE, $500
https://campaignfinance.cabq.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/OrganizationDetail.aspx?OrganizationID=7136
8. 2021 ALBUQUERQUE SIERRA CLUB MFC
The purpose of this MFC is stated as “SUPPORT THE ELECTION OF MAYORAL AND CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES ENDORSED BY THE SIERRA CUB RIO GRANDE CHAPTER.”
Following are the cash balances reported in “RUNOFF STATEMENT 4” due on November 19 and for the time period November 20, 2021 to November 26, 2021 filed by ALBUQUERQUE SIERRA CLUB MFC
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $2,934.63
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD : -0-
TOTAL LOANS THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -0-
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $2,934.63
No expenditures are reported
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
With 8 Measured Finance Committees raising $232,178 and 4 Candidates Raising $143,543 in one month, a total of $375,721 has been raised in one month for the December 7, 2021 runoff races.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Should there be a Republican takeover of the Albuquerque City Council, you can expect any number of setbacks of progressive programs and policies promoted by Mayor Tim Keller and advocacy of Republican policies and programs. Among those items are:
1. Repeal of the city’s immigration friendly policy that Republicans falsely label as sanctuary city.
2. Opposition to or perhaps repeal of the city’s minimum wage ordinance.
3. Opposition to any mandatory sick leave ordinances for the private sector.
4. Oppose enforcement by Mayor Keller of emergency health care orders for the Corona Virus Pandemic, including opposing any and all-mask mandates and opposing mandatory covid vaccinations of city employees.
5. Reduction in social service programs to help the homeless and the poor, including a scaling back of the Gateway Homeless shelter operations.
6. Advocacy of late term abortion prohibitions as was placed on the 2013 municipal ballot and which failed then.
7. Opposition to the Department of Justice mandated police reforms.
8. Oppose any and all increases in the gross receipts taxes or property taxes to fund city essential services even when deficits occur.
9. Advocate the reduction in the size of city government and eliminate new departments and programs created by Mayor Keller by denying funding for such Departments as the “Office of Equity and Inclusion” that deals with immigrant relations.
10. Advocacy of increased criminal penalties as part of the city’s legislative package and bail bond reform measures.
CONCLUSION
As the old political saying goes, as goes Albuquerque in elections, so goes the state. With control of the city council at stake as well as what issues will emerge, its no wonder so much money has been raised. The fact that Governor Michelle Lujan PAC has donated and she has endorsed both the the Democrats in the run off is a clear indication how important it is to next year’s mid terms. It could set the done.
With less than one week left until the November 7, the 4 candidates as well as the major MFC’s are concentrating on door to door canvasing, phone banking and mailers. One thing is for certain, the major parties do recognize that control of the Albuquerque City Council is at stake. It’s likely the voter turn out for the run off in the two city council districts will still be extremely low. As a result, both elections are wide open and difficult to predict as is the ultimate control of the city council.