For Immediate Release                      Contact: Scott Forrester

October 7, 2011                                  505-934-5691

Albuquerque, NM - Today Susana Martinez vetoed fair, legal maps drawn by democratically elected representatives of the people. The last time Republican Governor Gary Johnson vetoed the maps that were passed by a majority of democratically elected legislators it cost NM taxpayers $3.6 million.  

Below is a statement from DPNM Chairman Javier Gonzales:

"It should come as no surprise to New Mexicans that Susana Martinez is playing politics, as she has continued to do so over her first 9 months in office. Ultimately her continued political games will be corrected by the courts as they've done at least four times before.   Democrats will take their fight to court where they will fight for "One person, One Vote," and ensure all minorities’ voters’ rights are protected.

Democrat legislators refused to rig the next decade of elections in Republicans favor, and that's not what Susana Martinez wanted, so now she is sending us into an unnecessary court battle costing taxpayers millions of dollars. New Mexicans have larger issues to devote their attention then Susana's usual political games like jobs, education, and healthcare.

Make no mistake, with this veto, Susana Martinez is sending fair and legal maps, and drawn by democratically elected representatives of the people to court and wasting taxpayers millions of dollars."

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For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Forrester

August 29, 2011 505-934-5681

Albuquerque, NM - Governor Martinez and her political consultant Jay McCleskey spent the day yesterday promoting the Governors' new YouTube video showing her recertifying for a concealed-carry permit. It may help her raise her national VP prospects, but it doesn't do anything to get the economy back on track in New Mexico.

So why would the Governor focus so much on this video when New Mexicans are suffering and in need of jobs? She's had over 8 months in office, but Gov. Martinez has not pushed one jobs bill or plan.

Below is a statement from Scott Forrester of the Democratic Party of New Mexico on the Governor's latest missed target: Jobs.

"While the Governor is showing off her shooting skills for the press like Annie Oakley at an Old West Show, New Mexico's Families continue to wait for any sign of leadership on getting investment flowing into Main Street America, helping raise wages, providing necessary capital for our small businesses, health care for our less fortunate citizens, support for primary education, an improved economic environment, or really any of the wide range of issues she is so far just ignoring.

"It's too bad she wasn't shooting this straight on the campaign trail when she promised New Mexicans she'd focus on jobs and the economy if elected.”

“After the smoke settles and the applause from her audience dies down, we invite her to join us at the table where real work is being done for a conversation about what exactly she was elected to do. I don't recall being Armed & Dangerous as one of the qualifications for higher office.”

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For Immediate Release                       Contact: Scott Forrester

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Contact: Scott Forrester

March 2, 2011                                                                                                505-934-5681

Clear Contrast: While Democrats Fight for Jobs, Working Families and Protecting Homeowners, Martinez Continues to Play Political Games

(SANTA FE) -- This past week, while Democrats fight for film jobs here, keeping teachers in classrooms, and homeowners facing foreclosure, Susana Martinez focused her energy and her campaign funds on producing radio ads against Democrats who had the audacity to disagree with her policy proposals.

Now, both the Attorney General and Secretary of State are investigating whether Martinez's political expenditures were legal.

"Clearly, when it comes to focusing on what's important it's the Democrats that are concerned with the economic security of New Mexicans," said DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester, referring to Sen. Michael Sanchez's bill to help homeowners facing foreclosure. "New Mexicans want their leaders to work together to get something done for struggling families, but what they're getting from Martinez is a non-stop divisive political campaign."

Just a little more than two months into her term as governor and Martinez has so far been rebuked by the State Supreme Court for cutting a back-room deal with powerful lobbyists, seen her climate-change denying energy secretary nominee go down in flames and now is being investigated by both the AG and Secretary of State for the potentially improper use of campaign funds.

"Thank goodness Democrats in the Legislature are actually working on solutions to our state's problems." Forrester said. "Someone should send a memo to the governor informing her that the time for juvenile political games is over."

Below is a rundown of recent coverage of Martinez's political games.

Is Martinez lobbying or campaigning? – by Heath Haussamen, nmpolitics.net, http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2011/03/is-martinez-lobbying-or-campaigning/

Martinez Must Respond To Complaint Over Ad Funding – by Sean Olson, ABQ Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com/news/xgr/022132420357newsxgr03-02-11.htm#ixzz1FStqnbbZ

SOS Duran Launches Investigation of Gov. Martinez's Radio Ads – by Steve Terrell, Roundhouse Roundup, http://roundhouseroundup.blogspot.com/2011/03/sos-duran-launches-investigation-of-gov.html

Perhaps she's overcompensating for her apparent lack of ability when it comes to actually governing, but Susana Martinez this week launched paid political attacks against Democrats who had the audacity to -- wait for it -- disagree with her.

My heavens.

Now, those robo-calls and radio ads are being questioned by the non-profit Common Cause. See that KUNM story here. 

In addition, GOP Secretary of State Dianna Duran who first said such actions were OK by her, has now back-peddled a bit saying she will take a closer, more formal look at the charge. What's more? AG Gary King will now get involved. Here's that story from the New Mexico Independent.

Geez Susana, two months in and you've already run afoul of the New Mexico Supreme Court and potentially now the AG and SOS? Let's just be glad the governor doesn't have the power to declare war.