ALBUQUERQUE – The Santa Fe New Mexican has reported that the Secretary of State’s office is providing political cover to Michelle Lujan Grisham by demanding an organization supporting her primary opponent registers as a political action committee and discloses its donors. At the same time, the Secretary of State has refused to hold dark money groups backing Lujan Grisham to the same standard. 

“Time and time again, Democratic leaders in New Mexico are rigging the political process to tip the scales for their preferred candidate and take choices away from voters,” said RPNM Spokesman Dominic Pacheco. “When dark money groups launch attacks on Michelle Lujan Grisham’s behalf, she and the Secretary of State are both silent. Using elected office to target political opponents and promote the Democratic party’s chosen candidate is the definition of corruption.”

According to the New Mexican, the Secretary of State’s office acted immediately as soon as it became aware of the group:

“State Elections Director Kari Fresquez told the group in an email Tuesday that her office had become aware of allegations New Mexico Democrats for Democracy was paying for online advertising.”

“Fresquez warned that, under New Mexico's law, the group must register with the Secretary of State's Office if it has spent more than $500 for a political purpose such as supporting or opposing a candidate.” (Santa Fe New Mexican, 4/23/18)

But the Secretary of State has done nothing about dark money groups attacking other candidates on behalf of Lujan Grisham.

It’s clear that Democrats will do everything they can to tip the scales in favor of their preferred candidate. New Mexicans deserve better than elected leaders who use the power of their office to rig the system and undermine voters.