ALBUQUERQUE—Steve Pearce campaign manager Paul Smith today issued the following statement in response to KOAT-TV Albuquerque pulling an attack ad, which made provably falsely claims against Steve Pearce, and was paid for by national Democrats using a phony New Mexico front group "Stronger New Mexico." The group, which is funded by dark money special interests and allied with Michelle Lujan Grisham, is run out of a PO Box in Santa Fe.

"The Pearce for Governor campaign thanks KOAT-TV for its leadership in keeping New Mexico election ads honest. Candidates and outside organizations have the right to speak their opinions, they do not have the right to knowingly lie on New Mexico airwaves. When voters judge the candidates for Governor this year they should take into account the company that each candidate keeps. This false attack ad run by allies of Michelle Lujan Grisham on her behalf has now been debunked twice in the last eight years and removed from airing. Voters should consider depths that our opponent will go to gain power – including the use of outright lies by front groups," said Paul Smith.

In an August 27 letter to station management, the Pearce for Governor campaign requested the ad be pulled from the airwaves for making false claims. KOAT-TV pulled the ad the next day for violating its standards.