http://www.freeabq.com/2017/09/25/campaign-finance-four/
The fourth Campaign Finance Reports for Mayor of Albuquerque were filed on September 22, 2017 with the Albuquerque City Clerk for the reporting period of September 8, 2017 to September 21, 2017.
(See: https://www.cabq.gov/voting-elections/candidate-information/2017-mayoral-candidates)
If no candidate secures 50% or more of the vote, a runoff I will be held between the top voter getters, which is more likely than not given recent polling data.
There are seven (7) privately financed candidates, one (1) publicly financed candidate, one (1) measured finance committee to promote the one publicly financed candidate and one (1) measured finance committee to oppose the one publicly finance candidate.
There is one week remaining until the October 3, 2017 municipal election.
TIM KELLER CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
Democrat Tim Keller is the only “publicly finance” candidate for Mayor.
The July 14, 2017 Tim Keller Campaign Finance Report states that on April 3, 2017 the Keller campaign was given $342,952 by the City of Albuquerque in public financing.
The Keller September 8, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $118,807.44 and that $104,656.58 was spent and the closing balance for the third reporting period is $14,150.66.
The August 11, 2017 finance report reflects that $938.71 of “in kind” donations reflected in cash amounts were made to the Keller campaign and notable “in kind” cash donations for goods and services to the Tim Keller campaign include $500 from Atrisco Oil & Gas and $400 from Robert Dickson a realtor with Paradigm and Company.
Notable expenditures for the Tim Keller campaign include $12,245 to PUTMAN PARTNERS of Washington, DC for “MEDIA”, $81,368 to BUYING TIME of Washington, DC for Media, and $9,970.83 to RIO STATEGIES (Jessie Hunt), the longtime political consultants for Mr. Keller, for Professional Services.
Mr. Keller is running 15 second positive commercials featuring him talking and the ads theme is “let’s move Albuquerque forward”.
It is interesting to note that on the campaign trail Mr. Keller has emphasized the importance of the City of Albuquerque to give priority to local businesses but his media work is being performed by Washington, DC firms.
If Mr. Keller gets into the runoff as is expected, his campaign will be given approximately $126,000 more in public finance funds.
ABQ FORWARD TOGETHER CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
ABQ FORWARD TOGETHER is a measure finance committee, registered with the City Clerk’s office, formed for the purpose “to support Tim Keller’s bid for Mayor”.
Measured finance committees are not bound by the individual contribution limits and business bans like a candidate.
The September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance report for “ABQ FORWARD TOGETHER” reflects that it had a beginning cash balance of $174,032.26 from the last reporting period, it had monetary contributions of $124,705.00 for the current reporting period, spent $222,095.44 and has a closing balance of $76,641.82 left to spend as it sees fit to promote Mr. Keller until the October 3, 2017 election.
Cash donations to “ABQ FORWARD TOGETHER” that are noteworthy include: $31,000 from BIG ORGANIZING ACTION FUND, $30,000 from AFSME, Washington, DC, $25,000 from THE CIVIC PARTICIPATION ACTION FUND, $5,000 from the Albuquerque Teachers Federation Committee on Political Action, $5,000 from the Center for Civic Action.
ABQ Forward is running 30 second, positive ads featuring Mr. Keller, his wife and two young children, with no response to the attack ads being run by the anti-Keller pac.
The pro Keller ads are slick and well produced highlighting his record as state auditor.
It is clear from the donations made to ABQ FORWARD TOGETHER that Mr. Keller continues to get significant financial support from organized labor which will translate into significant volunteer help and even more contributions from union members and union organizations.
There are nine (9) unions representing city employees, including AFSME that according to finance reports has contributed $50,000 to the Keller measured finance committee, that a Keller Administration will have to negotiate contracts with and the influence of union donations will pose a problem for Tim Keller.
ABQ FORWARD TOGETHER can raise money up and through to the election day and beyond for a runoff election if Tim Keller gets into the runoff.
MAKE ALBUQUERQUE SAFE
According to the Measured Finance Committee Registration filed with the City clerk the “Make Albuquerque Safe” purpose is to oppose “Associated Candidates/Ballot Measures, Tim Keller”.
The Chairperson of Make Albuquerque Safe is Denis Romero and the Treasurer is Donna Taylor.
“Make Albuquerque Safe” raised $60,000 for the reporting period, had expenditures of $50,335 and has a closing balance of $9,664.
Western Albuquerque Land Holdings, LLC (JEFF Garrett) donated $30,000 and $30,000 was donated by VETEO PROPERTIES, LLC (MARK VETOTO) of Hobbs, New Mexico.
Western Albuquerque Land Holdings, LLC owns the controversial and massive Santolina development on the west side.
Tim Keller has said he is opposed to the Santolina development.
Expenditures of $50,335 were made by Make Albuquerque Safe to produce and run TV and radio commercials on KOB-TV channel 4, KRQE channel 13, and Clear Channel radio stations with no time shown purchased on KOAT-TV channel 7.
The ads are deceitful and manipulative and they are smearing a qualified candidate and may have backfired only to have galvanized the Keller progressive base.
The TV and radios attack ads will probably have no impact on Mr. Keller’s core and very loyal progressive constituency and I predict Mr. Keller will be in the runoff.
The big questions are is if the attack ads had any effect on undecided voters and who will come in first or second to get into the runoff.
It is seriously doubt full that Make Albuquerque Safe is going to let up on the attacks on Keller and will engage another line of attack once Keller makes it into the runoff.
(See my September 23, 2017 blog article “A Week In Politics For Tim Keller Is An Eternity” at https://www.petedinelli.com/2017/09/23/the-next-days-in-politics-for-tim-keller-running-for-mayor-is-an-eternity/ for further commentary.)
BRIAN COLON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
From review of the finance report of contributions and expenditures, Democrat Brian Colon has expended the most since the last reporting period and his fund raising was diminished for the period.
The Colon September 8, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $535,579.82 and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is $219,514.85 and spent $362,241.97 during the reporting period.
The Colon September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $219,514.85, and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is $114,175.40 and the campaign spent another $142,102 during the reporting period.
Brian Colon raised an additional $36,762.70 during the reporting period.
Notable individuals or businesses that made cash contributions and reported in the September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report for Brian Colon for Mayor include the following donors: Patricia Vincent Collawin, $5,192.70, Edward Garcia, Garcia Automotive, $5,150, Payam Ghoreishi (PG Enterprises), $5,150, Wisepies Franchise Services, LLC (Steve Chavez), $5,000, former APD Commander Levi Anaya, $4,650, Juliene Martinez Abrams, $3,000 and PNM Responsible Citizens Group, $1,500.
Notable expenditures listed in the September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report for the Colon for Mayor include $45,000 paid to Richard Gold Communications of Austin, Texas, $77,075 Paid to CANAL Partners Media of Atlanta, Georgia for “media”, $12,00 paid to Bouchard Gols Communications of Austin, Texas, and $6,000 paid to Potomac Waves, LLC of Washington, DC.
Mr. Colon has run two separate TV commercials, one featuring Attorney General Hector Balderas and the second more biographical.
The biographical ads appear to have run their course as far as being effective prompting speculation that another, far more aggressive ad will be produced in an effort to “seal the deal” and get Colon in the runoff.
Political insiders have also noticed that Mr. Colon has not spoken in any of the commercials and none have featured his wife and son.
It is interesting to note that on the campaign trail during debate forums, Mr. Colon has emphasized the importance of the City giving priority to local businesses for work but his media work is being done with out of state firms in Georgia, Texas, Washington, DC.
DAN LEWIS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
The Dan Lewis September 8, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $169,289.37 and the closing balance for the current reporting period is $194,501 available to the campaign until the October 3, 2017 election.
The Dan Lewis September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $194,501 and the closing balance for the current reporting period is $75,778.80 available to the campaign until the October 3, 2017 election.
Republican Dan Lewis raised an additional $55,917 during the reporting period and had expenditures of $174,640.07 during the last reporting period.
Total “in-kind” contributions to Dan Lewis for the reporting period was $1,286.00.
Notable individuals or businesses that made cash contributions listed in the September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report for Dan Lewis for Mayor include the following donors: $5,000 from Paseo Village LLC, (Jimmy Daskolos of “Nick& Jimmy’s restaurant, $5,000 from Solid Gold Classic, LLC, (Peggy Daskolos), $5,192 from Valley Fence Company (Paul Chavez), $2,500 from Guzman Construction Solutions (Rudy Gusman), $2,500 from Integrated Construction Services, LLC, $2,500 from Mobile Pathways, $1,500 from Chris Olsen (PNM Resources), and $1,000 from JJ’s Premier Tire & Services.
Notable expenditures listed in the September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report for the Dan Lewis for Mayor include:
The Stoneridge Group, payment of $5,000, $40,451.28, $12,822, $12,782 and $1,197, MEDIUM BUYING of Columbus, Ohio, $92,800 and Stewart Bragg (Staff), $7,000.
The Stoneridge Group is a political campaign marketing firm based in Alpharetta, Georgia, with offices in Louisville Kentucky and provides services to pro-life, Republican campaigns, associations, and non-profits including voter contact mail, website design and online campaigns, print and collateral items, and strategic consulting.
Dan Lewis has been running a traditional media political campaign on TV with commercials highlighting Albuquerque’s crime rates and to make Albuquerque the worst place to be a criminal.
One ad by Lewis again attacks the Judicial system and makes the bogus claim that he will hold judges accountable.
WAYNE JOHNSON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
The Wayne Johnson September 8, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $207,770.61 and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is now $219,738.25.
The Wayne Johnson September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $219,738.25 and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is now $109,248.55.
Republican Wayne Johnson raised an additional $29,267.00 during the reporting period.
The Wayne Johnson for Mayor campaign reported spending $139,756.70 during the last reporting period.
Notable individuals or businesses that made cash contributions listed in the September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report for Wayne Johnson for Mayor include the following donors: Scott Garrett, $500, Jerry Geist, 250, Pat Vincent -Collawn (PNM), $5,192, PNM Responsible Citizens PAC, $1,500, Neil Hise, $3,000, Mike Sivage, Sivage Homes, $1,000, Debbie Maestas, $1,000, and Stanly Hubbard, Hubbard Broadcasting, $1,000.
Notable expenditures listed in the September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report for the Wayne Johnson for Mayor include: SRCP Media, Alexandria, VA, for media placement, $44,802.87, $53,547.87, Direct Edge Campaigns, Nashville Tennessee, $23,303, EKERN COMPANY, Anne Erken for consulting, $5,375, and Dialing services for polling, $1,561.
The Wayne Johnson campaign for mayor had $2,085 of “in-kind” donations during the last reporting period of which $750 was for legal services donated by and attorney.
Wayne Johnson has been running a traditional media political campaign on TV with commercials highlighting his opposition to the ART bus project and Albuquerque’s crime rates.
RICARDO CHAVES CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
Ricardo Chaves is a “self-financed” candidate for Mayor.
The Ricardo Chaves July 14, 2017 Campaign Finance Report revealed that he loaned his campaign for Mayor $500,000.
Mr. Chaves reported in the July 14, 2017 report that he spent $134,666.27 for campaign consulting, management and petition signature gathering to get on the ballot and he had $373,981.53 remaining in his campaign account.
The Ricardo Chaves September 8, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $373,228.34 and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is now $298,174.64.
The Ricardo Chaves September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $298,174.64 and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is now $223,054.45.
The only notable expenditures listed in the September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report for the Ricardo Chaves for Mayor is another $75,000 paid to Robert E. Cornelius as a consulting fee.
Mr. Chaves reported he received and $1,920.66 “in kind” contribution from himself for office rental and warehouse space.
Mr. Chavez has begun to run political commercials within the last two weeks highlighting his theme of making Albuquerque safe and reduce the size of government
MICHELLE GARCIA HOLMES CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
The Garcia-Holmes September 8, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states a cash balance from the last reporting period of $33,300.06 and a closing balance for the recent reporting period as $11,158.36.
The September 8, 2017 financial report reflects Michelle Garcia Holmes reported cash contributions of $9,145.00 with expenditures of $31,286.70 and a closing balance of $11,158.36.
The September 22, 2017 financial report reflects Michelle Garcia Holmes reported cash contributions of $1,375.00 with expenditures of $2,493.92 and a closing balance of $10,039.
Notable expenditures include $1,125 to EXHIB-T for marketing and $731.64 to ADELANTE MAILING SERVICES.
Michelle Garcia Holmes and her husband Earl Holmes each contributed $5,000 for a total of $10,000 to her campaign for Mayor and it appears they have enough left to reimburse themselves.
Michelle Garcia Holmes has been running TV commercials with scarce telecasting due to her budget.
SUSAN WHEELER-DEICHEL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
The Susan Wheeler-Deichel campaign did not file the September 8, 2017 finance report.
The August 11, 2017 Campaign Finance Report for Wheeler-Deichel reported a balance from the last reporting period of $341.34, total monetary contributions for the reporting period of $1,685.00, total expenditures of $3,955.63 with a negative balance of $1,929.29.
The July 17, 2017 finance report reflected $6,275 in monetary contributions to the Susan Wheeler-Deichel campaign, of which $6,175 was a personal loan to her campaign.
The Susan Wheeler-Deichel September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $298,174.64 and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is now $223,054.45.
GUS PEDROTTY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES
Gus Pedrotty is running a social media campaign by making FACEBOOK commercials that he has written and produced by himself with the commercials being well produced and exhibiting great creativity.
The Gus Pedrotty September 8, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $3,091.88, total monetary contributions for the reporting period as $3,272.39, total expenditures of $3,274.79 and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is as $3,089.48.
The Gus Pedrotty September 22, 2017 Campaign Finance Report states that the cash balance from the last reporting period was $3,089.48 total monetary contributions for the current reporting period as $5,742.13, total expenditures of $1,932.88 and the closing balance for the recent reporting period is as $6,898.73.
Most of Mr. Pedrotty’s donations are cash amounts of $5, $25, $50 with a few $100, $200 and two $500 donations.
Notable expenditures have been to Greetings Etc. for $1,393, $296, $516 for printed materials and $1,000 paid for “filed work.”
Mr. Pedrotty continues with a “social media” campaign.
ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ENDORSEMENT
The Albuquerque Journal made its long anticipate endorsement surprising many by endorsing two candidates for Mayor, Democrat Brian Colon and Republican Dan Lewis,saying Colon and Lewis have the best plans for Albuquerque.
This is the first time in history that the Albuquerque Journal has given a double endorsement such as this.
This is also the first time I can recall that the Journal has given any positive acknowledgements and encouragement to others who are running, but who they did not endorse.
The endorsement of one Democrat and one Republican by the paper is an admission of just how partisan municipal elections have become.
I said this in my September 13, guest editorial column “Nonpartisan mayoral election is farce; The reality is that partisanship rules for mayor and city council”. https://www.petedinelli.com/…/nonpartisan-mayoral-election-…/
Now let’s see who the Journal endorses when the runoff is between Tim Keller and Brian Colon, which I suspect will happen, and the paper will endorse Colon.
CONCLUSION
With only nine (9) days remaining until the October 3 election, just about anything can happen.
Political television ads, especially negative ads, can affect poll numbers and the outcome of a runoff race.
People constantly condemn negative and highly inflammatory political advertising and polls, but the cold hard reality is that people believe the ads, they affect the polls and the ads work.
Candidates on the receiving end of attack find themselves using precious resources to defend themselves against lies.
The TV and radio ads against Keller are only the beginning of more to come, not only against Keller but the other candidate who gets into the runoff.
What is for sure there will be a runoff and we can all look forward to another six full weeks of the two top vote getters bashing the hell out of each other until the runoff which is scheduled for November 14, 2017.
Whoever become Mayor will have the privilege and honor to deal with a police department and an economy that are akin to backed upped sewer lines.
I have no doubt the work can be done and there is a way to fix things, but if you do not do it right and do not get things flowing in the right direction you sure going to smell after four (4) years in office.