Eight measured finance committees (MFC) have been formed and are raising donations for the 2021 Municipal Election. Two have been formed to promote Sheriff Manny Gonzales for Mayor, 1 to promote Mayor Tim Keller for a second term, 1 by the City local firefighter’s union to support candidates who firefighter and public safety issues, 1 to promote 2 Republican candidates for City Council, 1 to support candidates that support women’s reproductive healthcare and oppose those that do not, and 1 to support the bond issue to build a city owned multipurpose soccer stadium.
The City Clerk link to the listing of all 8 measured finance committees and the finance reports where all the below information has been gleaned from is here:
https://www.cabq.gov/vote/candidate-information/2021-candidates
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 MFCs are required to file with the Albuquerque City Clerk a total of 11 financial statements, one statement per month, identifying donors, contributions and expenditures.
FIFTH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS FILED
On August 9, the MFCs filed their 5th Financial Fundraising reports covering the reporting period of July 6 to August 2 reporting what they have raised, major donors and major expenditures.
1. SAVE OUR CITY
PURPOSE: To address the serious crime and leadership problem in Albuquerque
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Chairperson of this MFC is Sam Vigil, the widower of Jackie Vigil who was shot and killed in her driveway in the early morning hours as she was going to the gym. Sam Vigil has been highly critcal of Mayor Keller and known to support Manny Gonzales for Mayor.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $84,968.90
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD $75,855.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $39,552.09
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $121,271.81
MAJOR DONORS
MICHELLE MAESTAS, General Business, $10,000
$5,000 CONTRIBUTORS
PAUL BLANCHARD, BLANCHARD CONSTRUCTION (Editors note: Alb. Downs Casino Interest Owner)
COBA REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC, (JAMES M. CURRY)
ZACHARY SNYDER. Construction Engineer
MICHAEL A SISNEROS, Business Owner
$2,500 TO $3,000 DONORS
E2 CONSULTING INVESTMENTS LLC, ERIC G ECKLES CONSULTING AND INVESTMENTS, $3,500
COMPASS ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, LLC, MARK OTERO, $3,000
ICS E-PARTS, LLC, RAYMOND GONZALES, $2,500
$2,000 DONORS
MECHANICAL CONTROL SOLUTIONS, LLC, RAYMOND GONZALES
RAYMOND GONZALES, , INTEGRATED AND CONTROL SYSTEMS INC
JPR DECORATIVE GRAVEL, INC, RAQUEL VILLEGAS
ROADRUNNER REDI-MIX, INC, JULIE VILLEGAS
ANCHOR BUILT, Construction, RAY AND ROBERTA ZAMORA
STEVEN CHAVEZ, INTEGRATED AND CONTROL SYSTEMS INC
JOHN P WILGER JR, Construction/Engineering, WILGER ENTERPRISES
$1,000 DONORS
NATHAN CORN, Private Businessman (Contributed $1,500)
STEVEN CHAVEZ, INTEGRATED AND CONTROL SYSTEMS INC
DENNIS R BURT, General Business
MIKE AND KATHLEEN MECHENBIER, General Business
TEDDY DEAKIN, Real Estate
VISTA ENCANTADA REALTORS,
KURSTIN JOHNSON
GILBERT BLEA, Self Employed
BLUE STONE SOLUTIONS, LLC, MICHAEL FLIBECK, General Business
DENNIS R BURT, General Business
GEORGE DASKALOS, General Business
FIDEL, PERNER & MICHNOVICZ, JOHN PERNER, ACCOUNTING SERVICES
TIMOTHY GORMAN, BODE AVIATION
JACLYN HAKEEN, Real Estate
KEITH AND SANDRA MALLOR, Business Owner
DAVID AND SHERRIE WILLIAMS, Retired
$500 DONORS
MICHAEL STEVENS, Merril Lynch Financial Investment
JANIE DANIELS, Real Estate
JEFFERY MADISON, Government Employee
KATHERINE MESLEY, Real Estate
$250 TO $300 DONORS
JEANETTE RAVER, Real Estate, $300
CARRI PHILLIS Business Owner, $250
RUBEN AND JEAN DURAN, self-employed, $250
GERALD MAESE, Retired, $250
$200 DONORS
RICHARD RANDALS, Self Employed
MEGAN ENGLAND, Real Estate
SHERRY FOWLER, Real Estate
SUE AND FRENCHY GUENETTE
JAMES AND MARIJO MYERS
LOUIS RAEL, Retired
MAJOR IN-KIND DONATIONS ( TOTAL $4,795.76)
PATRICK J. ROGERS, Attorney At Law, $1,885.64
K & R ENTERPRISES, KEITH MILLER PRINTING AND MAILING, $979.51
JIMMY DASKALOS, Real Estate, $500.00
CHRIS PACHECO, Construction/Engineering PLUMA CONTRUCTION, $636.00
NEIL AND JULIE JACKSON, Real Estate, $264.87
CATHY AND BRIAN COLVIN, Real Estate, $264.87
MAJOR EXPENDITURES ( Total Expenditures 0f $39,552.09)
PURPLE STRATEGIES, JAMES HALLINAN, CAMPAIGN CONSULTING AND STRATEGIES, $20,453.12
PURPLE STRATEGIES, JAMES HALLINAN , Expense Reimbursement, $553.60
FULL COMPLIANCE CONSULTING, LLC P.O., BOBBI SHEARER, CONSULTING, $5,335.28
CUMULUS RADIO CORPORATION, Radio Advertising, $2,103.56
GABRIELLE RAEL, Fundraising Activities, $1,800.00
JESSICA PEREZ, Expense Reimbursement, $758.90
2. RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR A BETTER ALBUQUERQUE
PURPOSE: Support Albuquerque mayoral candidate who will improve the quality of life for it’s citizens as well as oppose candidates that are detrimental to the future growth and safety of Albuquerque.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT $10,550.00
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD $1,620.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD $1,050.00
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $11,120.00
MAJOR DONORS (TOTAL DONATIONS: $1,620.00)
FREDERICK REED, Business owner, $750.00
RON AND BETH PAIZ, Business Owners, (Editor’s note: Retired APD and BCS0) $600.00
RON PAIZ, , Business Owners, (Editor’s note: Retired APD and BCSO), $250
MAJOR EXPENDITURES
SAVANNAH ZAVELA, CONTRACTED TRANSPORTATION Services, $400.00
SAVANNAH ZAVELA, Fuel Costs for transportation, $150.00
DOMONIQUE LIMON, General Business CONTRACTED, NOTARY SERVICES, $250
CARLOS MCMAHON General Business, CONTRACTED INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES, $250
3. BUILD BACK ‘BURQUE
PURPOSE: Support Mayor Tim Keller’s re-election to a second term for the City of Albuquerque
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT $17,884.69
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $20,663.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $12,721.25
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $25,826.44
MAJOR DONORS ( Total Donations $20,663.00)
CORTAZAR LABORATORIES LLC, ALFREDO CORTAZAR, $5,000
$1,000 DONORS
PENELOPE REMBE, (Los Ranchos De Alb.), Not Employed
RICHARD KUHN, Media/Public Relations RK VENTURE
RICHARD KUHN, , Media/Public Relations RK VENTURE (Second donation)
RICHARD GUAY, General Business (Editor’s note: lobbyist
$500 DONORS
DIANE DENISH, former New Mexico Lt. Governor
HERB DENISH, NOT EMPLOYED (Editors note: former lobbyist)
DAVID DUHIGG, Attorney at Law
TONI MARTORELLI, Not Employed, (Editor’s note: wife of Attorney David Duhigg
ROBERT MCNEILL, Attorney at Law
ANNA SANCHEZ, EMPLOYER: CITY OF ALBUQERQUE
SARA SCHREIBER, EMPLOYER: AMERICA VOTES
BETSEY SWAN, NOT EMPLOYED
TIMOTHY ALLISON-HATCH, RETIRED
$250 DONORS
KATHLEEN WINSLOW, NOT EMPLOYED
KELLY O’DONNELL, Teacher/Education
KRISTIN REIDY, Santa Fe, EMPLOYER: EYE ASSOCIATES
WHEATON BYERS, EMPLOYER: Science/Technology VERUS RESEARCH
BERRIN VENER, Financial/Investment, HINKLE + LANDERS
CHARLES CALL, EMPLOYER: Science/Technology BIOFLYTE INC
$100 DONORS
JIM BACA, former Albuquerque Mayor
CHARLES WELLBORN, NOT EMPLOYED (Editor’s note: Retired Attorney at Law)
LAURO GUADERRAM, NOT EMPLOYED
CHARLES PURVIANCE, NOT EMPLOYED
SUSAN DICKENs, NOT EMPLOYED
MARGARET OBENAUF, NOT EMPLOYED
FRANK SPRING, Office and Administrative
BRUCE MADDEN, NOT EMPLOYED
LINDA ZIPP, NOT EMPLOYED
SHARON BRUCE, NOT EMPLOYED
MICHAEL HEN, NOT EMPLOYED
RAYMOND GRIFFIN, NOT EMPLOYED
MOLLY LUETHI, General Business, KEI & MOLLY TEXTILES
MAJOR EXPENDITURES (Total expenditures: $12,721.25)
STANFORD CAMPAIGN, AUSTIN, TX, ROB EBERHARDT CAMPAIGN RESEARCH, $4,000
NEW BLUE INTERACTIV, BETHESDA, MD, TARYN ROSENKRANZ DIGITAL FUNDRAISING, $3,500
ELECTIONS IN MOTION, SHAKER HEIGHTS, OHIO, SEAN MARCUS POLITICAL CONSULTING, $2,696.88
ROBERT LARA, Attorney at Law (Editor’s Note: Lara is the Treasurer of the MFC) $850
ROBERT LARA, Attorney at Law for Compliance Services, $800.00
SAUCEDO & CHAVEZ, P.C. MO CHAVEZ Attorney at Law, $585.22
4. ALBUQUERQUE AHEAD (City Council MFC)
PURPOSE: To support those candidates for city council who will move Albuquerque ahead and oppose those who will not.
EDITOR’S NOTE: When you examine the campaign finance reportS filed by Albuquerque Ahead, it is clear it is essentially a measured finance committee established by the Bernalillo County Republican Party to promote 2 Republican candidates for City Council. The two Republican candidates are former Republican City Councilor. Republican Dan Lewis is running in District 5against incumbent Democrat Cynthia Borrego. Republican Renee Grout is running for the District 9 City Council seat being vacated by long time serving, unknown, ineffective and unaccomplished Republican Don Harris.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT $7,278.15
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $12,500.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $1,924.73
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $17,853.42
MAJOR DONORS
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF BERN COUNTY, To SUPPORT DAN LEWIS and RENEE GROUT, $9,000.00
MOHAMMAD TAHAT, self employed, Construction/Engineering, To SUPPORT DAN LEWIS, $1,000
VICTOR JURY, EMPLOYER; SUMMIT COMPANIES, to promote Republican Dan Lewis, $500
VICTOR JURY, EMPLOYER: SUMMIT COMPANIES, to promote Republican Dan Lewis, $500, Second
JULIE WRIGHT, : Manufacturing, SELF Employed, SUPPORT DAN LEWIS and RENEE GROUT, $300
DANIEL CONKLIN, RETIRED, to promote Republican Dan Lewis, $250
MARY JANE HICKS, RETIRED, to promote Republican Dan Lewis, $200
$100 DONORS
MICKEY BARNETT, Attorney, (former Republican State Senator), to promote Dan Lewis
JULIE SILVERMAN, RETIRED, To SUPPORT DAN LEWIS and RENEE GROUT
DARLENE EVAN, RETIRED, to promote Republican RENEE GROUT
D’NETTE WOOD, RETIRED, To SUPPORT DAN LEWIS and RENEE GROUT
SCOTT APPLEMAN , RAINBOW RYDERS HOT AIR BALLOON CO
IN-KIND DONATIONS
JIMMY DASKALOS, Food Services, Food and Drink at event to support DAN LEWIS and RENEE GROUT $1,200.00
EL PATRON, JIMMY DASKALOS, Staff for fundraising, $300
MAJOR EXPENDITURES (Total $1,924.73)
AUTUMN INTEGRITY LLC, AUTUMN INTEGRITY, SET UP WEBSITE, FILING, REPORT, EMAILS, MANAGEMENT, $731.37
AGT LAWYER, LAWYER COMPLIANCE FILING, $269.69
5. ABQ FIREPAC
PURPOSE: Support candidates who support public safety & fire fighter issues.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD:$500.00
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD $350.00
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $150.00
MAJOR DONORS
ABQ AREA LOCAL PAC, JUSTIN CHENEY, $500
MAJOR EXPENDITURES
JUST YARD SIGNS, ORLANDO, FL, ALAN LEE PRINTING, $350.00
6. PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES ALBUQUERQUE
Purpose: Support candidates that support women’s reproductive healthcare and oppose those that don’t.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT -$0-
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: – $0-
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: -$0-
There have been no major donors nor expenditures.
7. NM FOR ART & SPORT
PURPOSE: SUPPORT BOND ISSUE
Designated Chairperson: David M Carl
Designated Treasurer: Desiree Kim
On August 5, this measured finance committee filed its registration with the City Clerk. There have been no donors nor expenditures. Ostensibly, the measured finance committee has been formed to raise donations to promote the $50 Million bond issue for a multipurpose sports stadium with the New Mexico United Professional Soccer team to be the primary tenant of the city owned facility. To date, no financial disclosure statements have been filed.
MAYOR CANDIDATES’ FINANCIAL REPORTS FILED
Both Mayor Tim Keller and Sheiff Manny Gonzales have filed their 5th Campaign finance reports.
TIM KELLER 5TH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT
Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller is the only candidate for Mayor that qualified for Public Finance and given $634,179.05 by the city. On August 9, the Keller Campaign filed the 5TH Campaign Finance report:
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT $562.92
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD $632,044.05
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD $30,022.41
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $602,584.56
MAJOR DONORS (Total Monetary Contributions: $632,044.05)
CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE TREASURY DEPT, Public Financing, $634,179.05
CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE TREASURY DEPT, Returned Contribution, ($2,135.00)
IN KIND DONATIONS (Total $19,555)
KEEFE LAW FIRM, LAUREN KEEFE for LEGAL SERVICES, $14,555.00
CURTIS & CO. LAW FIRM, LISA CURTIS, LEGAL SERVICES, $2,500.00
CURTIS & CO. LAW FIRM, LISA CURTIS, LEGAL SERVICES, $2,500.00
MAJOR EXPENDITURES (Total: $30,022.41)
HOLGUIN CONSULTING INC., NERI HOLGUIN CAMPAIGN CONSULTING, $23,732.50
BIOGEOCREATIONS LLC, MICHAEL SCISCO DIGITAL DESIGN SERVICES, $2,696.88
USLI, THOMAS P. NERNEY INSURANCE COMPANY, $836.00
CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, COPIES OF CAMPAIGN EXHIBITS, $405.70
MANNY GONZALES 5TH CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT
The City has qualified Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales to appear on the November municipal ballot finding he gathered the 3,000 qualifying signatures. However, the City has denied Manny Gonzales $660,000 in public financing finding impropriety in the collection of qualifying $5. Gonzales is continuing as a privately finance candidate.
CASH BALANCE FROM LAST REPORT: $9,028.56
TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTION THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $20,430.00 3
TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS REPORTING PERIOD: $2,790.90
CLOSING BALANCE THIS REPORTING PERIOD $26,667.66
MAJOR DONORS (Total $20,430.00)
$250 DONORS
GLORIA WENGERT, Retired
JOHN CHAVEZ, SELF EMPLOYED
Andrea Day, Techer
ROSE JEAN DURAN, Real Estate Professional
LARRY DAVIS, Retired
ELLIOTT FOUCAR, Retired
CHARLES HARMON, Business Owner, COOL BREEZE CONSTRUCTION
ANTHONY REEVE, Medical SELF EMPLOYED
CHRISTOPHER ROVETO, Healthcare/Medical SELF EMPLOYED
THERESA SIELER, General Business ESPHERA
PHYLIS THORSON, Retired
LISA VERES, Retired
SHARON WELLS, Retired
LOUIE GAMBOA, BOB’S BURGER’S
RON SHETTLESWORTH, Retired
LINDA ANDREOLI, Retired
RON SHETTLESWORTH, Retired
JIMMY SANCHEZ, Retired
Julia Sanchez, Retired
MICHAEL NIEMAN, Retired
ANDRES SALAZAR, Retired
CARLA SANCHEZ, EMPLOYER: Teacher/Education Aps
DANIEL SANCHEZ, EMPLOYER: General Business UPS
AUSTREBERTHA VIGIL, Retired
PAUL MAESTAS, EMPLOYER: Insurance Industry, SELF EMPLOYED
STEVE TAYLOR, Retired
JERRY CALDWELL, Retired
$200 DONORS
ROBERT VICK JR, Vick’s Vittles
THERESA ARAGON, Retired
JOHN LUNCERO, Retired
DANIEL COLLINS, Retired
DANIEL COLLINS, Retired
CHARLES EVANS, Retired
DEBBIE KING, Retired
LINDA TERRY, Retired
DOUGLAS WEIGLE, , Retired
$150 DONORS
MATTHEW CORDOVA, Retired
VIRGINIA GROSJEAN, Retired
PHILLIP GRASSHAM, Retired
PHILLIP GRASSHAM, Retired
JAY MILLER, RETIRED
MARY OLSON, RETIRED
$100 DONORS
FRANCES JEAN DEWENT, Retired
ABSOLUTE MECHANICA, PATRICK WHEELER HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, AND PLUMBING
WESLEY BARNES, Law Enforcement BERNALILLO COUNTY
Melba Baum, Retired
BEN BERG, Retired
KATHRYN BODE, Retired
ANGELA BYRE, Retired
JULIA C DE BACA, Retired
ANITA COLLINS, Retired
AARON SCHWARTZ, EMPLOYER: Law Enforcement BCSO
THE HALPER COMPANY, JEMEZ SPRINGS, JOHN HALPER CONSTRUCTION
TROY GRIMES, MESA DETECTION AGENCY
MICHAEL GUTHRIE, Bernalillo County
CHRISTOPHER RUI, RICH FORD
THOMAS TOLBERT, EMPLOYER: Teacher/Education
JAMES TOLEDO, SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES
FRANKLIN WALDORF, Retired
TIMOTHY WARNE, UTILITY BLOCK COMPANY
KEITH BREWER, Not employed
NANCY CARESS, Retail Sales RICOH USA
THOMAS KIST, Retired
CHRISTOPHER ROYBAL, Healthcare/Medical, CNM
ALBERT ZEMAN, Retired
HELEN MULLANE, Retired
JAMES MCCRORY, Self Employed
BLADE RUNNER FABRICATION, DOUG JENKINS
KATHLEEN SHERIFF, Retired
RITA GIANNINI, Retired
ESTHER MONTANO, Retired
BILL PROFFER, Owner ALBUQUERQUE FOREIGN AUTO PART
CASEY PROFFER, Owner ALBUQUERQUE FOREIGN AUTO PARTS
TYRA PROFFER, Owner ALBUQUERQUE FOREIGN AUTO PARTS
RICHARD BRYANT, Retired
CARL CHAVEZ, EMPLOYER: General Business TRIAD
CHARLES HALVERSON, Retired
LESLIE T HUFFMAN JR, Retired
NANCY SAUNDERS, Retired
GEORGE VANDEGRIFT, Retired
RON LEHMAN, Retired
EVERETT FARR, Retired
DAVID CONRADY, EMPLOYER: General Business JLL
RICHARD KAIN, Retired
MAJOR EXPENDITURE
HALO BRANDED, DANIEL BAZAN SCREEN PRINTING & EMBROIDERY, $1,935.00
ANEDOT, NEW ORLEANS, LA, PAUL DIETZEL DONATION PLATFORM, $550.90
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Mayor Tim Keller has qualified for public financing and his campaign has $602,584.56 in cash on hand, more than enough to run an effective media campaign. So far, the Keller Campaign’s biggest expense is money spent on campaign manager Neri Olguin. BUILD BACK ‘BURQUE, the measured finance committee formed to promote Keller has another $25,826.44, cash on hand with the notable donors being former Mayor and big spender Jim Baca donating $100 and former Lt. Governor DIANE DENISH and her husband each donating $500 for a total of $1,000.
It was on July 9, Albuquerque City Clerk Ethan Watson notified Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales’ that the city was denying his campaign $661,00 in public financing citing misconduct in the qualifying process and forgery of signatures on $5 qualifying donations. On Monday July 19, city hearing officer Ripley Harwood issued his written ruling on Manny Gonzales’ appeal of the City Clerks denial of public finance and found Manny Gonzales had failed to prove that Clerk Ethan Watson had acted inappropriately in denying him the public financing. Harwood specifically found that it was Gonzales’ responsibility to keep fraud and forgery in the gathering of the qualifying donations. Gonzales has filed an appeal to State District Court and the appeal has been delayed. All the District Court Judges have recused themselves and the New Mexico Supreme Court has not yet appointed a Judge to hear the case.
Gonzales is at a clear disadvantage as a result of the denial of public finance. At this point in time, he is left to fend for himself and he is not doing at all well raising money for his campaign. With less than 3 months left in the campaign, the $26,667.66 he has raised on his own is very inadequate to run a viable campaign. However, the two measured finance committees promoting Gonzales have made some progress and combined have raise an impressive $172,993, meaning if they continue to raise that kind of money and go negative on Keller with media buys, Gonzales has a chance to prevail The donors to SAVE OUR CITY are very notable and reflect that there is a large reliance on the construction industry and the real estate industry. The $10,000 donation from MICHELLE MAESTAS and the $5,000 donations each from, PAUL BLANCHARD, BLANCHARD CONSTRUCTION and Alb. Downs Casino Interest Owner, COBA REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC, (JAMES M. CURRY), ZACHARY SNYDER, Construction Engineer, MICHAEL A SISNEROS, Business Owner, will likely surprise more than a few people.
Complicating things for Manny Gonzales is the fact the Conservative Republican talk show host Eddy Aragon is running for Mayor and there is a major chance he will make the ballot, and if he does, his candidacy will in all likely draw more votes from Gonzales than Keller. Aragon will be a spoiler in the race. Stay tuned.