The Line: PAC Spending In Bernalillo County Commission Race

May 20, 2016 – A political action committee with connections to developers of the proposed Santolina project have donated money to the campaigns of two contenders for the Bernalillo County Commission’s District Two seat.

The candidates in the Democratic primary are Steven Michael Quezada, Robert Chavez, and Adrian A Pedroza. Republican Patricia B. Paiz does not have a primary challenger and will face winner of the Democratic primary.

The Albuquerque Journal reported in May that a new PAC named New Mexicans for New Mexico is behind billboards that promoted Quezada using his role on the television series Breaking Bad. The Journal reported that donors to the PAC include Jeffery Garrett, president of a development company associated with the Santolina project. The PAC has already spent money to support Quezada and Chavez.

The Bernalillo County Commission approved the Santolina Master Plan last year, but developers are seeking funds and additional approvals from the commission to move the project forward.

The Santolina Master Plan in southwest Albuquerque faces continued opposition from some local groups. The Contra Santolina Working Group argued in an op-ed in NM Political Report that concerns about water, health and infrastructure needs are not properly addressed in the plan.

What do you think about PAC spending in this race? Post your comments here or get in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Line Panelists:
Mark Boitano, former Republican state lawmaker
Martha Burk, political psychologist and author of “Your Voice, Your Vote”
Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal staff writer
Alicia Manzano, Strategies 360