My opponent is running on the platform that Otero County's Investments are not producing the same returns as "similar counties", however he is referring to Bernalillo County, one that is not similar in any way. First off, he is comparing apples to oranges! Bernalillo is a Class A county and can invest in riskier/greater return instruments, that Otero County, as a Class B county cannot. Pursuant to NMSA 1978 6-10-10, which lays out what each class of county may invest in. He then goes on to say he would be much better at investing the County's money because he has the fore knowledge to know when rates will increase. Our office has never operated on Elected Officials opinions we have always followed the letter of the law and do not have crystal balls to forecast the future. It's our job to keep Otero County's Funds SAFE!!
This statement is quite presumptuous and judgmental and I will address it directly. I WILL be receiving a raise if elected as County Treasurer. Raises typically come with greater responsibility. However, that is NOT the reason I am running. I am running to continue the excellence we have had in this office for the last 16 years. I count it as a blessing to serve Otero County and would appreciate your vote to continue.
Every public employee is required to contribute ~10% of their pay to Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA).
I am in favor of term limits! My opponent however, feels that administrators that trade positions, when one has reached their term limit is breaking the spirit of thought our forefathers had when writing the NM State Constitution. If that was the case they would have included a phrase forbidding it when writing the law. The answer is simply that trading positions at the limit of one official's term has nothing to do with the fact that their position has ended.
If an official has worked successfully with his/her political appointee (Chief Deputy), the office does not have to lose the successes achieved. The experience gained and the reputation of the office continues. If voters do not like the way the office has been run, they vote for someone new. If they do like the way the office has been run, then they vote for experience which is the best test for what will continue in the office.
Laura Whiteside, the current County Treasurer, and I both began working in the Treasurer's Office 16 years ago in 2007 and we did not know each other previously. We learned every aspect of the office and eventually began being promoted. Laura Whiteside ran for office in 2016 and took office in 2017. She appointed me as Chief Deputy because she trusted me. She had worked with me for 10 years at this point and we shared work ethic and she could trust that I was properly trained and capable of the position. No official interview is needed when you are familiar with someone's work. A political appointee is not an employee and does not fall under the personnel policy of the County.
Likewise, I cannot think of a more qualified Chief Deputy Treasurer than the one who has been doing the job for the last 16 years, Laura Whiteside. There will not be an interview process because the only two people in Otero County that may be more qualified, Grace Gonzalez and Cathe Prather are retired and not interested in the position.
In 2018, Yvette Herrell decided to run for Congress and her position in the House became open and the local Republican party approached me and asked me to run for that position. I decided to run, knowing that if Otero County lost that Republican position it would be detrimental. I held that position for 4 years and when I ran for reelection in 2022, a young man came out of the woodwork to run against me. He moved here with the sole intention of winning that seat and was successful. Like his domestic partner Karl Melton, who is now running against me, he twisted words and told half truths to misrepresent my voting record. The Truth is I voted to ban abortion, tax cuts, protecting your second amendment rights and against socialist programs. I represented the Conservative Agenda to a tee and in doing so was awarded the CPAC Award for Conservative Achievement. I am VERY CONSERVATIVE. If you care to do your own research you can check my voting record at www.nmlegis.com
This statement is false. The rest of the picture is on the left, it was taken from the Women's Caucus when I was on the House of Representatives. There were many democrats and republicans in the picture. The excerpts of Facebook posts on the flyer were not initiated by me. They were posted on Independent Voters of Otero County page, a page I am not even a member of.
I feel that this statement of his experience is misleading. His resume was obtained from the City of Alamogordo Website. It does not reflect 12 years of experience and any experience he does have in "finance" is not relevant to being a County Treasurer.
https://alamogordonm.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2823/files/attachment/10277
False, HB 43 in 2021 was the Black Education Act. The State of NM was sued in a lawsuit called Yazzie vs. Martinez, which found that the State did not have effective accountability systems to ensure students are receiving a sufficient and equitable education, however, black children were not addressed. This legislation included them as well; it was NOT CRT. Every member of the House and Senate, voted in favor of this bill, both Republicans and Democrats.
Steve Brockett, a respected local business man (Waffle Shoppe) and past City Mayor did donate to my campaign. The lie comes in where the mailer states that Mr. Brockett is Biden's friend and this is where knowing your Alamogordo history helps. Alamogordo was severely flooded in 2006. Biden and Bingaman secured $4 million for Alamogordo in flood control money, Phase 2 while Brockett was Mayor. Steve Brockett is not considered "radical left" by any means, however, as County Treasurer it will be my job to work for everyone regardless of party affiliation.
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