Tim Keller

State GOP criticizes Keller over emails

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The latest in a long line of public records accusations have come down, this time with the Republican Party of New Mexico criticizing the State Auditor for using a Gmail account. Tim Keller has been at the center of headlines, and in the crosshair of Republicans, for months. His office says it has to do with his investigation into Taxation and Revenue Department Secretary Demesia Padilla. The Santa Fe New Mexican first reported on the criticism from the political party. Concerning Keller’s use of the Gmail account, GOP spokesman Patrick Garrett said Tuesday, “Tim Keller’s obvious disregard for the law and transparent government is the epitome of hypocrisy.

Donald Trump

County GOP boots treasurer over Trump piñata

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After driving an effigy of presidential hopeful Donald Trump around the streets of Santa Fe and finally holding an event to destroy it, a Santa Fe Republican leader was removed from his position. As New Mexico Political Report previously reported, Ignacio Padilla held an event on the plaza in Santa Fe to give people a chance to break open a Donald Trump piñata. The Albuquerque Journal reported that the same day that Padilla held the event, the Santa Fe County Republican Party voted unanimously to remove Ignacio from his position as secretary. “I can expect something like that from the Communist Party, but not from the Republican Party,” he said in an interview with New Mexico Political Report. From the Journal:
But county GOP Chairwoman Jo Ann Eastham said Padilla had previously been warned not to go forward with the event.

Elections

GOP mail consultant also worked for Weh’s 2014 race

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By Sandra Fish | New Mexico In Depth

Starboard Communications, which sent the messed-up May fundraising letter on behalf of the New Mexico Republican Party, also worked in the state’s U.S. Senate race last year. The South Carolina consulting firm is identified in a report filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission by the party, which notes a payment of $2,213.83 for “Mailer/May Gentry Letter.” That letter featured a forged signature of House Majority Leader Nate Gentry and misspelled Gov. Susana Martinez’s name. It identified Gentry as “Speaker of the House Majority Leader.” Starboard may be from the East Coast, but the firm isn’t new to New Mexico politics.

News

State GOP goes after Keller, says his office ignored IPRA request (updated)

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The Republican Party of New Mexico says that the office of the State Auditor is not complying with the state’s Inspection of Public Records Act. In a press release sent to media on Wednesday afternoon, the party says it received no response from an IPRA request sent to State Auditor Tim Keller’s office on May 4. Because of this, the party sent a complaint to Attorney General Hector Balderas. Update: The office of the State Auditor has responded to the request in a document dated May 20. The response calls the request “excessively burdensome” and that the office “will need additional time to respond to your requests but we will do so as soon as is reasonably practicable.”

Elections

State GOP send out letter sent with typos, mistakes

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The Republican Party of New Mexico is asking people to disregard a letter sent to thousands of households throughout the state, according to a report from a local TV station. The letter was filled with mistakes and even misspelled the name of Gov. Susana Martinez. House Majority Leader Nate Gentry told KOB-TV that the letter was a draft and should not have been sent out. The TV station said in addition to the misspelling of the governor’s name, the letter referred to Gentry as “Speak of the House” and used the official state seal. The Albuquerque Republican is not Speaker of the House, but rather the House Majority Leader.