DPNM Chair Gonzales' Statement on Domenici Run

For Immediate Release
January 17, 2010

Albuquerque, NM – Following today’s announcement by Pete Domenici Jr., Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales released the following statement and background facts:

“Since Republicans insiders have been unable to find a candidate for Governor with an actual record of fighting for New Mexico families, they’re settling for the biggest name they could find. The people of New Mexico won’t be fooled. It’s common for voters to ask candidates for office ‘what have you done for me lately?’ In this case, they’ll be asking ‘what have you done for me ever?’”

A few facts about the Republican Party’s latest would-be Governor:

Domenici Jr. Calls Himself An “Environmental Lawyer” – FACT: When In Fact He Represents The Special Interests That Pollute New Mexico’s Environment…

Domenici Jr. Represented Ryder Truck Rental Inc. Responsible For Largest Diesel Fuel Spill in Albuquerque City History. Attorney Pete Domenici Jr. brokered an agreement between Ryder Truck Rental Inc. and the state Environment Department over the cost of cleaning up what Steve Reuter, chief of the state's Underground Storage Tank Bureau called the largest diesel fuel spill ever in the city. [AP, 3/11/00]

Domenici Jr. Represented Man Who Sought Permission To Discharge Up To 8,000 Gallons Per Day Of Dairy Wastewater Less Than Two Miles From Caballo Lake. Attorney Pete Domenici Jr. represented a dairy applying for a permit to discharge up to 8,000 gallons of dairy wastewater a day just 30 feet from a flood plain. The Environment Secretary Ron Curry said he opposed the permit because “New Mexico has limited surface water and we must protect it.” [AP, 2/28/08]

Domenici Jr. Represented Valencia County Dairy Indicted On 14 Counts Of Polluting Water Of Irrigation Canals. When defending dairy farm owner Nick Van Tol, attorney Pete Domenici Jr. said there was no environmental harm involved in the charges that Van Tol illegally discharged pollution into the water. The farm owner was indicted on 14 counts of dumping pollution into irrigation canals. State Attorney General Tom Udall said he took the case seriously, “Pollution of ground water is obviously a serious issue for a state that has scarce ground water resources.” [Albuquerque Journal, 4/17/97]

Domenici Jr. Represented Agronics Inc. Which Did Not Have Mining Permit; Agronics Inc. Also Cited For Failing To Obtain Ground Water Discharge Plan. Agronics Inc., a mining company shut down for failure to obtain a permit was represented by attorney Pete Domenici Jr. According to the Environment Department the company also failed to obtain an approved ground water discharge plan despite the potential for ground water contamination. [Albuquerque Journal, 4/18/00]

And Other Bad Actors, Such as the Infamous “Drunk Nurse” …

Domenici Jr. Represented Nurse Who Admitted To Treating 5-Year Old While Intoxicated. Attorney Pete Domenici Jr. said his client, Ann Barnes, a nurse at Lovelace Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic was skilled, despite her alcoholism. Barnes claimed she was not responsible for the death of a 5-year-old in 2004, despite her intoxication. [Albuquerque Journal, 2/14/08]