DPNM's Statement on Chavez Entry into Auditor Race

Albuquerque, NM – Yesterday the Republican Party Chairman, Harvey Yates, announced he had “recruited” Errol Chavez to abandon his failed campaign for State Land Commissioner in order to run for yet another position, State Auditor. This is an unfortunate example of the Republican Party recruiting candidates who abandon races as soon as they start them.

“This is the kind of insider maneuvering that New Mexicans are sick of,” said Democratic Party Chair, Javier Gonzales. “While Yates and Chavez sit around behind closed doors deciding which job they want next, our current State Auditor, Hector Balderas, has been working hard for the people of New Mexico, fighting government fraud, waste and abuse.

Gonzales continued, “By instituting the state's first fraud hotline and measures so all governments are annually held accountable for their spending, Balderas has proven that he will find innovative ways to protect New Mexicans. New Mexicans deserve principled leaders who want to serve the public, not politicians who want to serve political insiders.”

Ironically, several prominent members of the Republican Party recently praised Auditor Balderas on an independent political blog, www.nmpolitics.net. Republican political blogger, Mario Burgos, was quoted as saying, “(Balderas)…is leading the fight to get criminals behind bars. He seems to be doing his job well and with little concern whether the elected criminals have an R or D attached to their name.” Furthermore, Republican House Minority Whip, Keith Gardner, R-Roswell, also applauded Balderas’ work, saying, “I may be partisan, but I’m more than willing to put politics aside when someone is doing a great job. Keep it up Mr. Auditor.”

On the other hand, Errol Chavez was recently quoted in the NM Independent, clearing up that “he considered running for Congress, but ultimately decided that his executive experience in law enforcement made land commissioner a better fit.” Apparently Chavez thought he should run for Congress, Land Commissioner and now State Auditor – all in less than a year.

“With the challenges New Mexicans face today and down the road, we need the proven leadership and experience that Hector Balderas has brought to the State Auditor's Office,” said Gonzales, “This office is too important to be decided by a game of musical chairs. State Auditor Balderas' campaign to aggressively fight government fraud and corruption deserves the support of all New Mexicans – and that includes Yates and Chavez.”