Attack campaign is retaliation
Arizona land developer sought support for unnecessary sprawl project
Albuquerque is a strong and special place. But our city faces real challenges and has endured too many excuses and too much finger-pointing from our local politicians and their entrenched financial backers.
Throughout my public service, and in my campaign for mayor, taking responsibility to find solutions has been a fundamental guiding principle. I’m humbled by the support of people from all walks of life who support my candidacy because they strive for leadership, and for solutions that are centered on our community, and standing up to the powerful and well connected, to actually get things done.
As a result, it is no surprise that after weeks of offensive and misleading attacks, Arizona land developer Jeff Garrett came out as the money behind the negative campaign against my candidacy.
The motivation for these attacks is clear. I met with Garrett, and he explained how he wants millions of our tax dollars to subsidize his sprawl project and that he will lose big without friends in City Hall.
Apparently, I was the only candidate who told him straight up that I did not think that was in the best interest of Albuquerque taxpayers. That’s why he is using offensive images to scare our community into making him money.
As I have stated from day one, as the father of two young children it is absolutely offensive to suggest that I would let anyone harm our kids, let alone make life easier for those who do. As state senator from Albuquerque’s International District, I did vote for a bill in 2011 designed to bring statewide consistency for parole and monitoring of sex offenders. The attorney general, sexual assault advocates and the sentencing board all supported the legislation.
As state auditor, I have been a champion for public safety and clearing the inexcusable rape kit backlog. That’s why victims advocates immediately stood in support of my record and the truth about these attacks.
On top of the false negative campaign, Garrett’s public comments about crime in our city are a slap in the face to Albuquerque’s front-line officers who officially announced that they are standing with me as their choice for mayor because of my tough stance on public safety and plans to bring immediate crime relief to our families on day one.