McCamley says half of savings in campaign
SANTA FE — State Rep. Bill McCamley says he has put half his life savings into his campaign for auditor.
Campaign records show that McCamley, a Democrat from Las Cruces, has loaned his campaign about $45,000 — no small amount given that McCamley lives in a studio apartment, with no significant source of income outside his legislative per diem.
The loan triggered some online criticism from opponents who juxtaposed it with the lack of income shown on McCamley’s financial disclosure statements.
In an interview, McCamley said the $45,000 comes from savings he built up in his previous job selling solar panels and from a small inheritance from his grandmother.
And he has dedicated his life the last few years to the Legislature, he said, with just work under small contracts on occasion to supplement his per diem. McCamley said he’s frugal, drives an old car and doesn’t take vacations.
“I would hope that voters wanted someone like me who has put a focus in their personal life on doing the job because they believe so strongly in helping people,” he said, “and that’s what I’ve tried to do.”
McCamley is competing with Albuquerque attorney Brian Colón for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican Wayne Johnson in the fall.
Johnson is now serving as auditor, after the governor appointed him late last year to fill a vacancy.
BALLOT DEADLINE: The Secretary of State’s Office says a key ballot printing deadline is Monday.
That means Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca is running out of time in his legal challenge to knock a rival off the ballot.
Apodaca alleges that state Sen. Joseph Cervantes didn’t gather enough valid signatures to appear on the ballot, though a judge dismissed the suit on technical grounds. Apodaca is asking the court to reconsider.
BURCKLE RETIRING: Ed Burckle — who has served in Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration since she took office in 2011 — is retiring as the cabinet secretary for the General Services Department.
Replacing him is Ned Fuller, a former judge and chief of the litigation bureau in the state Risk Management Division.