Highlights from the latest campaign finance reports.
Any savvy mechanic entrusted with examining the gears of the New Mexico political machine has a simple three-word axiom in their toolbox: Follow the money.
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We're not one to disregard axioms (or mechanic metaphors), so we pored over the latest campaign finance reports to dig up kernels of wisdom on more than a dozen candidates running for public office. Besides, with the primary election over (polls were still open when SFR went to press on June 6) and the general election still five months away, we had some spare time on our hands.
The following statistics are taken from the June 1 campaign finance reports filed with the New Mexico Secretary of State. The numbers effectively cover each candidate's contributions and expenditures for the month of May.
Money raised for Gov. Bill Richardson's re-election campaign during the June 1 filing period: $553,084.
Money raised for Richardson's primary competitor, Republican gubernatorial candidate JR Damron: $23,804.48.
Money raised for write-in Republican gubernatorial candidate Dr. George Brent Bailey, Jr.: $70.
Total unpaid campaign debt for Bill Richardson as of the June 1 filing: $0.
Total unpaid campaign debt for Damron: $120,000.
Contribution given to Damron by State Sen. Steven A Komadina, R-Sandoval: $2,000.
Nickname-inspired by a Tone Loc song-we would give Komadina if given the chance: "Funky Komadina."
Value of an "in-kind contribution" Damron received for a wardrobe consultation: $577.67.
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Amount lieutenant governor candidate and State Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, R-Bernalillo, gave to Damron's campaign: $10,294.48.
Latest book produced by Florida novelist Randy Fridley (donor of $100 to Bill Richardson):
Sedona Women
, described on the book's cover jacket as a "tender magical story of love."
Latest book produced by Colorado novelist Tom Barron (donor of $1,000 to state land commissioner candidate Jim Baca):
The Great Tree of Avalon (Book 2)
, which has something to do with Merlin.
Single biggest contributor to the re-election campaign for Republican incumbent Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons: Patrick Lyons ($20,250).
Amount of contributions made to Lyons from oil and gas (or "energy production") interests: $3,300.
Amount of contributions made to Democratic candidate for land commissioner Ray Powell from oil and gas interests: $2,000.
Amount of contributions made to Democratic candidate for land commissioner Jim Baca from oil and gas interests: $0.
Amount of contributions made to State Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe, from oil and gas interests: $2,450.
Amount of contributions made to Varela from horse racing and gambling interests: $2,200.
Percentage of contributions given to state auditor candidate Jeff Armijo by state auditor candidate Jeff Armijo: 83 percent.
Total expenditures spent by Armijo on gasoline: $1,056.50.
Average amount paid by Armijo for each of 18 fill-ups recorded during the filing period: $58.69.
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Odds that Armijo drives an SUV and/or a Bradley Fighting Vehicle: pretty good.
Amount paid by Armijo to provide coffee for campaign volunteers at Stefan's Restaurant in Antonito, Colo.: $4.40.
Total amount in expenditures paid by attorney general candidate Geno Zamora to the Virginia advertising firm Media Strategies: $222,800.
Contribution given to Zamora by the Geo Group, a private prison management company from Florida: $10,000.
Amount paid as an expenditure by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish to the Bernalillo County Democratic Party Chili Cook-off: $200.
Amount paid as an expenditure by Denish for make-up: $400.
Amount that magistrate judge candidate Eli Senna spent at Desert Tee's & Sports for "T-shirts and awards for special event": $793.75.
Amount that Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano paid to ButtonSafari.com for campaign buttons: $62.69.
Amount contributed by Santa Fe County Probate judge candidate Jacob "Jackie" Block to the campaign of Santa Fe County sheriff candidate Linda Ortiz: $20.
Expenditure made by Santa Fe County assessor candidate Domingo Martinez for campaign postcards: $1,880.56.
Amount that state auditor candidate Thomas Buckner spent for political event prizes from the Farmers Feed Store in Los Ranches de Albuquerque: $75.59.
Bill for a Verizon cell phone paid by Democratic state treasurer candidate James Lewis: $377.63.
Ticket price for June 3 fundraiser for Lewis at Zinc Wine Bar in Albuquerque: $25
Ticket price for June 7 buffet lunch with Richardson in Lincoln County: $20
Number of contributors to Richardson's campaign that listed "attorney" or "law firm" as their occupation: 40.
Number of contributors to Richardson's campaign that listed "State of New Mexico" as their occupation: 35.
Number of contributors to Richardson's campaign that listed "yoga instructor/teacher" as their occupation: 2.
Number of states (other than New Mexico) represented in contributions to Richardson: 18, not counting Washington DC, the Virgin Islands and one contributor from France.
Approximate percentage of the $553,084 given during the filing period to Bill Richardson from out-of-state individuals or companies: 65 percent.
