Former Republican Congressman Steve Pearce, who has outraised freshman incumbent Rep. Harry Teague, in the last two quarters, is now touting polling data which shows him with a slight lead in this year's 2nd Congressional District race.
The Tarrance Group poll, commissioned by Pearce, surveyed 401 likely voters between February 16-18, shows Pearce with a 4 percent lead in the 2010 election -- clearly inside the poll's 4.9 percent margin of error.
However, the good news for Teague, according to National Journal's Hotline On Call blog, is that he continued to outperform the Democrat generic ballot, meaning that some voters who are turned off by the Democrat brand still feel some connection to the Southern New Mexico incumbent.
The bad news is that he's still way below 50%, and the rest of those votes will be hard to make up -- even in a district that has more Democrat voters registered.
Pearce is listed as a "Young Gun" on this NRCC list.
Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate Steve Pearce out raised Democratic incumbent Harry Teague once again in the fourth quarter of 2009, but Teague still leads in overall fundraising during the election cycle.
That’s according to fourth-quarter fundraising reports that have been filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Pearce raised $252,463 and spent $142,368.43 during the reporting period, according to his report. He ended 2009 with $569,607.37, and has raised $760,308.06 overall for his bid to unseat Teague.
During the fourth quarter, $45,750 of the money he raised came from political action committees.
Teague raised $157,119.81 during the reporting period – with $76,400 of it coming from PACs – plus he had another $29,800 transferred to his campaign account from other authorized committees, so his total receipts added up to $188,511.27. He spent $57,660.80, according to his report. To date in the election cycle, he’s raised $1.077 million, and he ended 2009 with $885,635.91 on hand.
The committee transfers noted in Teague's year end report reflects money raised during a joint fundraiser with Rep. Martin Heinrich, which included a trip to Albuquerque by Vice President Joe Biden.
Note: This report was updated to accurately report the committee transfer money.
Congressman Harry Teague encouraged New Mexico’s working families to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
“In these economic times, it is more important than ever that New Mexico’s eligible families take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit,” Teague said. “I fought to expand the EITC because we need to make sure that working families get their tax dollars back so they can continue to help turn the economy around. I encourage my constituents to take advantage of free tax preparation sites and resources, so they can make sure they receive the benefits they deserve this tax filing season.”
In an effort to help struggling families during the economic downturn, Teague sponsored an amendment to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will temporarily increase and expand the eligibility of the EITC.
Each year, the credit helps approximately 24 million working families, including over 200,000 in New Mexico, make ends meet. However, an estimated five to seven million eligible taxpayers nationwide do not claim benefits they are entitled to through the EITC.
In 2009 more than 200,000 New Mexican families received the EITC with an average award of $2,054. In 2010 the EITC has been temporarily increased and expanded to include families with three or more children. In addition, the amount of EITC benefits current beneficiaries receive has been increased, making over 650,000 new families eligible nationwide.
Families making up to $48,000 may qualify for the credit, which may be worth more than $5,600.
Updated to include audio from telephone interview.
Former U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, who lost his bid to replace Sen. Pete Domenici last fall, wants his 2nd Congressional District Seat back. Today he announced he'll run for the Republican Party nomination and try to unseat first-term Representative Harry Teague.
Pearce wasn't expected to make a final decision until after July 20th, but made the decision to campaign over the 4th of July Holiday.
Pearce told 770KKOB News Director Pat Allen, in this telephone interview, that he considered running for Governor, "but at the end of the day most of the issues I've worked on are national."
Last week political blogger Joe Monahan said despite Teague's vote for the Cap and Trade bill it will be a tough battle for Pearce to regain his seat.
Even if Teague's energy vote does hurt him some with voters in the SE portion of the district, there is still a major problem with the GOP Teague death wish. It's called Dona Ana County.
From the campaign - news release .
Hobbs, NM -- For the past half year, I have stood by and hoped for the best for our state and country. I had hoped Harry Teague would look out for the hard working people of New Mexico.
Sadly while I hoped for the best, Harry Teague embraced a reckless set of policies that directly jeopardize our economy and threatens future generations.
He went to Washington and quickly voted for massive amounts of wasteful spending, loading up on pork barrel projects and radically increasing the size of government.
Now Harry Teague chose to vote for the job-killing cap and trade bill. If this bill becomes law, it will devastate jobs in New Mexico and further cripple the American economy.
Harry Teague’s cap and trade bill will:
* Hit families with as much as $1500 a year in higher energy costs. * Destroy jobs in New Mexico’s energy sector. *Will cost New Mexico over $200 million in higher electricity bills, but lower costs in California and New York.
Harry Teague put his allegiance to the liberal leadership of Nancy Pelosi ahead of the working families of New Mexico.
I can not let this happen to the people of New Mexico. So today, I am signing paperwork to run for the Second Congressional District. This district needs a Congressman who will fight for jobs for New Mexico families. Harry Teague won’t. I will.
My bread and butter comes from my job as the Chief Political Reporter at 770KKOB Radio. It's part of the Citadel Broadcasting Group in Albuquerque.
Today, our General Manager sent this email out asking for support in the community to battle the "performance tax," which would negatively impact music radio stations across the country.
Senator Tom Udall, supported a similar measure when he was in the House of Representatives. Now he's on the Senate Commerce Committee, which has oversight on the issue. That Committee will review a companion resolution in the Senate.
Sen. Bingaman is on the record already and says he opposes the performance tax.
Already, two of New Mexico's new Representatives are offering to defeat the proposal. Now we just need one more congressional delegate and we'll have a clean sweep.
Please read Milt's letter and see if you have time to help, especially if you enjoy FREE, over the air, broadcast, MUSIC.
From General Manager Milt McConnell:
Greetings. I am writing today on a very important matter that is making the rounds of both the House and Senate in Washington , D.C. Some of you may already know about the Performance Tax that the record industry wants to impose on us. I can tell you first hand that it will be extremely detrimental to our livelihoods. First, it would (ironically) result in less new music being played on our FM radio stations. The measure would take 20% of our gross revenues and feed them to the foreign owned record labels. It would not only export $$$ from New Mexico, but I can assure you, that it would result in job losses in an industry that has already taken a beating from this economy.
I need you to do one simple thing. I urge you (and please feel free to send this to all of your friends and family network who care about FREE OVER THE AIR RADIO) to contact Congressman Martin Heinrich's office and ASK (URGE) him to sign onto H.Con. Res 49. This is a Congressional Resolution, that if we get the needed 218 votes, would effectively remove the opposing legislation (H.R. 848) from coming to a floor vote in the House of Representatives.
As of this writing, we are very near the number we need. Just today, both of our other two representatives, Congressman Harry Teague and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, signed onto Resolution 49. Also, you should know under the leadership of our Senior Senator Jeff Bingaman, he has signed onto the companion resolution in the Senate.
But this fight can be OVER by getting Congressman Heinrich to sign onto H. Con. Res 49. I know all of you have cell phones and friends with them. We have posted Congressman Heinrich's contact information on the 770 KKOB, 93.3 KKOB FM and 92.3 KRST websites.
For the past 80 years, the relationship between the music industry and radio has been mutually profitable for both industries. You know how much FREE PROMOTION we give for the FREE MUSIC we receive. And, you also might be aware that we already pay composers and songwriters for their work....a combined $2 MILLION dollars in our building alone in the last 5 years. The artists can trade on their name. Think about all of the CD giveaways, artist interviews....back stage meet and greets that we do.....not to mention the flyaways and other FREE promotion that we give artists.
Radio can't be held accountable for the fact that the record industry did not build the digital age into their business model. A direct tax on radio's already suffering profitability would force a wholesale rethinking of our station's formats, staffing and our ability to contribute to the communities we serve. And this DOES effect our News/Talk/Sports stations equally in the building. IF it were to pass, I can see many music stations opting for more spoken word format and fractionalize our News/Talk/Sports franchise which is so critical to our building. It is a disruption that SHOULD NEVER BE CONSIDERED, especially in this economic environment.
As you know I rarely send a group e-mail like this...but literally our future and our ability to broadcast is threatened.
Please take a moment and contact Congressman Heinrich's office and ask him to support New Mexico jobs and money staying in the state by signing onto H. Con. Res 49.
New Mexico is set to received $953 million dollars from the American Reocvery and Reinvestment Act. That's less money than originally planned, and it cuts funding for school construction. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall believe spending the money will create jobs and get people back to work in the state.
Bingaman's proposal to offer companies a 30 percent tax credit for investing in renewable energy facilities is still intact, and Sen. Udall says he's proud he added a measure to give employeers tax incentives for hiring returning veterans or taking vets off the unemployement roles.
Meanwhile, all three of the state's congressional representatives have signed their name on a letter urging congressional leaders to restore funding for school construction.
This is their news release:
Washington, DC – Today, Congressmen Ben Ray Luján, Martin Heinrich and Harry Teague sent a letter to Congressional leadership in advance of the conference on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The letter urges House and Senate leadership to include the House-passed education figures in the final conference report. The House version of the bill included significant support to local school districts for school construction, Title 1-A and IDEA – programs that will benefit students and help get our economy back on track. The Senate passed their version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today by a vote of 61 to 37.
"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act should create jobs immediately and prepare our children for jobs of the future," said Luján. "Education measures in the House version achieved both of these goals through an investment in school modernization, repair and renovation projects, and funding to protect key education programs. School construction puts people back to work and funding to states to prevent education cuts keeps teachers in the classroom where they are able to prepare young people for the jobs of the future.
As the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan moves to conference, I am proud to join with my colleagues to urge leadership to maintain support for education and school construction." “With New Mexico facing a $454 million budget shortfall, the need for a comprehensive recovery package that addresses our education needs is critical. Our local schools and governments should not have to make the choice between service cuts or higher taxes,” said Congressman Harry Teague. “A comprehensive recovery package that includes immediate investments in education will not only help New Mexico save and create critical jobs but strategic investments in education will help New Mexico become stronger, more productive and competitive.”
“In order to turn this economy around as quickly as possible, we need to ensure that we are making a substantial and immediate investment in our education system,” said Rep. Heinrich. “The education funding I voted for in the House-passed version of the recovery package will save existing jobs and create new jobs by hiring new teachers, and investing in school construction and renovation.”
The House passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last week. The House version of the legislation included $329 million to New Mexico for K-12 education and over $39 million to New Mexico for higher education modernization, renovation, and repair. It also included $419 million to New Mexico for the state fiscal stabilization fund, which could prevent cuts in the state education budget. The Senate compromise removed $16 billion school construction, $40 billion for the state fiscal stabilization fund, and all of the funding for higher education modernization, renovation, and repair.
Senator Jeff Bingaman greeted Ben Ray Lujan, Martin Heinrich, Tom Udall and Harry Teague in Washington on Wednesday. The Rep-elects are in Washington for freshman orientation.
While all the Dems above seem to smiling and having a great meeting, Republicans, back home, are still nursing their wounds from an election day beat down.
And rumors are swirling as the Republicans try to figure out how to bounce back.
Joe Monahan inaccurately reported Sheriff Darren White was considering a run for ABQ Mayor next fall.
NOT TRUE JOE.
White told us tonight, "No Way!" He would not say what he was going to do in two years, but said he's happy being Bernalillo County Sheriff now.
NO WEH.
Earlier this week, we posted a letter to the ABQ Journal from Farmington Doctor Allen McCulloch, who has openly criticized current GOP Chairman Allen Weh, and acurately reported he's considering putting his name into the hat to become the chairman of the NM Republican Party. He'll host a get together in ABQ on Friday night to get the ball rolling.
Now we're learning, from a NMFBIHOP report, that Steve Pearce, who lost his Senate Bid to Tom Udall, may also be considering a run for party chairman, but that's less likely if he ultimately want to run for Governor in 2010.
A Hat Full of Names
We've learned that Pete Dinelli, who worked for then Attorney General Jeff Bingaman for three years, is definitely putting his name into consideration to become the U.S. Attorney in New Mexico. Dinelli may have the inside track with the Senior Senator. How much influence will Governor Bill Richardson and Jr. Senator Tom Udall have on Bingaman's final recommendation?
Dinelli's pursuit of the U.S. Attorney's post could be a sign that Mayor Marty Chavez is nearing a decision to run for a third term.
Dinelli was said to be waiting for his boss to make a move before deciding whether or not to enter the city-wide contest himself.
A Democratic aide reports Illinois Representative and former member of the Clinton administration, Rahm Emanuel has accepted a position as Barack Obama's Chief of Staff.
We talked to Rep. Emanuel this summer during a campaign stop in New Mexico for newly elected congressmen Martin Heinrich, Harry Teague and Ben Ray Lujan.
Listen to our interview with Emanuel here.
For more coverage on Emanuel's summer visit check out LP's coverage on FBIHOP.
After leaving the Clinton White House, Emanuel was an investment banker on Wall Street and later was elected to the House of Representatives from a heavily Democratic Chicago district. He quickly rose to become the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House.
Ahead of the 2008 General Election, I interviewed all seven candidates for the U.S. House and both U.S. Senate Candidates.
Each interview was limited to five questions, dealing with the U.S. Economy & Gas Prices, The War in Iraq, Health Care in the U.S., Education and the No Child Left Behind Act, and I also asked each why they wanted to represent New Mexico in Washington, D.C.
To hear the interviews with Tom Udall, Steve Pearce, Ben Ray Lujan, Dan East, Carol Miller, Ed Tinsley, Harry Teague, Martin Heinrich and Darren White visit the 770KKOB on-line Voter Guide here.
The State Republican party is accusing 2nd Congressional Democrat Harry Teague, who has worked in the oil and gas industry since he was a teen, of receiving $1.2 million in “Corporate Welfare” in 2004.
The Federal loan-guarantee program was designed to invest financial resources and provide technical assistance to businesses and cooperatives in rural communities.Each business is responsible for repayment, which includes interest.
Retiring Senator Pete Domenici originally championed the RBCS program that his colleagues now claim “is the kind of pork barrel, corporate welfare spending that is running up the federal budget deficit and threatening the economy.”
The Word has learned the loan guarantee was privately funded by the Western Commerce Bank of Hobbs and at no cost to tax payers. According to democratic staffers the RBCS the loan was paid back on time, in full, and with interest in 2006.
Teague’s company, ABC Rental Tool, only employed 13 people before the loan, but The Word has learned the Rural Business Cooperative Service program help create another 37 jobs in Hobbs and other rural areas of New Mexico where 17% of the population lives below the poverty level.Teague owns several companies and employees around 250 people.
"I'm proud to have taken part in one of Sen. Domenici's most successful programs," Teague said. "Because of the Rural Business Cooperative Service, I was able to create over 70 good paying jobs in places like Eunice and Jal. In Congress, I look forward to supporting bi-partisan legislation which, like the Rural Business Cooperative Service, helps rural Americans achieve the American Dream."
The Agriculture Department program has also helped numerous other projects in New Mexico, including the renovation of the Eklund Hotel in Clayton, NM, which Sen. Domenici praised as "wonderful news."
"Any good businessman would know the difference between a loan guarantee and a loan - and that this program, championed by Sen. Domenici, helped create good paying jobs for rural New Mexicans," said Teague Campaign Manager Frank Costanzo.
Republican party leaders say, “Harry Teague knows the system, worked the system and used the system to reap windfall profits in his private companies, the revenues of which are a secret.”
“He will have you believe his business is an American success story, but the reality is that he’s a well-connected insider who can – and does - pick up the phone to reach well- established Democrat political operators,” said State GOP Communications Director Shira Rawlinson.
Earlier this year, the Diana M. Alba at the Silver City News reported that Teague told a small group, “You can check my past record. … I don’t think I’ve ever been incompatible with being anything other than just fair with the oil and gas industry. They don’t need any handouts.”
Meanwhile, Teague’s team told The Word voters should be focused on Republican Ed Tinsley’s $52,000 federal subsidy (between 1995 and 2006) to help operate a privately owned ranch.
The Word met up with Teague who talked to us about the Southern District, the 8th Largest in land area in the U.S. being selected by the DNCCC as a "Red to Blue" contest this fall.
To hear the interview click the pink play button (sometimes twice).
Harry Teague for Congress campaign launched its second television ad highlighting Harry's contributions to his community. The ad will run district-wide on broadcast and cable TV. Harry Teague is the Democratic candidate running to replace U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce in New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District.
"When I was 17, I had to go to work to support my family because my father got sick and didn't have health insurance. I remember what it was like to not have health insurance when a loved one is ill and I don't want any family to go through that. That's why I try to give back, why I provide health insurance to my employees - and free college tuition and good wages. Everyone who works hard deserves a shot at the American dream."
To view the ad aimed at Teague's community involvement visit the campaign's website.
Former Republican Congressman Steve Pearce, who has outraised freshman incumbent Rep. Harry Teague, in the last two quarters, is now touting polling data which shows him with a slight lead in this year's 2nd Congressional District race.
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