Over the next couple of weeks, the Piñon Post will be posting exclusive one-on-one interviews with all the New Mexico gubernatorial candidates who have responded to requests.
In these interviews, Piñon Post editor and founder John Block will ask a multitude of questions about these candidates’ experience, what they would do as governor, and why they are cut out for the job.
Interview requests have been extended to all seven Republican gubernatorial candidates on the Republican side, which have all been accepted. Incumbent Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was afforded the opportunity for an interview. As of Sunday, August 29, Lujan Grisham’s office has not responded or accepted the invitation.
In fairness to all the candidates for governor, their interviews will be no longer than 40 minutes each and will include questions related to their experience, as well as some questions asked to all of them. The interviews will be posted in alphabetical order by their last name, to attempt the highest level of fairness to all and no appearance of favoritism to any such candidate. They will appear in this order: Karen Bedonie, Jay Block, Rebecca Dow, Ethel Maharg, Louie Sanchez, Tim Walsh, and Greg Zanetti.
“I look forward to New Mexicans being able to hear directly from the candidates for governor, without the filter of the mainstream media spin,” said Block. “These interviews will give each candidate ample time and an equal platform for them to lay out their platforms and ideas while giving the public a resource to make up their own minds about the candidates.”
“If Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is serious about keeping her seat in 2022, she will join all seven Republican candidates and accept the Piñon Post’s invitation for a meaningful interview.”
The Piñon Post has made it a policy of not endorsing candidates.
On Tuesday, the Secretary of State’s office cleared Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on an ethics complaint regarding her use of campaign dollars for hair and makeup expenses through her daughter, Erin Grisham.
Despite state law and the Secretary of State’s own guidelines explicitly forbidding candidates from using campaign funds for cosmetic expenditures, the Secretary of State’s office appeared to reverse its prior guidelines, giving the all-clear to state candidates to use donors’ funds for beauty needs if they are related to the campaign.
The letter reads as follows:
Note: (CRA is the complaint and NMFM is New Mexicans for Michelle, the Governor’s campaign committee).
The crux of the CRA allegation is that “The governor’s personal use of campaign funds for hair and makeup through her daughter is a violation of New Mexico state law, as hair and makeup are not appropriate uses of campaign dollars, as set forth by state statute and reaffirmed by the Secretary of State in the official 2020 Campaign Finance Reporting Guide.”
Based on the Response, all the alleged expenditures to Beauty by Erin were for “campaign related photo shoots, campaign commercials, State of the State speeches and Democratic National Convention media and video appearances, some of which were nationally televised.” Response, pg. 2. The Response further stated that these expenses would not have existed but for the candidacy of the Governor. Id.
Based on the Response and analysis of the relevant statutory framework our office is unable to conclude that the expenditures to Beauty by Erin by NMFM are violations of the CRA or NMAC, for they are reasonably attributable to the candidate’s campaign and not an expense that would have existed but for the Governor’s candidacy. We would also additionally note that the example in our Guide in no way precludes a candidate from making an expenditure on hair, makeup and nails. The key analysis is whether the expenditure is reasonably attributable to the candidate’s campaign, not solely what the expense is.”
However, through mentioning that the use of these campaign funds went toward the governor preparing for her State of the State speeches (which are an official act mandated by New Mexico state statute, not a campaign event), it would appear that the office is even clearing politicians to use campaign funds for official acts, such as legislators getting their hair and makeup done during the Legislative Session.
Piñon Post editor John Block, who filed the complaint, released the following statement:
“Gov. Lujan Grisham’s ability to duck responsibility despite glaring evidence of shameless public corruption proves once again that New Mexico’s political system is rotted to its very core. Whether it be paying $62,500 in hush money to sexual accusers for crotch-grabbing incidents or delving out over $6,000 to her daughter for hair and makeup, institutions New Mexicans are supposed to rely on refuse to hold the governor accountable. It seems only the voters (who Lujan Grisham mocks as ‘lizard people’) can bring long-awaited justice at the ballot box in 2022.”
On Wednesday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s campaign brushed off a State Ethics Commission complaint made by Piñon Post editor John Block over her misuse of government funds for cosmetology visits by her daughter, Erin, who was paid $1,040.00 last October. Her campaign claimed the complaint was “frivolous and sexist.” The campaign cited an 11-year-old case of corrupt former Gov. Susana Martinez, who also allegedly used campaign cash for “styling.”
New Mexico Secretary of State reports show that Martinez spent $1,385.00 for “styling” on August 16, 2010. Neither was the expense made to Martinez’s relative, nor was it explicitly revealed through that relative that it was for styling and cosmetic purposes, a violation of state law.
Erin Grisham did, indeed, disclose the purpose of her involvement with the campaign. She wrote very clearly that the purose of her involvement with the campaign was as a “[s]tylist and cosmetology consultant for Michelle Lujan Grisham for Governor Media,” which according to state statute 1.10.13.25(B)(2) NMCA and the Secretary of State’s own guidance, violates state law.
“These routine political expenses were for the governor’s speech and 14 other events she addressed for the Democratic National Convention in August 2020,” Jared Leopold, Gov Lujan Grisham’s campaign spokesman. “This type of event preparation expense is a common and necessary political expenditure for politicians of both parties.”
But now more evidence has come out revealing that Gov. Lujan Grisham’s campaign not only paid Erin Grisham $1,040 in October 2020 for “media preparation.” According to the Secretary of State’s website, Lujan Grisham made four additional payments to her daughter for “media preparation” totaling up to $5,043.
The payments began on August 17, 2017, for $643.88, May 14, 2018 for $2,080.00, October 10, 2018 for $1,920.00 and on March 5, 2020 for $400. The amount of donors’ money expended from the campaign to Erin Grisham now totals $6,083.88 and counting.
Gov. Lujan Grisham was not speaking in front of the Democrat National Convention in 2017 or 2018. To any reasonable everyday New Mexican or even one who holds a public office, spending over $6,000 for cosmetology purposes in four years is out of the ordinary. This pattern of spending, regardless of who is doing it, is not appropriate for a so-called public servant.
On Thursday, the Piñon Post’s editor, John Block, filed a New Mexico Ethics Commission complaint against New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for misuse of campaign funds by paying her daughter Erin Grisham, a cosmetologist, $1,040 for “media preparation.”
Lujan Grisham’s daughter revealed on her LinkedIn profile that she acted as a “[s]tylist and cosmetology consultant for Michelle Lujan Grisham for Governor Media,” which according to state statute 1.10.13.25(B)(2) NMCA and the Secretary of State’s own guidance, violates state law.
An excerpt from the complaint:
According to an April 13, 2021 filing by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s gubernatorial campaign to the New Mexico Secretary of State (SOS), the governor paid her daughter, Erin, through an entity listed as “Beauty By Erin Grisham” $1,040 for “media preparation” on October 13, 2020 (Exhibit A).
Lujan Grisham’s campaign did not report that Erin Grisham’s services include hair and makeup, neither of which falls in the scope of what is permissible as a campaign expense. …
Per state statute, “Personal use of campaign funds is any use of funds in a campaign account to fulfill a commitment, obligation or expense of any candidate or legislator that would exist regardless of the candidate’s campaign or responsibilities as a legislator.” 1.10.13.25(B)(2) NMCA
SOS Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s 2020 Campaign Finance Reporting Guide further affirms that “Hair, nail, or make-up expenses” are not permissible campaign expenses (Exhibit C). …
Gov. Lujan Grisham’s daughter Erin has no apparent specialties in any field relating to media preparation, such as public relations or any other area that could be attributed to “media preparation,” such as speechwriting or digital media. On her LinkedIn profile, Erin Grisham explicitly states her relation to the Lujan Grisham campaign as the “[s]tylist and cosmetology consultant for Michelle Lujan Grisham for Governor Media.” This admission by Erin Grisham on her professional profile proves that the $1,040 for “media preparation” cannot in any reasonable terms be explained away as media preparation other than styling and cosmetology, which are explicitly barred as an expense, per state law (Exhibit B).
Block said, “Gov. Lujan Grisham’s flagrant abuse of state law is a slap in the face to the countless hard-working New Mexicans who play by the rules. While we are expected to follow her edicts, at every corner, she has broken state laws by misusing discretionary funds for wagyu steaks and booze, paying off her alleged sexual abuse victims with campaign cash, and now openly defying the Secretary of State by funneling her donors’ funds to her own daughter for salon visits.”
“New Mexicans are sick and tired of being played for fools while our politicians do whatever they want with no consequences. No public servant—no matter if they serve on a local school board or as the chief executive—should be above the law, which is why this ethics complaint is so important,” Block added.
On Thursday, the Ethics Commission confirmed its acceptance of the complaint, writing in an email that it “meets the requirements for administrative complaints set forth in 1.8.3.9(A)(2) NMAC and will be forwarded to the respondent(s).” The Ethics Commission noted that Lujan Grisham’s campaign has been notified of the complaint and that her use of funds is being investigated.
The Piñon Post has found additional payments adding up to $6,083.88 since 2017. A full report on the additional payments will come in due course.
The following letter was sent from oil and gas producer Roy Ables to the New Mexico Republican State Central Committee members ahead of Saturday’s vote on the GOP nominee for the First Congressional District to replace Democrat former Rep. Deb Haaland:
My name is Ray Ables. I own and operate a New Mexico oil and gas business called Pace Oil Field Services.
I’m writing to you today because one of the Republican candidates for the 1st District, Senator Mark Moores, voted for the New Mexico Green New Deal, also known as the “Energy Transition Act.”
I don’t believe our party should nominate a candidate who supports legislation like this that puts our New Mexico oil and gas industry at risk.
Let me explain the damage caused to our industry by this legislation that was pushed so hard by Michelle Lujan Grisham and the radical left. Oil and gas provides 40% of our state’s budget, thousands of jobs, and of course, affordable energy for our families. But the Energy Transition Act requires that New Mexico fully transition AWAY from oil and gas.
It’s no secret that New Mexico’s economy is one of the worst in the nation. And destroying oil and gas – the industry that keeps our state afloat – in the name of promoting “green energy,” is the worst possible policy decision. The fact that Senator Moores voted for Gov. Lujan Grisham’s New Mexico Green New Deal should be disqualifying in this race.
We need to send someone to DC who will fight for New Mexico jobs and stand up to the radical Democrats who will push Green New Deal legislation that will negatively impact New Mexico. If this vote is any indication, Mark Moores will be no different than Deb Haaland.
Thank you for your time, and for the sake of New Mexico’s oil and gas workers and the future of our state, I ask you to take this information into consideration ahead of your vote on Saturday.
Respectfully,
Ray Ables
Opinions expressed by Piñon Post contributors do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the publication or its editorial staff. Submit an op-ed to the Piñon Post at news@pinonpost.com.
State Rep. Phelps Anderson (DTS-Roswell) was elected on a pro-life ticket as a Republican by the voters of New Mexico’s 66th District—which includes Roswell, a “sanctuary city for the unborn.” However, Anderson betrayed his constituents’ trust by voting for the abortion up-to-birth and infanticide bill, H.B. 7.
After massive backlash from his home district and across the state, he left the Republican Party in disgrace to become an Independent. He then on February 10 voted against a pro-life bill to protect women going to abortion facilities during COVID-19. On February 19, Anderson voted for the final passage of S.B. 10, abortion up-to-birth, and infanticide legalization.
But the people of the great 66th District did not elect an Independent—They elected someone they thought was a Republican. They also thought they were electing a pro-life representative, but now they are left without any representation at all.
However, Rep. Anderson doesn’t care. He callously told reporters, “Resignation is not a choice for me because I believe when an unpopular vote is made, we cannot expect our legislators to resign.”
If Rep. Anderson refuses to resign and he continues to serve in the New Mexico House, the people of District 66 will be without representation for 23 months—equivalent to one year and 11 months.
Rep. Anderson’s betrayal should not be tolerated, which is why today, the Piñon Post is launching a petition demanding Rep. Anderson resign.
As I said before, Rep. Anderson “must now resign and allow local leaders to fill his seat with someone who truly represents the 66th District. The time for wishy-washy and unreliable ‘Republicans’ in the House is over.”
Please sign the petition and help us make a real difference!
PETITION: Demand the resignation of Rep. Phelps Anderson for betraying his constituents
On Wednesday, American patriots from across the United States gathered in Washington, D.C. for the gigantic “Stop The Steal” rally hosted by multiple groups, spearheaded by Women for America First. Hundreds of thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds gathered at the Ellipse in President’s Park all the way past the Washington Monument and beyond.
The protest resulted in multiple individuals interrupting Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s alleged fraudulent victory when some protesters stormed into the U.S. Congress, resulting in the evacuation of Vice President Pence, as well as all members of Congress. An unarmed woman, Ashli Babbitt, a 14-year Air Force veteran, was shot and died thereafter. Three others were killed, while there were 52 arrests in total.
Our editor, John Block, was at the Stop The Steal march. Here are some photographs he took at the event:
Democrats, including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the entirety of the U.S. Congressional delegation for New Mexico, including Rep. Herrell, decried the violence at the Capitol. “I am safe, but the violence at the Capitol is entirely unacceptable. I urge all those in Washington today to allow Congress to continue its business as the Constitution requires,” said Rep. Herrell in an initial statement.
In a later statement, Herrell wrote, “The violence at the U.S. Capitol today is reprehensible. I condemn anyone who would endanger our men and women in law enforcement like this in the strongest terms, and I am deeply grateful to the Capitol Police officers who kept me safe today.”
I am safe, but the violence at the Capitol is entirely unacceptable. I urge all those in Washington today to allow Congress to continue its business as the Constitution requires.
Gov. Lujan Grisham released stronger language, claiming those who breached the U.S. Capitol were “domestic terrorists.” She wrote, “I am sickened by what is occurring at the U.S. Capitol. It is nothing less than domestic terrorism, enacted in an effort to overturn a free and fair election.”
I am sickened by what is occurring at the U.S. Capitol. It is nothing less than domestic terrorism, enacted in an effort to overturn a free and fair election.
The president has stoked this anti-democracy sentiment. He is responsible. He has always been responsible. pic.twitter.com/GgJbK0ZEFf
Fraud has been proven in the U.S. election, and countless irregularities have been sighted across the board. Evidence of election fraud can be found here.
The U.S. House was only allowed to vote on two motions certifying electors for the states of Arizona and Pennsylvania. On these allowed votes, Rep. Herrell was the only member of the New Mexico delegation to vote against both measures.
Here is Herrell’s speech on the Pennsylvania electors:
When Vice President Pence asked for objections to the certifications of New Mexico’s electors, no objections were seen, including from Rep. Yvette Herrell.
In a subsequent statement on Facebook, Herrell wrote the following:
Late last night, I kept my promise to object to the certification of the Electoral College tallies from the two states for which votes were permitted: Arizona and Pennsylvania. No other objections for any other state, including New Mexico, had the required backing of at least one U.S. Senator that would have allowed a vote on the House floor.
The unconstitutional election changes in numerous states disenfranchised my constituents in New Mexico. I hope that by joining so many of my House colleagues in objecting we can shed light on the problems with the 2020 election and move towards solutions that restore integrity and confidence to our electoral system.
As President Trump said this morning, there will be an orderly transition to the new administration on January 20th. I will continue to work on behalf of the people of New Mexico’s Second District to support our shared values of limited government, free markets, and Constitutional rights.
There was a large demonstration at the New Mexico Capitol, with over 300 attendees rallying to stop the steal in Santa Fe. KRQE Newsreported that the state Capitol was evacuated amidst the pro-Trump protests, however, it was peaceful.
John Block, editor, and founder of the Piñon Post gives you an end-of-week rundown.
Earlier this week, The Republican Party of New Mexico filed a lawsuit seeking to impound ballots in Bernalillo County to uncover potential fraud. RPNM is financing the lawsuit, and former Republican congressional candidate Michelle Garcia Holmes has signed off on the petition. Former U.S. Senate candidate Mark Ronchetti has not said a word publicly about the lawsuit.
Also happening this week, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham suffered a crippling political blow, with former vice president Joe Biden snubbing her to serve in his fictitious presidential cabinet as Health and Human Services secretary after the Governor turned down the position of Secretary of the Interior. Far-left Democrat Attorney General Xavier Becerra was chosen instead for HHS, while socialist congresswoman Deb Haaland is still in contention for the Interior role.
Lujan Grisham announced in her press conference this week that her Administration will be working to ration care at health care facilities, including a moratorium on any procedure her administration deems “non-essential.” She has also enacted a “Crisis Care” strategy to shift around doctors and medical staff to treat COVID-19 with a certification program. Her administration, however, excluded physician assistants from the executive order.
During the press conference, Lujan Grisham announced her intentions to run for New Mexico Governor in 2022, saying she’s “Staying” in the state and that she will “keep her fingers crossed” she can lure New Mexicans to the polls to vote for her agenda.
In other news, Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce won decisive re-election over three rivals, easily beating the closest competitor 76-47. The Chairman and former congressman will serve a second two-year term.
The Piñon Post helped usher in a major victory this week for Albuquerque residents when we organized countless citizens to write Albuquerque City Councilors and demand they reject a proposal by Councilors Isaac Benton and Cynthia Borrego to throw people in jail and issue fines if they do not follow COVID-19 mandates. The councilors dropped the bill from consideration, handing a massive victory to our state’s largest city’s citizens.
In the past few weeks, New Mexicans have heard rumors on social media about Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham potentially being in Hawaii around the date of November 20th. The Governor’s office has been stonewalling the Piñon Post despite our multiple correspondences asking for information on the rumors. Through an IPRA request to the Governor’s Office, we have learned that according to Nora Sackett, the Governor’s press secretary, and Tripp Stelnicki, the Governor’s communications director, they claim she was not in Hawaii. Stelnicki, in an email to another staffer, wrote, “Sooo dumb. I’m at her [house] right now– can confirm, not in Hawaii!” It is unclear why he visited the Governor’s residence while Lujan Grisham’s public health orders bar any such visit.
Liberal bigwigs in New Mexico have been particularly nasty this week, including Nora Sackett, who mocked New Mexicans by sharing of someone questioning whether to take the COVID-19 vaccine. She wrote, “there is like a not insignificant chance these are New Mexicans I swear to god.” State Rep. Liz Thomson of Albuquerque chimed in, claiming New Mexicans need an “education.”
Another politico catching heat for comments this week is Democrat Speaker of the Hosue Brian Egolf of Santa Fe, who claimed states joining in Texas’ lawsuit at the Supreme Court to nullify votes cast in four states against state law, are “installing” President Trump as a “dictator.”
Lastly, an OSHA complaint has been filed by the pro-life group Abortion on Trial against Women’s Reproductive Clinic in Sunland Park for allegedly failing to alert the state about staff members catching COVID-19. One staff member died of the virus, while the abortionist was in intensive care with coronavirus. The Governor’s office has failed to provide a statement on any potential actions to close the clinic for health reasons.
You can find all those stories and so many others by visiting PinonPost.com. Thank you so much for reading our news, and if you would like to help keep independent New Mexico news online, please consider donating by clicking the donate button at the top of your screen. Thank you for tuning in, and have a great week!
John Block, editor of the Piñon Post, had a discussion with former Congressman and current Chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, Steve Pearce.
The exclusive interview touches on what Pearce has done during his tenure as chairman, how he has utilized his political connections to build up New Mexico, and the victories the Party saw in the last election. The Chairman also revealed what his vision is for his next term in the chairmanship if re-elected.
Republican Party chair elections are held on Monday, December 7, 2020, where the State Central Committee members will vote. Learn more about the New Mexico GOP by visiting their website, NewMexico.GOP.
On Friday, Piñon Post editor and owner John Block sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services to urge them not to consider Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s September 10, 2020 testimony requesting a government bailout.
During the Governor’s testimony, she requested funds due to the low oil prices and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite her unilaterally closing down the state and punishing small business owners and local governments who defied her orders.
Block’s letter focuses on the Governor’s inappropriate use of government funds without the state Legislature’s permission, and about the careless spending by the Administration on “whimsical” and “far-out” social programs that are eating away at hundreds of millions of dollars in the state’s once-full coffers.
“Lujan Grisham claims, ‘We all know, and I know that tightening our belts in the coming months, and years, is critical. And in some places like New Mexico, we already have.’ But her all-out assault on the oil and gas industry, which contributes 39% of our budget, by signing the radical anti-oil ‘Energy Transition Act,’ is already causing oil and gas producers to flee our natural resource-rich state — something that began far before oil prices dipped and COVID-19. Her wasteful spending on unnecessary and unwanted social programs is not ‘tightening our belt,’ especially when in a crisis. She refuses to pinch pennies to fulfill her expensive campaign promises instead and save face with the voters.” writes Block.
Block continues:
As a native New Mexican, I see the state I know and love hurting due to the fiscal irresponsibility of Gov. Lujan Grisham. While other states are back open, the Governor has repeatedly weaponized her office to play politics with this deadly pandemic, militarize her Attorney General as her attack dog to go after local leaders, and use her platform to belittle our citizens with personal attacks.
Once a great example of growth and prosperity, our state has been flushed away by years of failed leadership and heavy federal reliance, with not much to show for it. Our state is number 50th for child well-being, 49th for Crime and Corrections, 48th for Opportunity, 47th for Fiscal Stability, etc.
New Mexico is the third most federally dependent state. Despite the massive influx of government funds, the state’s leaders, led by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rep. Ben Ray Luján, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, Rep. Deb Haaland, Sen. Tom Udall, Sen. Martin Heinrich, and others have squandered the taxpayers’ hard-earned money.
And so I humbly request that you dismiss the New Mexico Governor’s September 10th testimony and do not further fund the supposed public servant who continues only to serve her special interests and political connections while ignoring the small businesses and working families of the Great State of New Mexico.
Block urges all other New Mexico citizens and small business owners to send correspondences to the Committee by email or by mail to the addresses below:
U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Democrats:
The Honorable Chairwoman Maxine Waters 2129 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s September 10, 2020 testimony can be found below:
"These dual economic crises have created a revenue gap that threatens to swallow essential services so many depend upon, everything from education to small business support, child welfare to health care services and more." – @GovMLG#InvestInRecoveryhttps://t.co/wk7tu5ik7Upic.twitter.com/gjNv4SDTid
