Steve Pearce

NM GOP leaders rip into NMOGA chief for weaponizing organization as Dem political machine

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On Sunday, the Albuquerque Journal published an op-ed from New Mexico Party Chairman Steve Pearce, New Mexico House Republican Leader Rep. Jim Townsend, and New Mexico Senate Republican Leader Sen. Stuart Ingle nailing the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA) for putting out unrealistic expectations for the industry and for sticking their hand into political fights — where they do not belong, other than through their political action committee.

The Republican leaders chide NMOGA’s executive director Ryan Flynn, the former Secretary of Environment for the State of New Mexico under Gov. Susana Martinez, for “painting a very rosy picture about the projected recovery of the oil and gas industry in our state.” They claim Flynn has given a “false portrayal of the industry plays right into the hands of Democrats who want to keep spending as if nothing catastrophic has happened.” 

Also, Flynn is criticized for sticking NMOGA into the 2nd Congressional District fight by praising Democrat Rep. Xochitl Torres Small on the same day that former Democrat Congressman Harry Teague endorsed Torres Small’s challenger, Republican former state Rep. Yvette Herrell for the seat. 

Through an official statement from NMOGA, Flynn said of Torres Small that she “has stood up to those in her party who want to completely ban fracking.” But that is untrue, as Torres Small has “did the exact opposite, when just this past February, she joined with the radicals in Congress like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and voted for a fracking ban. Not only does Flynn’s statement embarrass NMOGA, its timing uncovers Flynn’s premeditated poor decision to use the association as a political weapon. Getting NMOGA involved in this race is not only unethical, but also potentially illegal and risks permanent damage to the association’s reputation,” write the GOP leaders. 

Pearce, Townsend, and Ingle quote former NMOGA Chairwoman Claire Chase, who previously ran for the 2nd Congressional District in their criticism, writing that Chase “sent a campaign fundraising email titled ‘Xochitl Sold Us Out,’ which admonished her for voting ‘to give future presidents the power to ban fracking unilaterally and bankrupt our state.’ Incidentally, Chase has since endorsed Herrell and donated to her campaign.” 

New Mexico Oil and Gas Associaton has also gotten ire from Republicans for their massive donations to the Democrat Party and Democrat Party officials, who consistently vote against the oil and gas industry, such as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s radical “Energy Transition Act,” (ETA) which is dubbed as “New Mexico’s Green New Deal” and supported by Xochitl Torres Small. NMOGA also took a neutral stance on the rabidly anti-oil and gas ETA, which will completely wipe out the energy industry by the year 2050.

The NMOGA PAC has given tens of thousands of dollars to anti-oil and gas Democrats just this election cycle, such as a $25,000 donation to Democrat House Speaker Brian Egolf’s PAC, which will help elect far-left members of the Legislature through its efforts. 

NMOGA also gave Democrat then-Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham $5,500 for her 2018 gubernatorial bid.

The letter concludes as follows:

So, what is Flynn’s motive? We aren’t exactly sure, but this pattern of lies has effectively destroyed any trust we had in him to be a fair advocate for NMOGA. While we cannot dictate to NMOGA who should be running its organization, we would suggest the association consider putting a person in its leadership who does not spread misinformation and puts personal political preferences ahead of the interests of the oil and gas industry and the workers it supports.

NMOGA can repair its reputation as a reliable arbiter of factual information, but the choice is up to its board.

The Association has not released a public statement on the letter, however, it is a clear wake-up call that elected leaders who have been championing the energy industry, as well as candidates like Yvette Herrell, deserve the support to continue promoting oil and gas in New Mexico, not far-left anti-oil politicians such as Brian Egolf and Xochitl Torres Small.

NM GOP leaders rip into NMOGA chief for weaponizing organization as Dem political machine Read More »

Egolf says decision for no in-person comment during special session was ‘unanimous’—it wasn’t

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On Wednesday, while responding to a citizen’s questions about the upcoming special session called by Gov. Lujan Grisham, Speaker of the House Brian Egolf was asked about the decision to not have in-person comment, which Egolf claimed in a Zoom call was to slow the spread of COVID-19.

New Mexico resident Todd Hathorn wrote to Egolf, “Closed means no public interaction.  Actions taken by the Speaker belie the words.  This move to close the session requires a suspension of disbelief.”

Egolf responded to Hathorn, writing back, “That is not true.  We explained in yesterday how the public will participate live by video and give comment directly to committees, by video or in writing.  The public does not offer comment on floor debates…never has.  This was a unanimous and bi-partisan decision.” 

But the Speaker’s comment appears to be false, as at least one Republican representative says they never were asked for their input on the matter, and that they disagree with the closed meetings. 

Rep. Greg Nibert (R-Roswell), wrote in an email to the Piñon Post, “The question was never presented to me.  If asked, I would respond that the Capitol is the people’s house and if people want to attend and take the risk, they should be allowed to do so.”

Other members have confirmed they were never asked their opinion including Rep. Martin Zamora (R-Clovis), Rep. Jane Powdrell-Culbert (R-Corrales), and Sen. Pat Woods (R-Broadview).

According to House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (R-Artesia), the motion to keep the Capitol closed was made during a WebEx virtual meeting, where there was no way for members to comment. He also noted that Republican Whip Rod Montoya also could not comment during the meeting and he texted the Speaker directly, which let him speak on the matter.

New Mexico Senate Republican Whip Stuart Ingle’s staff confirmed that he was not present for that conversation or vote, so no, it was not “unanimous.”

Speaker Egolf’s claim that the decision was both bipartisan and unanimous is false, since not every member of the House was asked their opinion. Piñon Post has reached out to every Republican member of the New Mexico House and the Senate, with none responding in support of closed meetings as of 11:57 P.M. on Thursday.

The closed-door special session will take place on June 18th, with no public allowed in the Capitol. Also, legislators will be paid per-diem before and during the special session if they choose to work from home.

The Republican Party of New Mexico called this decision “an insult and another hard slap in the face to all hard-working New Mexicans,” Chairman and former Congressman Steve Pearce saying, “The funds are tapped out, but they’ll still find a way to squeeze more for themselves and squeeze the public.”

Egolf says decision for no in-person comment during special session was ‘unanimous’—it wasn’t Read More »

NM GOP Chairman Pearce to MLG: ‘You’re driving a stake into the heart’ of our state

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On Wednesday morning, Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman and former Congressman Steve Pearce joined Steve Ducey on Fox News to speak about Democrat New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s response to the coronavirus, which is hitting small business owners and working families hard.

During the interview, Ducey asked Pearce to explain Lujan Grisham’s logic behind the closure of small mom and pop businesses while corporate big box stores such as Walmart are allowed to stay open. Pearce responded, “I can’t explain her logic. It’s totally unfair, it’s discriminatory.”

Pearce then laid out the situation in the state, saying, “New Mexico is big and rural. We have a couple of population centers, but everything else is sparsely populated. Mom and pops drive the state, and so the initial order weeks ago, the Governor said the big box stores can open, no restrictions on them. The small mom and pops had to shut down. Many of them are just going to be forced into bankruptcy and will not be open.”

“In the meantime, counties [that] do not even have one case — the residents of those places — no big box stores are there. They’re having to drive into Albuquerque or Santa Fe or Las Cruces in order to hit a big box store. That puts them closer to people who might have the virus, and it just has never made any sense. But mostly it’s just the patented unfairness that drives our money into the big box stores. They ship it out of New Mexico at the close of the business day. They don’t use local banks, so we’re robbing the state for capital into the future.” 

“We’ve been saying, ‘wait, it’s got to be an even playing field. There has to be competition from both sides. There have to be choices. Local businesses, mom, and pop should have the same rights as the out-of-state giant corporations.’”

When asked about a Grants pawnshop facing a $60,000 fine from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Pearce said, “Your average business may make ten percent. That means you have to have $600,000 worth of products in order to get to $60,000. They’re just going to be thrust into bankruptcy. The veteran is disabled. His wife is going to have to close the business, and the Governor is coming in and making an example of them. Five or six uniformed state police officers circled around the building, slapped the notice on the building. 

Pearce continued, “The fine is just devastating to that small community because it’s made up totally of small businesses. Even the local sheriffs and police officers are having to drive into Albuquerque to get ammunition that [the local pawn shop] sold there.”

Steve Ducey wrapped up the segment asking what message Chairman Pearce had for Gov. Lujan Grisham. Pearce answered, “The small business owners throughout New Mexico — they’re the heart and soul of our state, and I would just say to the Governor, “you’re driving a stake into the heart and the spirit and the soul of our state. The small communities depend on local business owner…. They’re the ones who support the basketball team and the football team. They’re the ones who are there for the Rotary Clubs and the Kiwanis Clubs. Give them a fair chance.”

On Wednesday, Pearce sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr requesting his help in stopping Gov. Lujan Grisham’s unconstitutional orders barring citizens from work and crippling New Mexico’s state economy.

NM GOP Chairman Pearce to MLG: ‘You’re driving a stake into the heart’ of our state Read More »

‘Mom and pop’ shops selling necessary goods served with cease and desist orders by Gov. MLG

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On Monday, farming and ranching store Bar G Western Wear in Portales announced via Facebook that they had been served with a cease and desist order by State Police for keeping their doors open. The store sells essential items needed by farmers and ranchers to keep their businesses running.

Bar G Western Wear’s post reads, “Soooo folks… we’ve just been served with a CEASE and DESIST order! Apparently there were several complaints against us. (Snitches/Busybodies…..who would have thought). The NM State Police were very professional and nice. We will pursue this further. Thanks for the overwhelming support!”

State Rep. Gregg Schmedes (R-Tijeras) responded to the news with outrage, writing, “Apparently Governor Grisham doesn’t believe farmers & ranchers are essential. Where are they supposed to go to get supplies and work clothes? MLG, you’re wrong. These are the good guys, and they are ESSENTIAL. #TooFar”

The Republican Party of New Mexico has pushed back on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s orders that allow large corporations like Walmart to keep their doors open during COVID-19, while small “mom and pop” shops are hurting, many being sent cease and desist orders if they remain open to provide essential goods and services to their communities.

“Somewhere the Main Street owners of mom and pop stores in New Mexico need to be spoken for,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. 

Lujan Grisham’s office shrugged off the concerns by writing, “Any half-thought-out proposal about picking winners and losers and allowing partial closures … will lead to more illnesses and more death.”

‘Mom and pop’ shops selling necessary goods served with cease and desist orders by Gov. MLG Read More »

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