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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Cruces PAC Letter Spurs Review
By Rene Romo
Journal Southern Bureau
LAS CRUCES — A fundraising letter from a political action committee targeting City Council races has prompted a local activist to ask the city clerk to look into "possible" election code violations by the group.
In response to questions raised by local progressives, David Roewe, treasurer of Jobs for Las Cruces PAC and executive director of the Building Industry Association of Southern New Mexico, has told the Las Cruces Sun-News that the political action committee has not made contributions to candidates for City Council in the Nov. 3 election.
In an Oct. 25 story in the Sun-News, Roewe was quoted as saying: "Frankly, the money we're raising is for other races, such as legislative races, gubernatorial elections and others like that next year."
The article spurred Las Cruces resident Greg Lennes on Monday to ask City Clerk Esther Martinez to look into the matter. Lennes noted that a Sept. 14 fundraising letter sent by the PAC referred to more than $20,000 raised at an August luncheon "for the upcoming election."
The letter, signed by local developer John Moscato, president of Jobs for Las Cruces PAC, goes on to mention the City Council incumbents seeking re-election and their challengers, who are described as "not business friendly."
"This will be a costly election, but much more costly if we don't get involved now and take a stand to elect pro business candidates into the city council," the PAC's letter says. Neither Roewe nor Moscato could be reached for comment.
In an Oct. 8 finance report filed with the Secretary of State's Office, the Jobs for Las Cruces PAC listed cash contributions of $29,900, more than two-thirds supplied by builders, developers, bankers or people involved in property management.
Lennes said he has no evidence that the PAC has contributed to the campaigns of candidates endorsed by the Building Industry Association, but he said the PAC's fundraising letter shows it "intends clearly to spend the $29,900 for the local election."
Lennes said he does not object to the PAC getting involved in local elections, but that it must report its involvement. City Clerk Martinez is looking into the issue, but it is not clear when the review will be completed.
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