Merilee Dannemann: Advertising hits legislature

The campaign for the Legislature reached a point this season I hoped I would never see.

Four years ago I saw a billboard on I-25 in Albuquerque, advertising for a candidate for the state Senate. I thought this was way over the top. 

Billboard advertising for legislative seats might make sense in more rural, geographically larger districts, where it will reach primarily district residents and where the cost is appropriately lower. But not on the freeway in Albuquerque. It’s a waste of money, unless the candidate has a brother-in-law in the billboard business or has raised enough money to waste a lot of it.     

This year we reached a new level of conspicuous waste. Most of it was attributable to the people who run political operations for Gov. Susana Martinez. Legislative advertising has come to television – and it’s down and dirty.

Reform New Mexico Now, a super PAC associated with the governor’s political consultants, has made several TV commercials related to legislative races. One of these urged voters to turn two powerful incumbent state senators out of office: President Pro-Tem Tim Jennings, of Roswell, and Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, of Belen. Gov. Martinez appeared in the commercial. 

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Los Alamos Monitor, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Los Alamos Monitor and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

The Los Alamos Monitor | lacirculation@lamonitor.com | 505-662-4185
256 DP Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday