New DGA Ad: Former Top Border Security Official, a Republican, Calls Out Martinez for Wasting Border Funds on Big Bonuses

The Democratic Governors Association launched a new statewide television ad in New Mexico today featuring a former top border security official and conservative Republican expressing his outrage at GOP nominee Susana Martinez for wasting border funds on no-bid deals and large bonuses for friends and allies in her office.

Officer James Jennings' bottom line: "I’m a conservative Republican. But I won’t vote for Susana Martinez. I don’t trust her."

“With each passing week, it’s becoming more difficult for New Mexicans to trust Susana Martinez or believe a word that comes out of her mouth,” said Emily Bittner, spokeswoman for the DGA, in a written statement. “Susana Martinez put her friends ahead of securing the border. She took border funds and thought it was fine to steer those funds to her cronies and favored employees in the form of no-bid deals and Wall Street style bonuses. How can New Mexicans trust her? Just when you thought Susana Martinez couldn’t be more out of touch with New Mexico families, we learn that she spent border security money on big bonuses for her friends.”

The DGA’s 30-second TV spot, “Border Republican,” features Officer James Jennings, who worked directly with Martinez and served as the director of the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) from 1997 to 2003. Jennings, a self-described conservative Republican, expresses his anger at Martinez for spending hundreds of thousands of federal border funds on no-bid deals and big bonuses for political cronies in her office.

The ad, which you can see in the video above or in text form below, is running statewide at saturation levels. It is the second DGA ad exposing Martinez’s bonus scandal.

Two weeks ago, the DGA released “Scandal,” its first ad highlighting scandals involving Martinez’s use of border funds for big bonuses for her cronies and sweetheart no-bid contracts for her staff. Click to watch “Scandal.”

Make sure all your friends, colleagues, neighbors and family members know about this ad, and how Martinez is in hot water over her ethics -- even with conservative Republicans. Then point them to Diane Denish's website and encourage them to support the real ethics champion in this race.

“Border Republican” – 30-Second TV

Republican Politician Susana Martinez was caught.

I’m a 25-year veteran of the New Mexico State Police.

I helped direct the anti-drug effort at the border.

I worked closely with Susana Martinez.

She took border protection money, steered it to friends in her office.

Special bonuses for her favored employees.

Susana Martinez put her political cronies above those who protect our borders.

I’m a conservative Republican. But I won’t vote for Susana Martinez. I don’t trust her.

Additional background information on Officer James Jennings:

New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Director, 1997 to 2003

New Mexico State Police, October 1972 to April 1996

• New Mexico State Police, Deputy Chief, 1995 to 1996
• New Mexico State Police, Major, 1993 to 1995