Scandals - A Factor?

Gary King

From the Santa Fe New Mexican - When Jim Bibb and Gary King ran for attorney general four years ago, one of the campaign's main themes was corruption. This year, in the race between King, the Democratic incumbent, and Clovis Republican Matt Chandler, the main theme is ... corruption. Chandler says King has done little to stem a tide of wrongdoing in the state during his term. King says he's done more than perhaps any other attorney general. In 2006, the race to become New Mexico's top law enforcer took place against the backdrop of the misdeeds of former state treasurer Michael Montoya.

Matt Chandler

This year's race, which will be decided in the Nov. 2 general election, comes amid other scandals, including controversies involving state investments, in which questions were raised about fees paid and loans provided by figures with political connections, and at the Secretary of State's Office, where former employees have alleged wrongdoing. Observers say the corruption issue dominates partly because that topic is a big component of this year's gubernatorial race. "When you get to those downballot races, if there's not a lot of information, you vote your party," University of New Mexico political science professor Lonna Atkeson said. "The Republicans are trying to resonate with a single message, and they are hoping for spillover from the top of the ticket." Read more here:

Scandals - A Factor?