Chevron's Influence in New Mexico Politics Exposed

Chevron Corporation, the oil and gas giant, has emerged as the single largest contributor to a dark money group that attempted to thwart the growing influence of progressive lawmakers in New Mexico's Legislature during the recent primary election. The New Mexico Project, a newly formed organization, received a staggering $50,000 donation from Chevron, dwarfing all other contributions to the group.

Uncovering the Shadowy Influence of Corporate Interests in New Mexico's Political Landscape

Chevron's Dominance in New Mexico's Political Landscape

Chevron's contribution to The New Mexico Project is not an isolated incident. The oil and gas company has long been a major player in New Mexico's elections, flexing its financial muscle to influence the political landscape. In 2018, the company donated a staggering $2.5 million to a political action committee, and in 2020, it made substantial contributions to a political committee running a primary campaign, as well as spreading more than $700,000 to elected officials. The latest campaign finance reports from 2023 reveal that a Chevron USA lobbyist contributed $479,000 on behalf of the company to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's re-election campaign, as well as several legislative political action committees and individual state lawmakers.

The New Mexico Project's Failed Attempt to Thwart Progressive Influence

The New Mexico Project, a newly formed organization, was created with the express purpose of defending moderate and conservative Democratic legislators against progressive challengers. The group's president, Jeff Apodaca, had set an ambitious goal of raising $1 million to support its preferred primary candidates. However, the group's campaign finance filings tell a different story. Despite Chevron's sizable contribution, the group only managed to raise $143,000 in contributions from April 4 through May 28, just days before the June 4 primary election. This fell far short of their lofty fundraising target.

The Intra-Party Struggle within the New Mexico Democratic Party

The New Mexico Project's efforts to counter the growing influence of progressive lawmakers in the state's Legislature is part of an ongoing intra-family squabble within the New Mexico Democratic Party. The group's formation and the influx of corporate money, such as Chevron's contribution, highlight the tensions between moderate and progressive factions within the party. Despite the group's spending, the primary election results showed that progressives have strengthened their hold on the legislature, underscoring the shifting political dynamics in the state.

The Transparency Concerns Surrounding The New Mexico Project

The New Mexico Project's campaign finance filings have raised concerns about transparency and the influence of dark money in New Mexico's political process. The group initially fought to keep the source of its funding and the details of its spending hidden from the public, until the state's ethics commission sued for the information. The eventual disclosure of Chevron's $50,000 contribution, as well as the contributions from other individuals and organizations, sheds light on the complex web of financial interests that are shaping the state's political landscape.

The Broader Implications of Corporate Influence in New Mexico Politics

Chevron's outsized influence in New Mexico's elections, as evidenced by its contribution to The New Mexico Project, raises broader questions about the role of corporate interests in shaping the state's political landscape. The influx of corporate money into local and state-level elections has the potential to skew the democratic process, favoring the interests of wealthy donors over the concerns of everyday citizens. As New Mexicans grapple with the implications of this revelation, it underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the state's political system.