89.9 FM Live From The University Of New Mexico
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Outside Political Groups Spent Nearly $4M in NM

The latest campaign finance reports show that two outside political groups spent nearly $4 million to influence legislative races, which ended up with Democrats retaining control of the House and Senate.

A political committee with ties to Republican Gov. Susana Martinez reported on Thursday spending $2.4 million. It was involved in 31 House and Senate races, including several Democratic primary contests.

A Democratic-leaning political group called Patriot Majority New Mexico dumped almost $1.4 million into general election contests. The group was formed in August and backed about 20 House and Senate candidates.

The two political groups were the biggest spenders in legislative contests and were free from New Mexico's limits on campaign contributions because they operated independently from the candidates they supported or opposed with ads and mailings.