Albuquerque – Democrats have made an alleged “culture of corruption” in Washington a major theme of their campaign nationally.
But in a turnabout, it is Republicans who are trying to make ethics an issue in New Mexico, seizing on the corruption trial of a former state treasurer, the FBI investigation of an ex-insurance superintendent and other criminal allegations swirling about a powerful former lawmaker.
The probes are having an effect on the U.S. House candidacy of current Attorney General Patricia Madrid who is seeking to oust six-term Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson.
“All of the current scandals that are just busting out all over New Mexico have happened under her watch,” said Marta Kramer, executive director of the state GOP.
The idea that Madrid was unaware of malfeasance is “absurd,” Kramer said, an argument echoed in a recent Wilson TV spot.
Democrats must capture 15 seats to turn the GOP out on Nov. 7; a prime target is the district centered in Albuquerque, where Democrats outnumber Republicans and more than 1 in 3 voters are Latino, like Madrid.
Despite their long-standing numerical advantage, Democrats have never held the seat, which was created nearly 40 years ago.
“We are finally going to make that right,” Madrid told a dozen supporters crowded recently into a campaign volunteer’s home.
For all the Democratic enthusiasm, however, Madrid faces an uphill fight against the oft-tested and personally popular Wilson.
To win, the Democrat acknowledges, Madrid must turn the contest into a referendum on President Bush, the war in Iraq and high gas prices.
“Most every race I’ve ever run was a lot about me – what I’ve done, what I would do, how I compare,” Madrid said during an interview. “But this race is a little bit different.”
Republicans disagree. They say the election is about local issues and the records of the two candidates, even as Wilson has been working hard to forge an image of independence from Bush.
The tension between local and national issues reflects the dynamic surrounding the midterm elections, when control of the House and Senate are at stake.
Madrid defends her performance as the state’s top law officer and attacks Wilson for taking campaign money from lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former GOP Reps. Tom DeLay of Texas and Randy “Duke” Cunningham of California – all at the center of Washington scandals.
But Republicans hope the spate of local scandals not only tarnishes Madrid’s crime-fighting credentials but also thwarts any attempt to use the Washington corruption theme against Wilson.
Democrats who recruited Madrid are unfazed.
“She’s the best possible candidate for that seat, absolutely,” said Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
