Lyons Named to 2018 “Dirty Dozen in the States”
SANTA FE, N.M. – CVNM Verde Voters Fund today launched a $300,000 ad buy, exposing New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands candidate Pat Lyons’ record of siding with campaign contributors, specifically those in the oil and gas industry, over ensuring New Mexicans maintain access to public lands. The ad, “Shell Game” will run statewide on broadcast, cable and satellite television starting today.
Lyons’ bid to return to the State Land Office has been helped by a Super PAC, New Mexico Strong, which has spent more than $500,000 on ads praising Lyons or attacking his opponent Representative Stephanie Garcia Richard. The PAC is funded mostly by oil companies, including at least $2 million from Chevron since July.
In addition, Verde Voters Fund announced Lyons’ selection for the “Dirty Dozen in the States” list. Modeled after LCV Victory Fund’s federal “Dirty Dozen,” the state version highlights 12 of the most anti-environment state-level candidates from around the country who state LCVs are working to defeat for the 2018 election cycle.
WATCH: “Shell Game”
CVNM Verde Voters Fund is the independent expenditure political action committee connected to Conservation Voters New Mexico and is a vocal leader on environmental issues during election cycles.
“If Pat Lyons is elected Commissioner of Public Lands again, he will continue to give sweetheart deals to polluters at the expense of our cultural lands and public access,” says Demis Foster, CVNM Executive Director. “As the largest land manager in the west, New Mexico’s next Commissioner of Public Lands must reflect New Mexicans’ conservation values, rather than special interests.”
A script of the ad can be found below. Research backup for the television ad is available here.
TRANSCRIPT:
“Shell Game”
Career politician Pat Lyons played a shell game with our public lands.
Lyons tried to cut off New Mexican families’ access to our precious outdoor spaces.
He took our rich cultural resources and exchanged them for parcels on the side of a highway.
Developers love him, but you won’t.
He gave them our land, flew on their plane, pushed through their deals, and took big campaign money.
Say NO to Pat Lyons. Don’t let him sell us out again.
Paid for by CVNM Verde Voters Fund.
###
Paid for CVNM Verde Voters Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Media Contact: Liliana Castillo at 505-819-7508 and Liliana@CVNM.org
