New Mexico News
| Groups: Senator's Flier Misleads |
| Posted by () on May 21 2008 at 7:25 PM |
Two state environmental groups are asking Sen. Shannon Robinson, D-Albuquerque, to stop circulating a flier using the organizations' logos.
The groups say they're concerned that the flier gives the appearance that they are endorsing Robinson, which is not the case.
Robinson said last week that the flier was factual and included nothing about endorsements. He said he has faith that his constituents won't take it the wrong way.
"I believe very strongly that the voters of District 17 are not going to be fooled in this election. They are very smart voters," he said.
Environment New Mexico sent out a letter Thursday asking Robinson to stop distributing the flier and to remove certain references to the organization on his Web site.
Robinson said Friday that he had removed Environment New Mexico references from his Web site, www.reelectshannonrobinson.com, but that he had no way to recall the fliers.
Sandy Buffett, Conservation Voters New Mexico executive director, said the flier gives the wrong impression.
"It's outrageous he would try to confuse voters with the unauthorized use of our logo and brand," Buffett said.
The flier highlights Robinson's 2008 "legislative scorecard" grades from both groups, includes a generic letter sent to all legislators from Environment New Mexico director Lauren Ketcham and uses the groups' logos.
Robinson's campaign Web site included quotes from the form letter, as well as a statement claiming that he has the support of Ketcham's organization.
Environment New Mexico does not endorse or support candidates. Doing so would endanger its tax-exempt status, Ketcham said.
Conservation Voters New Mexico does endorse candidates, but is only allowed by law to tell its own members of the endorsement, Buffett said.
The mailer states that Robinson was in the top four senators scored by Environment New Mexico in voting and in the top 10 for Conservation New Mexico.
Ketcham said that they don't usually rank senators by score, but that Robinson tied for fifth with his 2008 grade.
Buffett said he received a 75 percent in 2008 from her organization, the 10th-best score for the Senate. Over a four-year period, however, he scored a 49 percent, she said.
Robinson said he was using the scores the groups had already made public.
"They sent this stuff to me," he said.
The flier highlights two quotes in large print from the generic letter thanking legislators for any support.
Ketcham said that using the letter was misleading.
"The quotations were not written specifically about Senator Robinson or any other senator or representative," she said.
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