Hispanic News Endorses Patricia Madrid for U.S. Congress in New Mexico's 1st District

Patricia Madrid won her first campaign in 1978 when she became the first woman elected to sit as a district court judge in New Mexico. In 1998, she became the first woman elected Attorney General of the State of New Mexico, and in 2002 she was reelected in a landslide. She has been married to L. Michael Messina, an Albuquerque lawyer, for over thirty years, and has a son, Giancarlo, who graduated from the University of New Mexico and works in Washington DC.

In October 2005, Patricia Madrid announced her candidacy for the House of Representatives (NM District One). As a member of Congress, Patricia Madrid will stand up for the interests of working men and women and will promote stronger and safer communities and a more prosperous and fair state and nation for everyone. That means reclaiming the simple promise of the American dream - that our communities will grow ever stronger and that our children will enjoy opportunities we can only imagine. Madrid firmly believes that with the right change, America's best days are still ahead of us.

Pelosi, Madrid Stand with Working
New Mexicans Against Bush-Wilson Energy Policies

Area Gas Prices Top $3 Per Gallon; Wilson Voted for Bush Energy Bills

Attorney General Patricia Madrid on August 17, 2006 was joined by the Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, as she stood with working New Mexicans and called on George Bush and Heather Wilson to stop giving handouts to big oil while New Mexicans are paying more than $3 a gallon at the pump.

“While Heather Wilson and the Bush Congress are giving billions of dollars in tax breaks to oil companies, New Mexicans are paying the price,” Madrid said. “Instead of standing with big oil, Heather Wilson needs to stand with New Mexicans and help make America energy independent.”

Pelosi, who is the highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. Representatives, stood with Madrid at a rally of nearly 300 working New Mexicans at the Albuquerque IBEW Union Hall.

“Patricia Madrid is a New Direction Democrat committed to change for New Mexico families,” Pelosi said. “While oil and gas companies make record profits, New Mexico families are struggling. America needs a new direction for energy independence. Democrats have a plan to achieve it and we will do it with leaders like Patricia Madrid.”

The energy rally came a little over a week after the anniversary of the George Bush’s signing in to law at Sandia Laboratories the most recent energy bill that he and Wilson supported. That bill alone gave $2.6 billion in handouts to big oil and gas companies even as those same companies rake in record profits.

“Since George Bush’s first energy bill passed,” Madrid said, “Royal-Shell Oil Company’s net income has jumped from $10.8 billion in 2002 to a staggering $25.31 billion in 2005. Meanwhile, working New Mexicans are paying more than $3 a gallon at the pump.”

Madrid further expressed concern that Heather Wilson has received extensive campaign contributions from big oil.

“Like the rest of the Bush Congress, Heather Wilson is beholden to big oil companies.” Madrid said. “Since 1998, Wilson has taken nearly $400,000 in campaign contributions from the energy industry.”

Madrid said that when she is elected to Congress, she will vote against any energy bill that gives breaks to big oil companies. She also said she would fight to ensure full funding for the development of renewable energy sources – such as wind, solar and biomass.

“New Mexicans have had enough of high gas prices, foreign-oil dependence and having a representative in Congress who stands with big oil companies,” Madrid said. “I will be an independent voice for New Mexicans. And I will continue to stand up to big oil.”