New Mexico Lt. Governor Attacked For Open-Minded Gambling Views

Governor Bill Richardson has made no secret of his ties to the gambling community. He has received large campaign contributions from groups with gambling interests, and now Republicans are trying to paint that same picture for Lt. Governor Diane Denish.

Denish is being attacked by a new ad that Republicans are running. The ad is attempting to tie Denish to the gambling contributions given to Richardson because they both were running on the same ticket. Denish has softened her stance on gambling expansion.

"I would be a little less inclined to say she was pay-to-play that Governor Richardson," said Guy Clark, the head of the New Mexico Coalition Against Gambling, "but she's not living up to her previous statements that would indicate a more enlightened response to predatory gambling."

Denish has voted to expand the hours of operation at racinos in the state. That vote has made the Lt. Governor enemies in the Republican Party and also from anti-gambling groups such as the Coalition.

"The Lt. governor cast her tie-breaking vote in order to support the horse racing business that is so important to her home town of Hobbs and to job creation statewide," said Denish's Chief of Staff, Joshua Rosen, in a statement, "Lt. Governor Denish understands that her top priority is always to create jobs, and the gaming industry has proven to be an important part of our state's economy."

July 14, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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