We Need More Dems Like This

In the current environment of scandal in New Mexico, we can forget that the majority of Democratic Party candidates and officeholders here and around the nation are honest, hard-working advocates for ordinary citizens, justice and fairness. To me, it's critically important that Democrats who do run their affairs according to the highest ethical standards be vocal and passionate in demanding accountability in all echelons of the Party. Here's an item on one of them who is doing just that:

PRC Commissioner Jason Marks Returns Robert Vigil Campaign Contribution; Calls for Impeachment to be Heard During Special Session

Public Regulation Commissioner Jason Marks (D-Alb.) announced on 9/23/05 that he is returning a $50 campaign contribution he received towards his 2004 election effort from the Robert Vigil for Treasurer Committee. Marks stated that the media reports about Mr. Vigil’s indictment caused him to remember a $50 contribution he had received in October 2004, and to look into the finance reports filed around that time by Vigil’s campaign committee. Per Marks:

Regardless of whether Vigil is guilty of the specific criminal charges that have been made against him, his own filed reports show that his campaign committee collected tens of thousands of dollars from investment advisors, brokers, bankers, and others with a direct interest in obtaining (or retaining) business with the State Treasuer's Office. It is clear to me that it was only the largesse of these individuals that made it possible for Vigil’s fund to dole out support to my PRC campaign and to many other campaigns last year. In my own race, I did not accept contributions from persons who I knew to have a direct  interest in the business of the Public Regulation Commission. I cannot in good conscience keep money that came from the Vigil campaign fund, when it now seems that it was originally generated with an improper motive. 

Because Marks closed his campaign account earlier this year, he refunded the Vigil contribution with a personal check.

Impeachment
Marks further wishes to state that, while Vigil is entitled to a presumption of innocence in the criminal sense pending a trial, the damning facts that have been reported in the media indicate  that Vigil is not fit to continue serving as Treasurer, even in a “recused” capacity. If Vigil will not resign, Marks believes that the special session of the Legislature should conduct an Impeachment Trial to hear the charges (and Vigil’s defenses) and determine whether or not there are grounds for Vigil’s removal pursuant to the State Constitution.  Marks commends the Governor and Attorney General for negotiating an arrangement that keeps Vigil away from the Treasurer’s Office immediately, but believes this should only be an interim measure until the Legislature convenes.