Albuquerque Journal, N.M., Upfront column

June 27--Aprovider of workers' compensation insurance for the construction industry has emerged as a deep-pocket player in New Mexico politics, and its money is going largely to Republicans.

Builders Trust of New Mexico, an affiliate of the Albuquerque-based New Mexico Home Builders Association, has contributed $4,800 each to GOP candidates in eight key state House races.

The Journal first reported last month that Builders Trust was a major donor to state legislators and legislative candidates.

The trust has also donated to political action committees providing financial and other support to GOP candidates in key House races and to the re-election campaigns of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and GOP Secretary of State Dianna Duran.

All told, Builders Trust has made more than $128,000 in political donations in this election cycle, with the overwhelming majority going to Republican candidates and PACs, according to candidate and PAC finance reports filed with the Secretary of State's Office.

Oil and gas interests and committees of House Republican leaders are also large donors to key GOP House candidates.

Republicans are trying to take control of the House for the first time in more than 60 years. All 70 seats in the House are up for election this year, but control of the House will be decided by the outcomes of eight or so races. Democrats have a 37-33 edge heading into the November general election.

As reported in The Sunday Journal, a web of liberal PACs contributed more than $191,000 to Democrats in eight key House races in April and May. Use of the web allowed the PACs to get around the state's campaign contribution limits.

Under those limits, a PAC can donate no more than $5,200 to a candidate for the Legislature per primary or general election. An individual or business, like Builders Trust, can contribute up to $2,400 per election.

PACs on the left have donated far more to Democrats in eight key House races than PACs on the right have given to Republicans in those races, according to PAC and candidate finance reports.

Unlike some of their Democratic counterparts, none of the Republican PACs appears to operate largely as a vehicle to funnel cash from another PAC to a candidate.

According to its finance reports, Builders Trust has donated the maximum for this year, or $4,800, to each of these Republicans in key House races: incumbents Sharon Clahchischilliage of , Paul Pacheco of Albuquerque, Terry McMillan of Las Cruces and Vickie Perea of Belen, as well as House hopefuls Sarah Maestas Barnes and Conrad James, both of Albuquerque, Andrew "Andy" Nunez of Hatch and Geoff Rodgers of Los Alamos. James and Nunez are trying to win back their old House seats.

Builders Trust has also contributed the maximum $4,800 this year to at least eight other House members or candidates, including three Democratic incumbents: Patricia Lundstrom of Gallup, Dona Irwin of Deming and Mary Helen Garcia of Las Cruces.

The trust has donated a total of $31,200 to five Republican PACs, including Susana PAC, which was created by Gov. Martinez to help Republicans get elected to the Legislature.

Builders Trust also has contributed $10,400 each -- the maximum allowed for a statewide candidate -- to the re-election campaigns of Martinez and Duran.

The Home Builders Association, through its PAC, has long been a campaign donor, but this is the first election in which Builders Trust has become involved on such a large scale.

Jack Malark, chief executive officer of the association and the trust, said the trustees of the trust decided to dive in because of the Legislature's unwillingness to pass legislation that would reduce workers' compensation claims and, therefore, the insurance premiums that must be paid by businesses.

The Legislature in its session this year rejected legislation to prohibit payment of workers' compensation benefits when alcohol or drugs contributed to the injury or death.

"The board of directors (of Builders Trust) has become very frustrated," Malark said. "It's really an economic development issue."

Malark said the money for the campaign contributions came from surplus premiums. Asked why the trust didn't use the surplus to reduce premiums, he said that was a choice of the trustees.

Snapshots of other major donors to Republicans in key House races:

Devon Energy of Oklahoma City, an oil and gas producer with operations in New Mexico, has contributed $4,800 each to seven of the Republican House candidates and $2,400 to another.

Devon Energy is one of the largest donors to legislative incumbents and candidates. It has given at least $99,000 this election cycle to Republicans and Democrats, although mostly Republicans.

Occidental Oil and Gas of Los Angeles, also with operations in New Mexico, has contributed a total of at least $13,000 to Republicans in key House races, as well as $10,400 to Susana PAC. It has also donated to several other Republican and Democratic legislators.

Jalapeno Corp. of Albuquerque, an oil and gas company headed by former New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Harvey Yates Jr., has contributed at least $10,000 to the Republicans in key House races.

The Republican Leadership PAC, headed by House Minority Whip Nate Gentry of Albuquerque, has donated more than $17,000 in services and $2,000 in cash to GOP candidates in key House races. Major donors to the PAC include Builders Trust and the Farmers Underwriters Association, part of the Farmers Insurance Group.

The candidate committee of retiring Rep. Thomas Taylor, R-Farmington, has contributed at least $11,200 to the GOP candidates in key races. The candidate committee of retiring House Minority Leader Donald Bratton has given another $7,000.

New Mexico Forward PAC, whose major donors include Builders Trust and the Republican Leadership PAC, has given at least $10,000 to three candidates in key races.

Susana PAC -- whose donors since last fall include health care companies, oil and gas producers, gambling interests and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld -- has given at least $7,000 to two of the candidates.

UpFront is a daily front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Thom Cole at tcole@ abqjournal.com or 505-992-6280 in Santa Fe. Go to www.abqjournal. com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor. Follow the money

ALL TOLD, BUILDERS TRUST HAS MADE MORE THAN $128,000 IN POLITICAL DONATIONS IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

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