Silver City - U.S. Representative Steve Pearce's GOAL WestPAC recently spent thousands of outside corporate dollars on television ads directed at Democratic state House candidate Rudy Martinez'accusing him of hurting local miners in a political stunt meant to distract voters from the real issues. The ad references the so-called "copper rule," which was adopted in 2013; it allows mining companies to pollute groundwater beyond state clean water standards, putting the drinking water of nearby residents at risk.

"These types of ads are misleading voters who are looking for a real debate on the issues that matter to them most: jobs, education and ethics," stated Democratic candidate for House District 39, Rudy Martinez. "I worked at the copper mines for over 30 years, and they are an integral part of my life. I support the mines to the fullest extent. The truth about this copper mining rule is being distorted to the point where the real culprits'former environment secretary Ryan Flynn, state representative Zimmerman and their outside corporate interests'are held blameless while setting rules that harm the health and well-being of communities like Silver City. This is the type of misleading attacks that are turning off voters, and GOAL WestPAC should pull down their ad immediately."

Rudy Martinez supports holding businesses to standards that protect the health and future of New Mexico's children and grandchildren while growing our economy for everyone. Representative John Zimmerman is on record supporting the deregulation of mining operations, even going so far as to allow mines placed on standby to avoid regulating permits for years while they pollute the environment and hurt the health of nearby communities.