Home Is Where the Ballots Are (NM Dems)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | October 2, 2010 | Thomas J. Cole

[CedarDave]

There is a lot of Hobbs in Marty and Johnny Cope.

The wealthy couple own several businesses and a large home there. They are active in civic and political affairs.

A terminal building at the airport is named after Johnny Cope. Marty Cope is the founder of an annual Christmastime fundraiser for foster children.

Reared in Hobbs, Johnny Cope first registered to vote in Lea County in 1972; Marty Cope, a native, started voting there in 1998.

Yet, on June 23, the Copes transferred their voter registrations to Lincoln County, allowing them to vote in a special election on a tax break for the Ruidoso Downs horse-racing track and casino.

That is noteworthy for a couple of reasons.

Marty Cope is chairwoman of the New Mexico Racing Commission and a member of the state Gaming Control Board.

Johnny Cope has a business interest with Ruidoso Downs majority owner R.D. Hubbard. He also is chairman of the state Transportation Commission. Both Copes are appointees of their good friend Gov. Bill Richardson.

Marty Cope has said her husband's partnership with Hubbard in the ownership of several race horses doesn't pose a conflict of interest for her in regulating Hubbard's track and casino. Cope, in her role as head of the Racing Commission, publicly warned Lincoln County residents that Hubbard could abandon the track and casino if voters didn't approve the tax break.

[CedarDave]

Interesting the associations the powerful have in a small state like New Mexico. Sometimes it works to the benefit of the person; sometimes to the benefit of the community.

Though appointed by Richardson, I'd like to think their actions (which are legal) were to benefit the community and not enrich themselves (heck they don't need enriching -- Cope's Lasco Construction already builds most of the local new construction, including the Hobbs school additions.) I guess I have a soft spot for them; I've met and talked with Johnny several years ago and he's very likable and down-home folksy. And they have done a lot for this oil-patch town.

To get a better idea of who the Johnny Cope is, read this article from the Journal published in 2007.

Tycoon Backs Gov. All the Way

[CedarDave]

NM list PING!

(The NM list is available on my FR homepage for anyone to use. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list. For ABQ Journal articles requiring a subscription, scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the article for free after watching a short video commercial.)

[Army Air Corps]

Is Lasco doing the construction work for New Mexico Junior College?

[CedarDave]

I don’t know — will have to drive by there to find out.

[Army Air Corps]

I have been to Hobbs many times and enjoy my visits there. I have also been to NMJC a few times (I know some folks who work there).

[LegendHasIt]

Thanks for the ping. Always interested in info about my arch- enemies.

I always have been suspicious of people who spend more money advertising their philanthropy then they spend on their philanthropy... And that is the least of Hubbard’s sins IMHO.

[Clinging Bitterly]

Interesting articles, explaining a lot about the political connections to this NM newcomer.

To think, where I come from much was made about my old (and late) boss's $25000 contribution to the current and outgoing Oregon Dem governor (though the lion's share of his political contributions went to Republicans). He also served on the state Transportation Commission, appointed by the current and past Democratic governors. After his death, the Transportation Commission moved and voted to rename Eugene's former Beltline Highway in his honor. The leftist crowd in Eugene went nuts, to think a major highway would be renamed in honor of a (R)ich capitalist. But the renaming came to pass and I'm pleased. My late boss was really a great guy and for everything he did in Oregon and the Eugene area he deserved the honor.