In case you missed it: Pearce stands by false attacks on terminal cancer patient, still hiding taxes

In a profile yesterday in the Albuquerque Journal, multi-millionaire Steve Pearce continued to evade accountability by refusing to follow Michelle Lujan Grisham in releasing five years of tax returns to the public. Pearce also stood by his heinous attack ads, despite his vicious attacks on a terminally ill pancreatic cancer patient being proven false by the media.

Pearce: ‘This is about the future of the state’

By Dan Boyd / Journal Capitol Bureau Chief

[…]

When it comes to his opponent, Pearce has stepped up his attacks in recent weeks.

He has specifically linked Lujan Grisham to Richardson, who had to withdraw his nomination to be U.S. commerce secretary in 2009 due to a pay-to-play investigation that did not lead to any indictments.

Lujan Grisham led the state’s Department of Health under Richardson before abruptly resigning in 2007.

“She’s rebuilding the Richardson administration – same donors, same insiders and the same practices,” Pearce said in reference to Lujan Grisham.

He also said that, if elected governor, he would push for a new state law that would bar elected officials from holding contracts with the state.

“New Mexico has suffered under corruption for too long and we just act like it’s normal,” Pearce said.

However, Pearce has also faced criticism about his own willingness to be transparent, specifically when it comes to releasing his personal tax returns.

After state Democrats hammered him on the issue, Pearce recently said he would release his 2017 returns in mid-October. Lujan Grisham already released five years of her state and federal income tax returns in May.

Pearce’s assets in 2017 were valued at between $7.5 million and more than $36 million, based on the financial disclosure report he filed earlier this year as a member of Congress. He reported holdings in several companies, including a Hobbs-based firm that rents party equipment, such as tables and chairs.

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