The race for the district attorney spot in the Second Judicial District, which includes all of Bernalillo County, is the most expensive so far in the state. Pictured are incumbent Sam Bregman, left, who has raised more than $400,000 and his opponent Damon Martinez, who has raised about $300,000, including $170,000 of loans he made to his campaign. (Courtesy of Second Judicial District and the Martinez campaign Facebook).
The primary race for Albuquerque’s top prosecutor job is the most expensive in the state so far, between incumbent Sam Bregman and challenger Damon Martinez. But a gap in disclosure laws means voters have less information about one candidate’s finances and potential conflicts than the other’s.
The sharp increase in spending in the Second Judicial District may reflect increased public anxiety about crime and public safety in the state’s biggest city and elsewhere.
Bregman has reported raising more than $400,000 so far this election, making him the highest earner of any non-federal candidate in New Mexico. Martinez has pulled in about $300,000 — making him the second-highest fundraiser — though he loaned himself $170,000 of that, according to state campaign records. Candidates will file an update about their fundraising May 13.