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You are here: News Sun News District 22 candidate Sandra Jeff named to ‘Dirty Dozen’ list

District 22 candidate Sandra Jeff named to ‘Dirty Dozen’ list

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Group calls Jeff bad on

environmental issues

SANTA FE – Conservation Voters New Mexico and the national League of Conservation Voters announced May 31 that Sandra Jeff, a former member (District 5) of the New Mexico House of Representatives, has been named to the “Dirty Dozen in the States” for the second time in as many years. Modeled after LCV’s trademark federal “Dirty Dozen,” the state version highlights 12 of the most anti-environment state-level candidates from around the country.

CVNM released the information to media outlets across New Mexico.

“[Sandra Jeff’s] record made her an obvious choice for this dubious distinction,” Ben Shelton, CVNM political and legislative director, said. “By naming [Sandra Jeff] to the ‘Dirty Dozen in the States,’ we are highlighting her misguided priorities for District 22 [of the New Mexico Senate].”

During her time as a New Mexico state rep, Jeff, who is from Crownpoint, established a record as an anti-conservation legislator. Jeff was named to the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list in 2014, Shelton said.

“This past year we’ve seen some tremendous progress on building our clean energy future at the state level,” Gene Karpinski, president of the LCV, said. “While that progress has not been uniform, we have seen states pass legislation that accelerates the transition to renewable, clean energy. Defeating anti-environmental candidates like [Sandra Jeff] in New Mexico is how we build pro-conservation majorities that lead to these kinds of successes.”

The Navajo-born Jeff, who is running for the District 22 seat for the first time ever and against attorney and incumbent Benny Shendo of Jemez Pueblo, earned inclusion on the list by taking the anti-conservation stances listed below:

Jeff has not supported the community’s attempts to clean up legacy uranium waste that impacts land, water, air, and health. The largest radioactive material took place in Church Rock, which is located in District 22. The spill left some people victimized by cancer.

In 2013, Jeff cast votes against the establishment of private rights of action for violation of state environmental laws (HB 429), and in favor of privatizing key public services (HB 405), according to CVNM.

CVNM is a Santa Fe-based organization that seeks to connect people to their political power with respect to the protection of air, land, and water. The organization does this by mobilizing voters, holding elected officials accountable, and advancing responsible public policies, CVNM Communications Director Liliana Castillo said.

Jeff did not respond to repeated calls for comment. Her email address listed on Secretary of State’s website is non-functional.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent


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