Dear Republican State Central Committee

Member:
I am writing you today regarding something
that troubles me greatly about our own state
partyits leadership.
This year I had a primary opponent for the
frst time. Now Im not upset at having an
opponent, this is America and if someone
wants to run for ofce, they should. What
does bother me, however, is the fact that my
opponents campaign was apparently
endorsed and funded by our own party
leadership at a time when our state party is
doing nothing to help defeat the Democrats.
Let me explain. In 2009, I was appointed to
this legislative seat. Its no secret that our
current state chairman, John Billingsley,
coveted and sought this position, and
harbored ill-will toward me ever since his
candidacy was rejected by both the Lincoln
and Otero County Commissions.
During the legislative session this year, a
consultant of John Billingsleys openly
bragged to Republican legislators that they
were going to primary members who
opposed Billingsley. They bragged that they
had a donor who would spend whatever it
takes in these primaries.
When fling day came around, just like
Billingsleys operative promised, I had a
primary opponent. My opponent is a close
friend of Billingsley, and interestingly
enough, his biggest campaign donor was
none other than the state party fnance
chair!
The state party fnance chair not only gave
my opponent thousands of dollars, he also
did exactly what Billingsleys consultant
threatenedhe started a shadowy super-
PAC to falsely attack me. According to
public fnance reports, the state party
fnance chair contributed over $60,000 to
defeat me in the primary!
Now why did they do this? Was it because I
opposed GOP principles and conservative
ideas? Or voted against the Governor? Or
opposed our Caucus? No, none of these
reasons. In fact, I was endorsed by every
member of the Republican caucus in the
state house. I was endorsed by key
conservative groups like the NRA and
Right-to-Life. And I was endorsed by
Governor Susana Martinez.
Again, dont get me wrong, this is America
and people are free to run for ofce and
support whomever they want. None of us is
entitled to our elected position and I dont
have a problem being challenged But I do
have a problem with party ofcials creating
in-fghting and wasting resources attacking
solid Republicans. Even though they spent
over $60,000 in my race, I still ended up
winning with 62% of the vote. Why?
Because rank-and-fle Republicans are
focused on the issues and our real
opponents. Its only people like Billingsley
and a handful around him who are
unfocused and pursuing personal agendas.
Whats most disappointing is that the state
party has yet to give a dime to any
Republican legislator running for ofce this
year. We need to gain three seats to
capture the state house and how many
candidates did the state party recruit to run
against Democrats? Zero. Thats right, the
only candidate they recruited was someone
to run against mein a Republican
Primary. And the $60,000 they spent
couldve come in handy this fall. Will
Billingsley and the fnance chair pony up
that kind of money to defeat a Democrat in
the general election? Or are they only
interested in attacking members of our own
party?
$60,000 would be a great boost to Conrad
James, or to Sarah Maestas-Barnes or
Vicki Perea, or several other house
candidates. It could make the diference in
winning a majority for the frst time since
1954. Thats what I believe our focus should
bewinning the house. Not spinning our
wheels, merely trying to replace one
Republican with another Republican.
But this is a pattern of conduct for John
Billingsley: He tries to divide the party.
Billingsley actually hired Anissa Galassini-
Ford to raise money for the party. This is
the same Anissa Galassini who had her
home raided by the FBI because of her
involvement with the Jamies Estrada stolen
email case. Galassini was given immunity
to avoid prosecution in exchange for
testifying against Estrada. And Galassini is
believed to be the source of the audio tapes
released to the left-wing extremist
magazine Mother Jones.
Now Galassini is being sued, along with
Democratic State Party Chairman Sam
Bregman, for disseminating the stolen
emails. There is something wrong when the
person working with Sam Bregman to
attacok Republicans is being hired by our
state party chair. His focus on petty politics
and infghting has led to Billingsley being
derelict with his duties as our state
chairmanthe state party is now broke and
without a director.
Since January of 2013, the state party has
raised only $239,039 and spent $561,238.
If Billingsley had not inherited a six-fgure
balance from former state Chairman Monty
Newman, the state party would be
bankrupt.
Current cash-on-hand is $7,108 in their
federal account and $16,882 in their state
account. Those are frighteningly small
balances as we approach Labor Day.
By comparison, the last state chairman
raised well over $2 Million and did that while
the Governor was raising $3 Million to help
legislative campaigns and while Heather
Wilson was raising $6 Million for her
campaign. Billingsley raised less than 10%
of what the previous chairman raised.
Now I know these folks well enough to know
they will say that I am being divisive. But the
fact of the matter is I am warning you about
the true dividers. Ill just have to risk their
attack and leave it to Republicans to weigh
the facts on their own. My purpose in this
letter is to let you know the important facts
facts that would otherwise be hidden from
you. You are the backbone of the party and
you have a right to know.
Despite the lack of leadership, fund-raising,
or focus at the state party, I am very
optimistic about this fall. We have an
excellent chance of winning the state house
and electing Republicans up and down the
ballot. Money is being raised by energetic
leaders and long-time supporters of the
party. Individual donors are giving to
candidates and volunteers are already
going door-to-door all over the state. I frmly
believe we are in for a big victory in
November, even as the state party stays on
the sidelines.
I encourage you all to work for the
Republican campaigns in your area. If you
hear negative comments from within our
own party about any of our nominees, well,
this letter has allowed you to be forewarned.
You now know to pay no attention to it. I
encourage you to be hopeful, enthusiastic,
stay focused on our Democrat opponents,
and keep talking positively about our
Republican candidates.
Sincerely,
Representative Zach Cook