PRESS RELEASE

Defenders Action Fund throws support behind Martin Heinrich's Senate bid

Heinrich's high caliber and conservation record encourage a return to New Mexico for the conservation group

WASHINGTON (April 25, 2011) - Today Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund endorsed Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) in his bid to represent New Mexico in the U.S. Senate.

Announcing the group's first endorsement of the 2012 election cycle, President Rodger Schlickeisen said, "At a time when big corporate special interests are exercising so much influence over our elected officials in Washington, it is refreshing to be able to endorse someone as outstanding as Martin Heinrich, who can always be counted on to put the interests of his constituents first. Martin Heinrich is always working for a brighter future for New Mexico, and he knows one important way to create that future is to bring clean energy jobs to the state. And his unwavering support for protecting America's air, land, water and wildlife demonstrates what a trustworthy steward of our natural resources he is.

"A candidate of Heinrich's high caliber is a rare find and he is clearly the strongest Democratic candidate to fight for this seat. So Defenders Action Fund has every intention of helping him win his Senate campaign. Residents of New Mexico's first congressional district already know how hard working and principled Heinrich is, and soon the rest of the state will too. He will be an excellent U.S. Senator for New Mexico."

Background

Last month, Defenders Action Fund released a statewide poll of New Mexicans showing that in a hypothetical four-way matchup between Heinrich, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, former Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, and State Auditor Hector Balderas, Heinrich would win the Democratic nomination with 32% of the vote:

Martin Heinrich 32%
Diane Denish 25%
Ben Ray Lujan 15%
Hector Balderas 5%

In 2008 Defenders Action Fund spent nearly $1 million to help elect both Rep. Martin Heinrich and Sen. Tom Udall in their first races for the House and Senate, defeating extreme anti-conservationists Rep. Heather Wilson and Rep. Steve Pearce in the process. Defenders Action Fund also assisted Heinrich to win re-election in 2010.

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The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund (www.defendersactionfund.org) provides a powerful voice in Washington to Americans who value our conservation heritage. Through grassroots lobbying, issue advocacy and political campaigns, the Action Fund champions those laws and lawmakers that protect wildlife and wild places while working against those that do them harm.