Truth Meter

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What they said: “Your state representative, Marian Matthews, voted to let pedophiles off the hook when she voted AGAINST greater mandatory sentencing for sex offenders. 

The reference: a floor amendment offered in HB 114 in 2021.

FACT:  What the Republicans fail to tell you is that Rep, Matthews joined with Republicans in voting against passage of HB114 precisely because she was not AGAINST greater mandatory sentencing for sex offenders. 

MORE FACTS: As a prosecutor in the Attorney General’s Office, she prosecuted sex offenders and supervised investigations of suspected sex offenders. In addition she successfully worked to enact legislation to make sex between a therapist and his patient a crime, overturning case law that consensual sex between a therapist and his adult patient was not a crime. See 30-9-10 NMSA 1978. 

When Rep. Matthews heard testimony in 2021 that in some judicial districts in New Mexico dismissal rates of sex crimes were as high as 91 percent, she helped obtain funding for the state attorney general’s office to train local law enforcement and to expand the number of prosecutors in his office available to help local DAs prosecute these cases. 

In 2020 Rep. Matthews was the House sponsor for a bill to extend the civil statute of limitations for childhood victims of sexual assault. In 2021 she was a sponsor of a bill to give schools greater ability to check the backgrounds of prospective employees. 

Rape is the most costly crime to its victims, averaging $122,461 for adult victims and causing a child victim to lose $241,600 in income over his or her lifetime. It is a devasting crime. 

Rep. Matthew will match her record on sex crimes against ANY REPUBLICAN Representative in the House!

What they said: “Marian Matthews voted to allow convicted sex offenders to receive professional licenses ...." 

The reference: SB385 voted on in the 2019 session. 

FACT: Rep. Marian Matthews did NOT become a legislator until January 6, 2020 when she was appointed by a 5-0 vote of the County Commission to fill the unexpired term of Rep. William Pratt who died on December 25, 2019. 

She was not even a member of the House when this vote took place in the spring of 2019. 

Additional info: It’s interesting that SB385 was sponsored by REPUBLICAN MARK MOORES whose district includes much of Dt. 27. The bill allowed those convicted of crimes (any crime, not just sex crimes) who had successfully completed their sentences to be able to obtain occupational licenses that require a license from the state in order to legally be entitled to do the job to not be disqualified from getting a license unless their crime was directly related to the job they sought the license for. 

The bill passed the House in 2019 by a vote of 68-0. All the REPUBLICANS in the House supported it, along with ALL the Democrats. That's called "bipartisan" legislation. 

What they said: “Rep. Marian Matthews sold out doctors to the Trial Lawyers and voted FOR 2021 HB 75” 

FACT: Rep. Matthews voted AGAINST HB75, and earned the anger of the powerful New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association as a result. HB75 related to medical malpractice and Rep. Matthews is one of the leaders in the effort to amend the bill to correct serious problems that adversely affect health care and health care access for all New Mexicans. She no longer accepts the financial support of the NMTLA. 

What they said: “Why has crime gotten so bad in our communities? Because your representative, Marian Matthews, voted to get rid of qualified immunity for law enforcement. Without it, the hands of law enforcement are tied, keeping them from taking actions that can catch criminals and save lives.” 

FACT: Stooping to a new low, this flyer blames the tragic death of a pizzeria owner killed in a robbery a few weeks ago on a legal doctrine recognized only in federal – not state – court. With or without “qualified immunity,” law enforcement officers in New Mexico – like other state employees -- are protected against personal liability for their acts done in the course and scope of their employment. If damages are awarded because of the officer’s conduct, the officer’s employer – the State of New Mexico, City or County – pays the judgment. We protect and defend our law enforcement officers. In fact, I along with my colleagues increased to $1 million the amount their loved ones will receive if they are killed in the line of duty. 

Note: APD caught the alleged shooter within a short time after the shooting occurred. Qualified immunity played absolutely NO role in that tragedy. 

FALSE ATTACKS BASED ON PROPOSED FLOOR AMENDMENTS: 

What they said: Several of the flyers relate to obscure floor amendments on minor bills. 

FACT: It’s a GOTCHA technique for a party that has no accomplishments of its own to run on. They introduce amendments not meant to improve the proposed legislation but to create a GOTCHA.