Daniel Leiva’s Commitment to Transparency, Integrity, and a People-Powered Campaign
by Daniel Leiva

I am focused on working hard to become your next city councilor. I am knocking on doors, making calls, and listening to your concerns. Unfortunately, one of my opponents has resorted to different tactics. My opponent’s campaign manager, Scott Forrester, has launched a misinformation campaign about me.

Over the past few days, many of you have gotten calls from my opponent’s campaign manager and emails from a watchdogforfairelections which have lied about my voluntary expanded audit and cooperation with the City Clerk and Inspector General.

I understand, this is politics. I can handle attacks from an opposing campaign. Attacks will not distract me from the work I need to get done in order to win. I am going to stay the course. However, I feel inclined to address this issue because some of my endorsements and supporters have felt the calls made by Mr. Forrester were intimidating. I am going to stand strong for my supporters and endorsements. 

There is no complaint against me and there is no fraud.  No complaint was filed against me nor my campaign. I welcomed and agreed to an expanded investigation, initiated out of an abundance of caution, to ensure volunteers had completed the contribution forms correctly.

From the beginning, we have worked together with the City Clerk’s Office. In fact, City Clerk Ethan Watson himself said that our campaign has had “very fruitful conversations” with his office and that we have been “very transparent and engaged.” I am proud of my campaign’s commitment to transparency through our collaboration with the city.

Moreover, the Office of Internal Audit conducted an expanded audit of 38 additional contributions and found no issues. Our opponent has chosen to lie and weaponize misinformation. I am not sure if it is out of malice, out of desperation, or because they genuinely are unable to read and comprehend election codes. Therefore, I am working with the City Clerk in asking for an investigation to vindicate my campaign, our volunteers, and supporters.

Although my opponent’s campaign and his manager have an actual ethics complaint filed by Stephanie Telles for campaign bribery and an upcoming hearing on September 10^th in front of the board of ethics, 

https://www.cabq.gov/clerk/documents/ethics-complaint-letter_stephanie-w-telles.pdf

I will not engage in a smear campaign. 

When you receive a call or an email from me, or I knock on your door, it will not be to smear any of my opponents. It will be to hear your vision for the Westside and to humbly ask for your vote.

This election is about the future of District 1. It’s about safer neighborhoods, stronger local and sustainable economy, and real opportunities for entire families on the Westside. I will continue to focus on the values that matter most: transparency, integrity, and listening to our community. 

We are united by our shared vision. 

Estamos unidos por nuestra visión compartida.

With gratitude,

Daniel LeivaCity Council Candidate, District 1
www.votedanielleiva.com
info@votedanielleiva.com