Allen Weh

Allen Weh
Personal details
Born	(1942-11-17) November 17, 1942 Salem, Oregon, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Rebecca Roberton
Children	Ashley Deborah Brian
Alma mater	University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Religion	Christianity
Awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Bronze Star with V device Purple Heart with two gold stars Meritorious Service Medal with gold star 5 Air Medals
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps United States Marine Corps Reserve
Rank	Colonel

Allen Edward Weh (born November 17, 1942, Salem, Oregon) is an American politician, businessman and former Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of New Mexico in the 2010 election^[1] and was the Republican nominee for the United States Senate in the 2014 elections against incumbent Democratic Senator Tom Udall, to whom he lost.

Biography

He is the president and CEO of CSI Aviation Services, Inc., an international air charter and leasing services company he founded in 1979. He is a retired US Marine Corps Reserve Colonel, and he served as chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party from 2004 to 2009.^[2]

Weh graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Mexico in 1966 and received his Master's degree from there in 1973.^[3] Weh began his military service as an enlisted Marine before being selected for Officer Candidates School. He served two tours in Vietnam and with the British Royal Marines in Malaysia.^[3] Weh was recalled for active duty three times before retirement: for the Persian Gulf War, for the U.S. expedition into Somalia, and to serve as chief of staff for Marine Forces Pacific, the largest field command in the Marine Corps.^[3] After retiring, Weh was again called back to duty in 2003 and given a key leadership role in the creation and organization of the new Iraqi Army.^[3] For his service, Weh received a Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, one with V device, a Purple Heart with two gold stars, the Meritorious Service medal with gold star, and five Air Medals.

In 1979, Weh and his wife, Rebecca Roberton Weh, launched CSI Aviation, Inc., a worldwide company that charters flights for private, commercial and government uses.^[4] In the years since, CSI has grown into a multi-million dollar company, providing air service to athletic teams, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, as well as leasing planes.^[5][6][7][8]

Firing of US Attorneys

Weh complained in 2005 about then-U.S. Attorney David Iglesias to a White House aide for Karl Rove, asking that Iglesias be removed. Weh was dissatisfied with Iglesias due in part to his failure to indict New Mexico State Senator Manny Aragon on fraud and conspiracy charges. After Iglesias was dismissed, his replacement, Acting U.S. Attorney Larry Gomez brought a 26 count felony indictment against Aragon. In a plea bargain, Aragon plead guilty to three felony fraud counts. Weh followed up with, "There's nothing we've done that's wrong. It wasn't that Iglesias wasn't looking out for Republicans. He just wasn't doing his job, period."^[9]

2010 gubernatorial primary

On June 1, 2010, Weh lost to his main opponent in the primary, Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez. At the end of the election, Weh came up second with the votes, as compared to opponents Susana Martinez who took the lead, Doug Turner who came to third, Pete Domenici, Jr. in fourth, and Janice Arnold Jones who came in last.^[10][11] Weh conceded to Martinez shortly after 9:00 PM when Martinez held over half of the precinct votes, or 8,000 votes greater than Weh. Weh offered his congratulations to Martinez just after her decided victory".^[12] Martinez went on to win the general election.

Both Martinez and Weh were chided for excessive mud-slinging and lack of party collegiality during the race.^[13][14]

2014 Senate election

In the 2014 election Weh ran on the Republican ticket for United States Senate seat against the incumbent Democrat Tom Udall. In the primary he faced David Clements, also of Doña Ana County, a former assistant district attorney, and chairman of the county Republican Party.^[15] In the straw poll at the Republican state convention, Clements polled a strong 47% against the well-known Weh,^[15][16] but in the June primary Weh beat Clements handily 63% to 37%.^[17]

In the general election Weh had the full support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC),^[18] the National Rifle Association (NRA)^[19] and other groups who sponsored independent political advertisements.^[20] However, in October the NRSC diverted its attention and money away from New Mexico to the six states that it thought would determine control of the Senate.^[21] In the first televised debate between Udall and Weh the issues of immigration reform, job creation in New Mexico, and drought management were addressed. Weh harped on Obama's policies and Udall said that he stood on his record. Neither candidate committed any serious gaffs, and there was no clear winner of the debate.^[22] A second debate was scheduled at the last minute for October 30, where issues included the national debt, Obamacare, and the economy.^[23] Weh clarified his position on the minimum wage saying I break with my party on this, I’m fine with raising the minimum wage,^[23] During the campaign both candidates were lambasted for muckracking and running negative campaigns.^[24] Udall won with 55% of the vote.

Notes