Posted at: 07/13/2009 4:13 PM
Updated at: 07/13/2009 6:25 PM
By: Eyewitness News 4

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GOP airs anti-Denish ad 16 months before election

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish

New Mexico doesn't elect a new governor for another 16 months, but Republicans are already taking swings at Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.

The GOP is airing television ads claiming Denish changed her position on gambling, first saying it was harmful and then casting tie-breaking votes in the 2005 Legislature to expand slot machine hours at race tracks.

The GOP is also trying to tie Denish to the pay-to-play investigation gnawing away at the Richardson administration.

Republican insiders say they need to keep Denish from putting distance between herself and the governor.

Democratic Party chairman Brian Colon says the anti-Denish ad comes at a suspicious time.

"Isn't it coincidental that at the time she's rolling out a good plan is the time they're going to roll out these innuendos," he said.

Denish says the unusually early ad indicates that Republicans are desperate. She also says the campaign is going to become a mud fight.

Denish, who began her campaign for governor several months ago, has already raised close to $2 million for her race.

Only one Republican has announced an intention to run—Greg Zanetti. Allen Weh and Heather Wilson are considering running.

The GOP also has been attacking Denish in editorial pieces in newspapers.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Watch the commercial by New Mexico Republican Party:

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)