ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A state representative’s picture in her fire department uniform on a political mailer has drawn the city’s attention.
KRQE reported that city officials wrote a letter to state Rep. Emily Kane, a Democrat, warning her about using Albuquerque Fire Department property in campaign materials.
“You are absolutely not to wear your AFD uniform, or to utilize or display your badge or insignia in photographs related to your legislative or political activities,” assistant city attorney Rebecca Wardlaw wrote.
AFD spokesperson Milissa Romero said the political mailer did not come from the Kane campaign. It was paid for by the state Democratic House Speaker’s Ken Martinez Leadership Fund, according to the report.
“Emily Kane had no idea this mailer was going to go out,” said Michael Cadigan, Kane’s attorney. “We have a problem with the use of this photograph. We’re trying to be careful not to use City of Albuquerque insignia that you can read, implying some sort of endorsement by the City of Albuquerque.”
The city and Kane have been at odds ever since she announced her candidacy in 2012. The city attorney’s office has maintained that she is in violation of a charter provision barring any city employee from holding an elected position, according to the report.
A district judge later ruled that the provision was unconstitutional. The city appealed the decision to the New Mexico Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear the case, according to the report.