August 2008: Feature Story

Head East!
Dan East Throws His Hard Hat Into the Political Ring
By Greg Thompson

“I firmly believe in fewer regulations, fewer taxes and letting American ingenuity and innovation prosper.”

It’s easy to be a critic while standing on the sidelines second-guessing other people’s opinions. Every armchair coach is undefeated; every dining-room politician is a genius.

Dan East, owner of Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Cone Construction Co. and National Utility Contractors Association Senior Vice President, finally decided that he had enough of sitting on the sidelines. Concerned that many elected officials seemed to have lost touch with their constituencies and ready to see businesses and the country back on the right track, East jumped into the race for New Mexico’s Third District congressional seat when sitting Congressman Tom Udall announced his intention to pursue retiring Senator Pete Domenici’s seat.

East is the first to admit that he was anything but a political insider as he headed into the primary. His opponent, Marco Gonzales, on the other hand was a former aide to Senator Domenici and received the Senator’s endorsement. That fact, however, did not stop East from taking 54 percent of the primary vote, winning the Republican nomination and setting up a race with Democrat Ben Ray Lujan, a member of the state Public Regulation Commission. Pursuing a congressional seat as a Republican in a historically Democrat-leaning district might seem like an uphill battle, but just as East has been undaunted by his opponents’ connections, he is confident that his position on key issues reaches across party lines.

Despite his increasingly busy schedule, East was happy to answer a few questions from Utility Contractor about his campaign and the issues that have shaped his bid for Congress.

What initially motivated you to pursue a Congressional seat?

My motivation and inspiration came from NUCA’s regular lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill and my personal experiences during the association’s annual legislative fly-in. It is my belief that the majority of our Congressional leaders have lost touch with the people, and that it is time to replace them with conservative business leadership — men and women who understand firsthand how difficult times really are and are willing to stand against some of the ridiculous legislating that’s going on today. Our current Congressional representative Tom Udall, for example, has snubbed small business since his election.

What are the major concerns you face in organizing and running a political campaign?

“This has been a grass roots campaign from the start and we will win the general election with the same strategy.”

The major concern is raising capital to fund a congressional race. Initially, it was a little difficult for me as an outsider to reach beyond the industry in which I work. However, as I’ve been on the campaign trail getting my message out, funding is starting to come in. People are encouraged by my commitment to bringing conservative values back to Congress and fighting for our industry and for this country. I firmly believe in reinvesting in America and providing value back to the tax-paying families. One example of that is the fight for increased investment in our aging and ailing infrastructure — the roads, bridges and clean water systems that are vital to a strong economy, healthy society and a clean environment.

Data and history indicates that New Mexico’s Third District traditionally votes Democrat. How do your stances on particular issues address that potential divide?

What the numbers don’t show is the large number of people who are conservative or moderate Democrats.

When I’m out talking with people, regardless of party affiliation, we all have the same concerns regarding the issues. More importantly, we all believe that our government is overspending and not paying attention to the people who put them in office. We need to circle the wagons and start taking care of America. We need to reinvest in America and get people back to work.

How has the national government’s response to infrastructure concerns been over the past few years?

Dismal at best. Our government has forgotten that one of the things that has made this country great is its infrastructure. Without safe roads and bridges, we cannot move our merchandise or mobilize our military. Without clean water, we cannot have healthy communities and a clean environment. It is vital that we have someone in Congress who understands the need for a strong infrastructure.

Given that our infrastructure is in trouble, what should be the plan of attack in addressing it?

Funding! Funding! Funding!

Fair enough. Where should funding for infrastructure repair come from?

We need to cut the fraud and wasteful spending that’s going on today. We need to cut the earmarks that do not benefit America. If we could get the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to actually do a cost/benefit analysis of all the programs today, we would find out which programs are not working and redirect funding to programs that do work.

Do the issues most important to NUCA — infrastructure investment, opposing the SAVE Act, opposing the expansion of the Clean Water Act, OSHA concerns — cross party lines?

Absolutely. These are truly non-partisan issues. The far liberal left, in the name of environmental safety, has shut down industries vital to our nation’s security and well being. I firmly believe that the solution lies in fewer regulations, fewer taxes and more opportunities for American ingenuity and innovation to prosper. The private market provides prosperity, not our government. To quote Winston Churchill, “You cannot tax a society into prosperity; it’s like standing in a bucket and trying to pull yourself up.”

What is your stance on new drilling for oil production?

Oil and natural gas production are a huge industry in New Mexico and my position on energy production crosses state lines. In brief, we need to reduce regulations to allow drilling now and start building additional refineries and nuclear facilities, and at the same time, promote, fund and build renewable and alternative forms of energy.

Currently, we are an oil-based society in an oil-based world.

With renewable and alternative energies that are affordable 20 to 40 years out, we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by exploring and producing this product on our own shores and continental shelf. It comes back to what I have been saying for more than six months. Cut the regulations, cut taxes and let the American private sector pull us out of this mess.

How critical is immigration reform to the nation?

Immigration reform is just as critical in New Mexico as it is in the entire country. The cost impacts to the United States are several billion dollars. From education and healthcare to incarceration and national security, illegal immigration is a drain on our economy. When we look at this issue, we must bring it down to one basic fact: Illegal immigrants have broken the law. If we were to enforce the laws we already have on the books, that alone would help stem the flow. Additionally, our system requires a serious overhaul.

We need to fix the naturalization process so that we have tamper-proof visa systems for individuals who just want to come to our country to work. And, we cannot have policies that turn employers into border agents.

How have your experiences with NUCA and the close ties you have to the community in which you live and work shaped your desire to seek public office?

I have been employed in our industry for more than 30 years and have always been proud of the fact that the work we do provides a needed service to our communities. I’ve also come to know the impact that a strong and healthy infrastructure has on health and economic security.

“When I’m out talking with people, regardless of party affi liation, we all have the same concerns with the issues.”

Over the last 10 years, our elected officials, from local to federal, have lost sight of this important aspect of our lives. These officials are moving closer each day to a form of government that does not provide a value back to its citizens. As I stated earlier, it’s time that we, as citizens, started holding our government accountable for its actions and started cleaning house so that we can get back to the conservative fiscal values that have historically helped the American people succeed.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers and your voters to know about you and your campaign?

I just want to reiterate that many of our congressional leaders have lost touch with the American people and are pursuing their own personal interests. It’s therefore time to get back to the kind of conservative, fiscally-responsible leadership that comes from individuals with a business background. I am that business leader and that fiscal conservative. I’m running not only for the honor of representing the people of District 3 in New Mexico, but also for the honor of representing all Americans. My issues are their issues.

If elected, I will support legislation that addresses the nation’s water/wastewater needs. I will also support immigration policies that safeguard employers, fight to repeal the three-percent withholding on government contracts, oppose expansion of federal control over waters and wetlands and support permanent repeal of the Death Tax. My voice and my stand on these issues are being well received throughout District 3 and support is growing daily. We’re looking forward to a victory in November.

Greg Thompson is a contributing editor to Utility Contractor.