Allen Weh

Allen Edward Weh (born November 17, 1942) is an American politician, businessman and retired 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 the Republican Nominee for the United States Senate 2014 election against incumbent Democratic Senator Tom Udall. He is the founder and CEO of CSI Aviation Services, the largest supplier of deportation flights for unlawful residents of the United States, until the contract ended in 2017.[2][3]

Allen Weh
Chair of the New Mexico Republican Party
In office
2004–2009
Preceded byRamsey Gorham
Succeeded byHarvey Yates
Personal details
Born (1942-11-17) November 17, 1942
Salem, Oregon, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Rebecca Roberton
Children3
EducationUniversity of New Mexico,
Albuquerque (BS, MA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Rank Colonel
UnitUnited States Marine Corps Reserve
AwardsSilver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Bronze Star (with valor)
Purple Heart (with two gold stars
Meritorious Service Medal (with gold star)
5 Air Medals

Biography

Allen Weh is the CEO of CSI Aviation, Inc., an international air charter and leasing services company he founded in 1979. He is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Colonel, and he served as chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party from 2004 to 2008.[4]

Weh holds both Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from the University of New Mexico.[5]

Weh began his military service as an enlisted Marine before selection for Officer Candidate School. He served two tours in Vietnam and with the British Royal Marines in Malaysia.[5] Colonel Weh was recalled for active duty during the Persian Gulf War, for the U.S. expedition into Somalia, and to serve as Chief of Staff of Marine Forces Pacific prior to retiring in 1997.[5] In 2003-04 he was again recalled from the USMC Retired List to serve in Iraq and given a key leadership role with the creation and organization of the new Iraqi Army.[5] 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 Services, Inc., a worldwide company that charters flights for private, commercial and government uses.[6] In the years since, CSI has grown into a multimillion-dollar company, providing air service to athletic teams, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, as well as leasing planes.[7][8][9][10]

Firing of U.S. Attorneys
Main article: Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy
Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy

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."[11]

2010 Gubernatorial Primary
Main article: 2010 New Mexico gubernatorial election § Republican nomination

On 1 June 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.[12][13] 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".[14] Martinez went on to win the general election.

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 argued Obama's policies and Udall said that he stood on his record.[22] A second debate was scheduled at the last minute for 30 October, 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] Udall won with 55.5% of the vote.

Notes
  1. Haussamen, Heath (9 September 2009). "Weh formally enters gubernatorial race". NMPolitics.net (Haussamen Publications, Inc.). Archived from the original on 22 October 2010.
  2. Shen, Aviva (1 December 2016). "The corporation that deports immigrants has a major stake in Trump's presidency". ThinkProgress. Retrieved 20 April 2017. The main provider of these deportation flights is CSI Aviation.
  3. https://www.usaspending.gov/#/award/8288537
  4. "NM Republicans elect new leader". KRQE Television. 10 January 2009. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011.
  5. Weh, Allen E. "About: Allen Weh". Allen Weh 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2010.
  6. "About CSI Aviation". CSI Aviation. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014.
  7. http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation/air-transportation-air-charter-services/11754265-1.html
  8. Manafian, Lisa (2 February 2012). "Making the Move from Military to Civilian Work". Military.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014.
  9. "Focus on the Middle Market Podcast Series - Allen Weh, CEO of CSI Aviation". President & CEO Magazine (PCEO). 31 May 2013.
  10. Tanfani, Joseph (10 July 2014). "Border surge could be windfall for Senate candidate's air charter firm". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014.
  11. "Report: Rove was urged to oust U.S. attorney". NBC News. 11 March 2007.
  12. "Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 1, 2010 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). New Mexico Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 February 2014.
  13. "Report: 2010 Primary Elections Results". KRQE. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010.
  14. "Report: Allen Weh concedes governor's race". KRQE. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010.
  15. Coleman, Michael (18 May 2014). "Clements, Weh seek GOP nod for Senate". The Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on June 2014.
  16. Nikolewski, Rob (1 March 2014). "Weh wins a close one as NM Republicans prepare for June primary". Capitol Report New Mexico. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  17. "Official Results Primary - June 3, 2014 Federal". New Mexico Secretary of State. 10 June 2014. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014.
  18. "Congratulations Allen Weh on Your New Mexico Primary Victory". National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Archived from the original on 29 August 2014.
  19. "NRA Endorses Allen Weh for U.S. Senate in New Mexico". National Rifle Association. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014.
  20. Fish, Sandra (3 November 2014). "Super PAC takes aim at Udall in final weekend before election". New Mexico Telegram. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014.
  21. "NRSC Moves Its Money to Six Senate Races". Electoral-Vote.com. 12 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014.
  22. Bryan, Susan Montoya (30 October 2014). "Udall, Weh square off in first and only debate". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014.
  23. Klarer, Kris (October 2014). "Weh, Udall face off in second and final debate". New Mexico News Port. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014.
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Party political offices
Preceded by
Steve Pearce		 Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from New Mexico
(Class 2)
2014		 Succeeded by
Mark Ronchetti
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