Ex Police Chief Now in Webber Camp

Shilling

Democratic candidate for governor has a former high ranking member of Gov. Susana Martinez's administration among his supporters.

Robert Shilling, a former state police chief who was appointed by Martinez, showed up as a contributor of $100 in Webber's campaign finance report Monday.

In an interview Monday, Shilling, who described himself as a “hard-core conservative,” confirmed that he's supporting the Democrat. He said he recently attended a Webber fundraiser.

Shilling insisted there was no animosity between him and Martinez. That's also what he said when  he resigned last July. At that time, both he and the governor said he wasn't forced out and a spokesman for Martinez at the time called Shilling “a tremendous public servant.”

But Shilling said Monday he’s supporting Webber over Martinez because “things are dismal in the state.” Martinez, he said, “lacks the business background” he believes is necessary for a governor. He said he likes Webber’s background and “entrepreneurial spirit.”

Shilling was appointed by Public Safety Secretary Gordon Eden in early 2011 at the outset of the Martinez administration. During his 20-plus year career with New Mexico State Police, he worked  in Deming , Raton and several other areas of the state.

A native of southwestern New Mexico, Shilling worked as budget director of law enforcement operations and commander of investigations before becoming chief.