East: Ready to bring conservative values back to Congress

Steve Terrell | The New Mexican

5/19/2008 - 5/9/08

When Rio Rancho businessman Dan East walked into a recent forum for the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the conservative Republican wasn't really expecting to win much support from the union members present.

While his opponent, lawyer Marco Gonzales, stressed that, unlike many Republicans, he's not hostile to labor unions and would be a friend to working people, East told the audience that he's a conservative and probably disagrees with most union positions. Asked whether he was seeking AFSCME's endorsement, he replied, "I'm here to introduce myself."

He got a polite reception from AFSCME, though some who asked him questions indicated they weren't with East in his support for school vouchers, his support for the free-trade agreement with the nation of Colombia and his statement, "I do not believe that health care, health insurance is a right. ... I do not believe it's the federal government's responsibility to provide health care to the masses."

"That's just how I am," East said in a recent phone interview. "I'm able to stand up in front of a group of people and tell them what I believe. I'm not just going to tell them what I think they want to hear. I'm out to represent everybody. I might not agree, but I'm willing to listen and discuss issues with anyone."

East knows he has an uphill battle in an overwhelmingly Democratic district. And even within the GOP primary, Gonzales, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, is better known. At the Republican pre-primary convention, Gonzales got more than twice the delegate support than East.

But even so, he claims he has a good chance.

"Democrats and Republicans are tired of politics as usual," he said. "People are looking for someone fresh. I'm as fed up as the next person with all the spending and partisan bickering."

Congress, he said, needs to get back to conservative values and bring in more people who know what it's like to run a business and meet a payroll.

East was born in Las Cruces, but spent most of his childhood in Colorado, he said. After graduating from college, he returned to New Mexico — first Albuquerque, then Rio Rancho, where he's lived for the past five years.

In 1999, he started Cone Construction, which specializes in water and wastewater treatment facilities. The firm has more than 20 employees.

The lion's share of the company's work, East said, has been in the 3rd Congressional District. "I think I've worked in every major community here except Clayton," he said.

In Santa Fe, according to Cone's Web site, one of the company's projects is Las Campanas Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion.

The company also has done work in Arizona.

"I understand the demographics and economics of this district," he said. "This district truly is a phenomenal place. I've met all sorts of fantastic people regardless of political flavor."

One area in which he's beating Gonzales is fundraising. According to his latest campaign finance report, as of March 31, East had raised more than $34,000. Gonzales, according to the campaign watchdog Web site OpenSecrets.org, had raised about $19,000. His largest contribution is from the political action committee of the National Utility Contractors Association — for which East serves as senior vice president. The PAC gave $5,000 to East's campaign in March.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.



Age: 50

Education: Earned a bachelor's degree in construction management from Colorado State University, 1988.

Career experience: Owns Cone Construction Corp. Inc., a general contracting firm in Albuquerque.

Political experience: First time to run for political office. Held several offices in the National Utility Contractors Association. Currently serving as the senior vice president of that organization.

Personal: Married. He and his wife have seven children between them, ranging in ages from 13 to 25. One grandchild.

Arrests: None

Web Site: www.daneast4congress.com