Allen Weh
Encyclopedia
Allen Edward Weh was a Republican candidate for Governor of New Mexico in the 2010 election
. He is the president and CEO of CSI Aviation Services, Inc., an international air charter and leasing services company he founded in 1979. He is a retired US Marine Corps Reserve Colonel
, and he served as chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party
from 2004 to 2009.
Weh graduated with a bachelor of science
from the University of New Mexico
in 1966 and received his Master's degree
from there in 1973. Weh began his military service as an enlisted Marine before being selected for Officer Candidates School
. He served two tours in Vietnam and with the British Royal Marines in Malaysia. Weh was recalled for active duty three times before retirement: for the Persian Gulf War
, for the U.S. expedition into Somalia, and to serve as chief of staff for Marine Forces Pacific, the largest field command in the Marine Corps. After retiring, Weh was again called back to duty in 2003 and given a key leadership role in the creation and organization of the new Iraqi Army. For his service, Weh received a Silver Star
, the Legion of Merit
, a Bronze Star with V device
, a Purple Heart
with two gold stars, the Meritorious Service medal
with gold star, and five Air Medal
s.
In 1979, Weh and his wife, Rebecca Roberton Weh, launched CSI Aviation, Inc., a worldwide company that charters flights for private, commercial and government uses. In the years since, CSI has grown into a multi-million dollar company, providing air service to athletic teams and the Department of Defense
, as well as leasing planes.
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."
. At 89% of the precincts reported, and 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 to come in last". 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".
New Mexico gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 New Mexico gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Democratic Governor Bill Richardson was term-limited and unable to seek re-election....
. He is the president and CEO of CSI Aviation Services, Inc., an international air charter and leasing services company he founded in 1979. He is a retired US Marine Corps Reserve Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
, and he served as chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party
Republican Party of New Mexico
The Republican Party of New Mexico is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in New Mexico, headquartered in Albuquerque. The party is led by Chairman Monty Newman....
from 2004 to 2009.
Weh graduated with a bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
in 1966 and received his Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from there in 1973. Weh began his military service as an enlisted Marine before being selected for Officer Candidates School
Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps)
The United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School is the entry-level training for Marine officers, equivalent to recruit training for enlisted Marines. Located at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the school trains, screens, and evaluates potential Marine Corps officers...
. He served two tours in Vietnam and with the British Royal Marines in Malaysia. Weh was recalled for active duty three times before retirement: for the Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, for the U.S. expedition into Somalia, and to serve as chief of staff for Marine Forces Pacific, the largest field command in the Marine Corps. After retiring, Weh was again called back to duty in 2003 and given a key leadership role in the creation and organization of the new Iraqi Army. For his service, Weh received a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, a Bronze Star with V device
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
, a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
with two gold stars, the Meritorious Service medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with gold star, and five Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s.
In 1979, Weh and his wife, Rebecca Roberton Weh, launched CSI Aviation, Inc., a worldwide company that charters flights for private, commercial and government uses. In the years since, CSI has grown into a multi-million dollar company, providing air service to athletic teams and the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, as well as leasing planes.
Firing of US Attorneys
Weh complained in 2005 about then-U.S. Attorney David IglesiasDavid Iglesias (attorney)
David Claudio Iglesias is an American attorney from Albuquerque, New Mexico.He was appointed by President George W. Bush as the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico in August 2001 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in October 2001. He served for 6 years. He was one of eight U.S...
to a White House aide for Karl Rove
Karl Rove
Karl Christian Rove was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to former President George W. Bush until Rove's resignation on August 31, 2007. He has headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives...
, 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."
2010 Republican Primaries
On June 1, 2010, Weh lost to his main opponent in the primaries, District Attorney Susana MartinezSusana Martinez
Susana Martinez is the 31st and current governor of New Mexico.A Republican, Martinez is the first female governor of New Mexico, as well as the first female Hispanic governor in the United States. She was formerly the district attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of the U.S. state of New Mexico...
. At 89% of the precincts reported, and 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 to come in last". 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".