Allen Weh

Allen Edward Weh (born November 17, 1942, Salem, Oregon ) 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, 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, 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.

Firing of US Attorneys
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."

2010 Republican Primaries
On June 1, 2010, Weh lost to his main opponent in the primaries, Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez. 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". Martinez went on to win the general election.