For about an hour beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, the political powers-that-be in
Jeff Armijo had decided to play hardball and just announced he would not withdraw from the state auditor’s race. The secretary of state’s office had told both me and the Albuquerque Journal earlier in the day that
Then the Democratic Party chair and governor put out statements taking the position that no such letter was required. They said
I didn’t know it at the time, but the fax wasn’t coming from
Democrats from around the state who I spoke with balked. Of course it has to be a signed, notarized letter, they said. It’s always been that way. What were their party chair and the governor thinking?
Then the party went silent. Here’s why:
While that was happening, no one knew what to say or do. Though many Democrats I spoke with said they believe the argument made by the governor and party chair is bogus, few would back
And the truth is that they want him off the ballot. If he remains on the ballot, they fear, many Democrats won’t vote the straight party ticket, and other Democrats will lose votes.
That was the dilemma. Many wanted
By 6 p.m., the secretary of state said publicly she had accepted the statement and removed
Apparently, state law was changed at some point, unbeknownst to workers in the state elections bureau and most of the Democrats I spoke with, so it no longer requires candidates to inform the secretary of state’s office they are withdrawing. State law is now silent on the issue.
His argument might be that, even though state law doesn’t require a signed, notarized letter, requiring such a document remained the practice of the secretary of state’s office until Tuesday.
Instead of suing,
If the statement
“After 17 years in the military the most important lesson I learned was to never quit.
“It’s time for a young candidate, untainted by special interests, to do the right thing, and if that makes a select few politicians nervous, so be it. Ordinary people across
“I am putting my adversaries on notice. These accusations are false and I have done nothing wrong. I am a victim of a horrible political scheme and I have faith in our political and legal systems that will expose the individuals in this scheme. So if they want to continue this charade, go ahead, and the people will expose you.
“The hundreds of phone calls and emails requesting that I stay in the race and the continued support of my family, friends and New Mexicans is greatly appreciated.
“Mil gracias.”