About a year ago, I profiled State Rep. Joseph Cervantes for the Las Cruces Sun-News as one of the rising stars in state politics.
Since then, the Las Cruces Democrat has considered but decided against running for Congress and attorney general. He has also jumped into, then back out of, the race for House majority leader before the vote.
Those decisions over the last year reveal what is perhaps the biggest criticism of Cervantes – that he’s afraid to take a risk and may miss his chance to become one of the state’s top leaders. This week marked the second time he has jumped in and out of the majority leader race. He’s talked about running for Congress for years but not done it.
Cervantes, 45, said he isn’t afraid to take a risk. He clearly wants to make the move to
“I didn’t feel the attorney general’s office was the best opportunity I would have to accomplish the things I want to accomplish in politics,” Cervantes said of his decision to not run this year. “I felt there were better opportunities in terms of health care, education, the environment and economic development.”
Cervantes said he believes recent scandals will occupy incoming Attorney General Gary King’s time.
“The attorney general’s office has an enormous task in terms of government corruption, and I hope that will be the primary focus of the next attorney general,” he said. “My interests are in a broader area right now than just government corruption.”
Cervantes reiterated comments he made earlier this week about his decision to withdraw from the majority leader race after Ken Martinez lost the speaker vote and agreed to be nominated for the No. 2 position. He said he stepped back to allow Ben Lujan and Martinez to serve in the top two leadership positions following “divisive campaigning” in their race, saying it was the best way to unify the Democratic caucus.
Still, he said, the power in the House should not be concentrated in
“I think the state would benefit from greater diversity,” he said. “We had the votes to do it and, at the same time, there was a clear desire in the caucus to try to unify ourselves.”
It was the second time Cervantes has deferred to
Then there’s the 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Steve Pearce. Cervantes opted against challenging Pearce this year, but said he is seriously considering a run against him in 2008.
“I think there are great opportunities to better represent this community in
Many high-ranking Democrats, including Sen. John Arthur Smith of Deming and King, have sought the seat in recent years and lost. But they had resource-draining primary battles and, Cervantes said, Pearce was stronger then.
“Pearce is burdened by his unequivocal and unwavering support for the war in
Cervantes isn’t the only one considering a run. Al Kissling, who lost to Pearce this year, says he’ll run again. State Rep.-elect Jeff Steinborn is another whose name is mentioned, but he won’t say whether he is considering running.
Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley is considering a run. McCamley has said he won’t run if Cervantes does, but has also been saying Cervantes must decide by April 1.
Cervantes said he’s focused on the upcoming legislative session, which starts Jan. 16 and ends March 17.
“As soon as I’m done with the session, we’re going to make an intelligent decision and determine whether we’re the right person to represent this community and the southern half of the state,” Cervantes said. “It will be a family decision. It will be a decision made by family and friends and trusted political friends.”