Gov. Bill Richardson is back in New Mexico today after a trip to Oklahoma and Texas on Sunday and Monday.
While in Oklahoma, he named Jim East, an experienced political operative, businessman and former journalist as his campaign’s statewide director.
“I am supporting Bill Richardson for president because he has the proven record of balancing budgets, improving schools, and addressing our energy concerns here at home,” East said in a news release. “I am excited about joining the Richardson team and I look forward to working with the voters of Oklahoma to build support for Richardson across the state.”
While in Texas, Richardson was honored in a resolution by the Texas Legislature for his years of public service.
“Governor Richardson is commendable for his public service to his state and to the entire nation,” Texas Rep. Gonzalez Toureilles said in a news release. “We are proud to call him our neighbor and to welcome him to Texas.”
“I am deeply humbled to be honored by such a large and diverse body of members,” Richardson said. “New Mexico shares a great deal with out Texas neighbors in history, culture and our Western values and traditions. I applaud the Texas Legislature for the work they do on behalf of their citizens, and I thank them for this honor, which I will always treasure.”
Richardson also said, during his visit to Austin, that he would meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as part of his Latin American plan, and would also meet with the leaders of Iran and Syria. He also said he opposes a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Richardson attended fundraisers in Oklahoma City, Abilene, Dallas and San Antonio. His campaign’s first federal reporting deadline is only about two weeks away, and we’ll have a good idea then of how he’s measuring up.
Richardson had a busy two days. He says he didn’t call the Legislature back the moment it adjourned on Saturday so that lawmakers could have some time to rest. But the time he gave them also happened to coincide perfectly with his previously planned presidential campaign trip.
