Cervantes, Lujan among politicos endorsing Obama

State Reps. Joseph Cervantes and Antonio Lujan of Las Cruces joined 14 other prominent New Mexico politicians in endorsing Barack Obama today.

The endorsements were announced in a news release and at a news conference outside the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.

“I share Obama’s passion and commitment for reform of government and I share his belief that we have to entirely change the way we think of government, both at a federal and state level, before we’re going to meet the challenges of our modern world and modern society,” Cervantes said in a phone interview. “Sen. Obama has demonstrated a willingness to challenge the status quo, which is something I share too.”

Co-chairs of Obama’s campaign in New Mexico are state Treasurer James B. Lewis, former U.S. Sen. Fred Harris, former state Rep. Patsy Trujillo and civil rights attorney John Pound, the campaign announced.

“I admire Barack Obama because he doesn’t just tell people what they want to hear but what they need to know, even when it is not politically popular,” Lewis said in the news release from the Obama campaign. “I’m supporting Barack Obama because he has a compelling vision to change the way Washington works so that it finally addresses the problems Americans face.”

Others endorsing Obama today were House Majority Leader Ken Martinez of Grants; House Majority Whip Sheryl Williams Stapleton of Albuquerque; state Reps. Antonio “Moe” Maestas of Albuquerque, Al Park of Albuquerque and Peter Wirth of Santa Fe; Albuquerque City Councilor Michael Cadigan; former Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca; former state Rep. Max Coll; former Gallup Mayor Robert Rosebrough; former Santa Fe County Commissioner Javier Gonzales; and former Sandoval County Commissioner Damon Ely.

“After Bill Richardson ended his bid for president I took a careful look at all of the candidates,” Trujillo said in the release. “But Barack Obama stands out because he has proven that he is the only candidate who can unify the country to bring change, and bring all Americans together regardless of race, party or creed.”

“Our economy is in peril and Barack Obama, months ago, laid out a plan to get the economy moving by helping the middle-class families that really need it, combating the mortgage crisis and reinstating faith in our government,” Wirth said in the release.

Hillary Clinton’s visible backers in New Mexico include Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez and Ed Romero, the former ambassador to Spain. John Edwards has the backing of former state Attorney General Patricia Madrid.

Richardson has not endorsed any candidate, but has hinted that he might before New Mexico’s Feb. 5 caucus.

Update, 3:30 p.m.

The Obama campaign announced today that it will begin airing two new, 30-second ads in New Mexico. One focuses on education, and the other promotes his message of change. Here they are: