What’s up with Republican Greg Zanetti’s gubernatorial campaign? I’ve been asked the question by a few people this week, because, after getting off to a quick start with travels around the state several weeks ago, Zanetti has been pretty quiet lately.
He was updating his YouTube page regularly until June 12, when all activity stopped. His Facebook page lists his last public event as being held on May 25. His blog had not been updated since June 17 until he wrote this on July 10:
“I apologize for the long missive hiatus…a family vacation, coupled with some summer family-time and political obligations, filled the past few weeks,” he wrote in a posting.
OK, so Zanetti is back, right? You wouldn’t know it from the responses I’ve been getting.
I first e-mailed campaign staffer Greg Graves on Tuesday to inquire about the status of the campaign. No response.
I sent a second e-mail Wednesday. No response.
Thursday morning, I called Graves and left a message on his cell phone. No response.
So Thursday afternoon, I called Zanetti at his home in Albuquerque and left a message. No response.
This morning, I sent Graves another e-mail. Still no response.
What gives?
Zanetti, an Albuquerque financial adviser and Army National Guard brigadier general, is, thus far, the only declared Republican gubernatorial candidate, though Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez is entering the race later today. Former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh and state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque, have formed exploratory committees.
Former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson and Doug Turner, CEO of the Albuquerque-based public relations firm DW Turner, say they are seriously considering running for the GOP nomination.
On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is the only declared candidate, though Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez says he’s formed an exploratory committee.