Gilbert Apodaca
Gilbert Apodaca, one of Doña Ana County’s most notorious politicians in recent times, says he’s “likely” to run for a seat on the state’s Public Regulation Commission next year.
“That’s correct,” the Democrat and former Doña Ana County commissioner said when asked if he is considering running. He added that he hasn’t yet made a final decision.
“It’s likely to happen,” he said.
When I was a reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News, I wrote this in a 2004 article taking a look back at Apodaca’s tenure on the county commission:
“Love him or hate him, most who have worked with Apodaca agree on one thing: He knows how to get what he wants,” the article states. “The word notorious doesn’t begin to describe the powerful, controversial man who has dominated county government for most of his eight years on the commission.”
Apodaca, as I wrote at the time, “has been investigated for allegations of bribery, abuse of public funds and conducting the public’s business in secret. He has never been charged.
“Some say that proves he is clean. Others say he’s smart.”
Here’s a bit more:
“Apodaca… portrays himself as a country boy from Garfield who tries to do the right thing and lives a simple life. He speaks slowly and deliberately.
“If you’re not paying close attention, his speech perpetuates the homey persona.
“But behind the simplicity is a genius some respect and others fear. His knowledge about public policy issues is extensive. He is a skilled debater. He has an uncanny ability to know when to give in to other commissioners on matters that aren’t important to him, as a way to earn favor when he needs it.
“And he has a temper, though it’s rarely seen publicly. Many who have worked with him say that, during closed sessions or private meetings, he is often a bully. Occasionally, that nastiness has boiled over during public meetings.
“He gets what he wants, though at times he has to burn allies along the way.”
I’ll add this: Apodaca is so controversial that, when Gov. Bill Richardson appointed him to the New Mexico Border Authority in 2005, many lawmakers from Doña Ana County – most of them members of his own party — lobbied heavily against Apodaca’s selection. Apodaca ended up withdrawing his name from consideration, but said opposition from lawmakers had nothing to do with his decision.
If Apodaca, an insurance agent, enters the PRC race, he’ll be running in the primary against the Democrat who replaced him on the county commission at the start of 2005, Bill McCamley. McCamley is also no longer a county commissioner, having opted to run for Congress in 2008 instead of seeking re-election.
On the Republican side, another former Doña Ana County commissioner, Kent Evans, has declared his candidacy for the PRC seat, which is being vacated by Democrat Sandy Jones.
This is going to make things interesting…
As I’ve disclosed in the past, I’m friends with McCamley. Click here to read more about that.