The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Tuesday was candidate filing day for legislative and other state, judicial and county races. Here’s a roundup of some interesting developments:
House Speaker Ben Luján’s primary challenger is a nephew of state Rep. Jim Trujillo. And Rep. Andy Nuñez faces two primary challengers, including former Doña Ana County Commissioner Gilbert Apodaca (yes, that Gilbert Apodaca).
Those are among the more interesting situations that developed on Tuesday when candidates for legislative and other state, county and judicial races filed to run.
Luján, D-Nambé, is facing Carl Trujillo of Santa Fe, who was quoted by The Santa Fe New Mexican as saying he’s “tired of the same old politics” and “ready for change.” His uncle, an ally of the speaker, was quoted as saying he will work to re-elect Luján.
“I talked to him until I was blue in the face, telling him all the reasons he shouldn’t run,” Santa Fe’s Rep. Trujillo was quoted by The New Mexican as saying to his nephew.
Nuñez, D-Hatch and the Agriculture and Water Resources Committee chairman, drew two primary challengers – Apodaca and Nicole Parra-Perez. Republican Debra White also filed for the seat.
Apodaca, one of the more controversial politicians in recent memory in Doña Ana County – who was investigated for allegations of bribery years ago but never charged – was quoted by the Las Cruces Sun-News as saying that he is “simply answering what his heart, friends and constituents are asking him to do – get back to public service.”
Other legislative filings
Some other interesting legislative candidate filings:
• State Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, is being challenged in November by Brigette Russell, a former columnist for the New Mexico Independent.
• Rep. Richard Vigil, D-Las Vegas, who has faced some controversy during his tenure, is facing three primary opponents.
• Rep. Sandra Jeff, D-Crownpoint, is facing two primary challengers, including former Rep. Irvin Harrison.
• Rep. Ben Rodefer, D-Corrales, drew three Republican opponents.
• Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, drew two Republican opponents.
• Rep. Dianne Hamilton, R-Silver City, is facing Trent Lee Petty in a primary.
• Rep. Eleanor Chavez, D-Albuquerque, is facing Matthew Archuleta in a primary.
• Rep. Kathy McCoy, R-Cedar Crest, didn’t file for re-election, but two other Republicans filed for her seat.
PRC races
And on the Public Regulation Commission front:
• As expected, Land Commissioner Pat Lyons, who is term-limited from seeking re-election, filed to run for the District 2 seat on the PRC. So did Republican Robert Corn and Democrat Stephanie DuBois.
• Former Dona Ana County Commissioner and congressional candidate Bill McCamley, a Democrat, filed to run for the District 5 seat on the PRC. So did one other Democrat – Ronald Rees, who was later disqualified from appearing on the ballot.
Apodaca had previously said he was “likely” to run for this PRC seat this year. Guess he changed his mind.
Six (yes, six) Republicans filed for the PRC’s District 5 seat – former PRC member Tony Schaefer, Otero County Commissioner Doug Moore, Jamie Estrada of Las Cruces, former Dona Ana County Commissioner Kent Evans, Ben Hall of Ruidoso and Robert Maez of Las Cruces.
• Embattled District 4 PRC Member Carol Sloan drew four Democratic primary challengers. One Republican also filed for the seat.
• Nobody filed to run for two of five seats on the Public Education Commission that are up for grabs this year.
Links
You can find the list of candidates who filed for multi-county races by clicking here. The list of candidates who filed for Doña Ana County races is here. Bernalillo County races are here. Santa Fe County races are here.
Got links to lists of candidates in other counties? Submit them as comments below.
As I’ve disclosed in the past, I’m friends with McCamley. Click here to read more about that. A prior version of this posting incorrectly identified McCoy as a Democrat.