Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.net
Gov. Bill Richardson (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Despite a report to the contrary, Gov. Bill Richardson is not interested in becoming the head of the Motion Picture Association of America, his communications director says.
“He has no interest in becoming a Washington lobbyist. He plans on staying in Santa Fe,” Richardson Communications Director Alarie Ray-Garcia wrote in an e-mail.
That matches what Richardson’s office said in March – that after his term ends, he plans to “live in Santa Fe and drive around the country visiting Major League ballparks.”
So why do reports persist that Richardson is in the mix for the job? As I wrote earlier today, The New York Times reported over the weekend that Richardson is a candidate for the job, which pays $1.2 million a year.
The report cited “a headhunter with knowledge of the search, but who asked for anonymity because the search is private.”
So, assuming that Richardson really isn’t interested in the job – and why would he publicly say he’s not if he is? – what does this mean? Are there people who want Richardson for the job, and they’re floating his name to try to tempt him?
That might make sense. Richardson has been good to the film industry as governor, signing into law incentives that have brought a number of movies and TV shows to New Mexico.
I e-mailed Richardson’s communications director to ask if Richardson is being recruited for the job and to ask why these reports keep coming. I’ll let you know if I get a response.
Update, 12 p.m.
“I’m not quite sure why this rumor continues,” Richardson Communications Director Alarie Ray-Garcia said.