Colón is considering running for lieutenant governor

By |

Brian Colón, chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, is seriously considering running for lieutenant governor next year and plans to make a decision in “less than two weeks,” according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Colón did not respond to a request for comment. He would be joining a crowded field of Democrats seeking the party’s No. 2 spot on the ballot in 2010. Already in the race are Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano and state Sens. Continue Reading

Controversial developer Philippou’s problems grow

By |

The problems for controversial Las Cruces developer Philip Philippou are growing. A new lawsuit accuses Philippou of fraud in promising a company he hired to help build a golf course in Las Cruces that water would be available for construction, when in fact it was not, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported today. You can read the lawsuit, filed by Golf Works, Inc., by clicking here. In addition, the Albuquerque Journal published an article about the City of Las Cruces taking steps to force Philippou to pay outstanding utility bills and deal with an exposed sewer line in one of his developments. The new issues come weeks after the city filed a lawsuit alleging that Philippou has failed to comply with building requirements in several of his subdivisions and asking a district court judge to force Philippou to complete the work he started. Continue Reading

Arnold-Jones says she is running for governor

By |

In a letter to supporters, Arnold-Jones talks about increasing transparency, says New Mexico ‘can be so much more’ State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque, said today that she is running for governor next year and plans a formal announcement sometime in August. “I am running,” Arnold-Jones said today in an interview. She made her candidacy official in a letter sent to supporters on Sunday. “If you have not heard, I am running for Governor of the State of New Mexico,” Arnold-Jones wrote. “Why? Continue Reading

We must act as a community against corruption

By |

By Gary K. King We have come to the stage where my office’s investigations have resulted in indictments and prosecutions. One of the challenges of the attorney general’s job is to properly manage requests for information from the general public, legislators and the media about ongoing investigations. I have stated this many times but it is always good to repeat: For ethical and legal reasons, my office will have little to say about our investigations until and unless such information becomes public record, as in the filing of an indictment. This policy is utilized for everyone’s protection and the preservation of the legal process. When it is proper to do so, I will always provide updates. Continue Reading

Turner wins this site’s non-scientific poll

By |

Doug Turner won the last non-scientific poll on this site, which asked, if Heather Wilson doesn’t run, who will win the GOP gubernatorial primary next year. Of 2,660 votes cast, 925, or 35 percent, went to Turner; 797, or 30 percent, went to Allen Weh; 723, or 27 percent, went to Susana Martinez; and 215, or 8 percent, went to Janice Arnold-Jones. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Most would call me ultra-conservative

By |

This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you? By Shan Nichols Labels mean nothing to me when it comes to political descriptions. I describe myself, simply, as an American. America is under the most serious and vicious attack I have witnessed in my lifetime. This attack is not coming from another country but from within. Continue Reading

Vote for the person and the policy, not the party

By |

This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you?By Bob Coppedge I consider myself an independent, and that means to support and vote for the person and the policy, not the party. Over the years I have registered as a Democrat and as a Republican, and will register in a party when there is a candidate to support in the primary. No party has a monopoly on wisdom, and to vote the party line is to shortchange the mind all should cultivate. Frustrating indeed is the negative atmosphere that surrounds many campaigns. Respect is too often a rare commodity, especially respecting the right of others to have a different opinion, but it’s hard to respect someone who looks down on you for your different opinion. Continue Reading

A Hispanic Republican willing to work for change

By |

This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you? By Estevan Lujan You know you are a die-hard political junkie when you decide to voluntarily write an essay about your political affiliation. Ever since I was a kid, I have always enjoyed watching and participating in our nation’s democracy. I know that we are incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to put our elected leaders on spot every two, four or six years so we can make the decision whether or not they should have (or continue to have) the privilege of representing us as a people. The political climate in New Mexico is truly a sight to behold, especially for those who are not particularly familiar with how things work here. Continue Reading

Progressive in the historical sense of the word

By |

This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you? By Stephen Jones Let me respond to your call for political (or is it philosophical) self-identification with the term progressive. I am a progressive. I identify most closely with the ideal of progressivism and notnecessarily with a political party, though in recent years I have voted, not surprisingly, increasingly Democratic. By progressivism I mean to say I believe in a democratic worldview that champions direct participation and action in citizenship. Continue Reading

I’m independent because I am pro-people

By |

This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you? By Rebecca Powell My standard for affiliation with any label is, how does this help me live in the world? Traditional labels (conservative/liberal, Republican/Democrat) have not helped me clarify my own stances, nor have they helped me have meaningful conversations about what it means to live in a democratic nation, to participate in government. In fact, most often accepting a traditional designation seems to close conversation. People, myself included, assume they know what a conservative or liberal thinks and feels about most topics. Continue Reading

First and foremost I am an American

By |

This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you? By W. Ron Camuñez I personally don’t like labels. However, your question is about how I define myself. Let me state from the beginning that first and foremost I am an American. When we try to place ourselves in a box of labels, we diminish who we are. Continue Reading

Both an idealist and a Democrat

By |

This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you? By Ellen Wedum I confess I used to be rather apathetic about politics. I only voted in presidential elections and was barely aware of who my congressional representative was, let alone my state representative. As a graduate student at the University of Oregon I did campaign for Eugene McCarthy in the Oregon presidential primary in 1968 — which he won! He had a rally at UO, and I carried a sign that read “Welcome to Eugene, McCarthy!” Then in 1980 I campaigned for John Anderson, and was appalled when Reagan won (especially when he went on to triple our national debt). Continue Reading

Don’t surrender your principles: Be independent

By |

This is one of several guest columns that were submitted in response to this question: How do you identify yourself politically (liberal, conservative, Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, independent, something else or none of the above) and what does that mean to you? By C.J. McElhinney I identify myself politically as independent. Should not every American, regardless of political affiliation, be an independent voter? I am independent because it gives me the freedom to exercise my political choice as I see fit and not according to the whim or pressure of a political party. When I cast my vote, I base it not on the letter next to the candidate’s name, but on what kind of person they are, what they have accomplished in their life, what ideas they have and how well they will lead. Continue Reading

Kokesh’s candidacy is interesting, but can he win?

By |

‘Revolutionary patriot’ takes to the campaign trail, but UNM professor says Ron Paul’s support won’t be enough to defeat Rep. Ben Ray Luján in 2010 Ron Paul and his army of supporters want Republican Adam Kokesh to be the next congressman from Northern New Mexico. Kokesh has been active for years in Paul’s Campaign for Liberty movement. Support from Paul and his group have already helped the Iraq war veteran turned antiwar activist raise about $55,000 — most of it from out-of-state donors — for his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. next year. But does that level of energy and attention from outside New Mexico mean a libertarian-leaning Republican has a shot at unseating an incumbent Hispanic Democrat in New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, a Democratic stronghold? Not likely, says Gabriel Sanchez, a political science professor at the University of New Mexico. Continue Reading

Guv concerned about cost of health-care reform

By |

Dominating a weekend meeting of the National Governors Association was discussion about the health-care reform proposal being debated by Congress, with governors including New Mexico’s Bill Richardson expressing concern about unfunded mandates, according to the New York Times. The governors expressed fear “that Washington was about to hand them expensive new Medicaid obligations without money to pay for them,” the Times article states. “I’m personally very concerned about the cost issue, particularly the $1 trillion figures being batted around,” Richardson was quoted as saying. Continue Reading