Heath Haussamen on N.M. Politics begins its third year

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Tomorrow marks the start of Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics’ third year. This site had 88 unique visitors and 157 page views on its first day, March 20, 2006. Last month, the site had approximately 32,000 unique visitors and 65,000 page views. That wasn’t a typical month, as exposure on a couple of national sites increased traffic significantly, but this site is regularly drawing 800-1,000 unique visitors and 1,500-2,000 page views each weekday. As this site begins its third year, I want to thank you – the readers, advertisers, financial contributors and others – for making it possible. Continue Reading

Gros enters the race for Senate District 28

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Silver City resident Joseph Gros has entered the race for state senator in the 28th District. Gros, senior pastor at Calvary Chapel of Silver City, said in a news release that he is running to represent an agenda reflective of the values and issues of the people in Grant, Socorro and Catron counties. “Southern New Mexican values have been under attack in recent sessions,” the Republican said. “In the last session alone, legislators tried to pass a domestic-partnership bill that would cost the taxpayers and bring us closer to redefining marriage. That is the type of legislation that is not needed and I would fight against once elected.” Gros has been leading Calvary Chapel for 15 years. Continue Reading

Legislature, guv should follow Supreme Court’s lead

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For many in New Mexico’s legal community, there is the pre-Brennan era and the post-Brennan era. The pre-Brennan era ended on a fateful night in May 2004 when John Brennan, then the chief judge of the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque, was charged with drunken driving and cocaine possession after allegedly trying to evade a sobriety checkpoint. He later pleaded guilty to the charges. The event was a catalyst that triggered a new era in which the Supreme Court cracked down on misbehaving judges and provided confidential help for those who voluntarily sought treatment for substance abuse and other problems. In addition, the Legislature and governor doubled the funding for the Judicial Standards Commission, the state board charged with investigating allegations of judicial misconduct and making recommendations for discipline to the high court. As a result more than 10 judges, including four from Doña Ana County, have left the bench in recent years though resignation, retirement or removal following action by the commission. Continue Reading

Davis announces run for District 10 Senate seat

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Attorney Joel A. Davis has announced his candidacy for the District 10 seat in the state Senate. Calling himself a “young Democratic gun” in a news release, Davis said he’s running a campaign on change and will bring a fresh approach and energized leadership to the Senate. “I am the democratic candidate that will represent my bi-city district with equal representation and strong leadership,” he said of the district that is split between Bernalillo and Sandoval counties. “My primary motivation for seeking office is to follow the call of my district and my heart to make a positive difference in New Mexicans’ lives,” Davis said. “I will be a positive voice for change.” Davis is a local attorney who owns and practices in a general-practice law firm located in downtown Albuquerque. Continue Reading

Goddard announces run for county clerk

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Former Doña Ana County Republican Party Chair Sid Goddard filed on Tuesday to run for county clerk. He’s the only Republican in the race. Four Democrats, including incumbent Rita Torres, will battle in June for the right to face Goddard in November. Goddard, whose suggestion led to the 2006 election reform task force created by the county commission, said that group, of which he was a part, did good work and has helped improve elections, but many issues remain unaddressed. For example, he said, there are 20,000 or more people on the county’s list of registered voters who, for various reasons, should not be. Continue Reading

Rush announces candidacy for state House seat

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Well-known Roosevelt county resident and fourth-generation New Mexican Matt Rush has declared his candidacy for state House of Representatives District 63. “There is no story I enjoy to tell more than the story of New Mexico agriculture,” Rush, a Republican, said in a news release. “After a lifetime of service and leadership within the American farm and ranch community, the time is now right for me to serve the people of New Mexico in Santa Fe.” Rush’s family homesteaded in Roosevelt County during the early 1900s, and Rush continues the farming and ranching tradition of his great-great-grandfather. To support his farming and ranching operation, Rush travels the country as a professional speaker, conducting leadership and motivational seminars. He has represented American agriculture in Germany as part of an agricultural exchange program, currently serves on the Berea Children’s Home Board of Directors, the Washington, D.C.-based Foundation for Agriculture Board of Directors and is president of the Roosevelt County Farm & Livestock Bureau. Continue Reading

Blair announces candidacy for ABQ-area Senate seat

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John Blair, Democratic candidate for state Senate District 15, yesterday submitted more than 2,000 signatures with his declaration of candidacy at the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office. “Voters are hungry for new leadership and fresh ideas in Santa Fe,” Blair said in a news release announcing his candidacy. “The overwhelming support we received in the district shows that Democrats are behind us and will give us the edge in June.” Blair was only required to submit 69 signatures, but said he has walked more than 125 miles to talk with voters about their concerns and his goals and gather signatures. His campaign has knocked on more than 3,200 doors in the district, with Blair personally knocking on more than 2,200, the release states. Blair estimates that he’ll need 2,500 votes to win the primary, and he’s excited by the early response to his “message of change.” “It has been hard work, but time very well spent getting to know everyone I can in the district,” he said. Continue Reading

Candidates galore: Lots of contested races in 2008

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A 2008 election season that was already memorable in New Mexico because of the number of open seats in Congress became even more interesting in Doña Ana County today when candidate filing day revealed a number of contested primary and general-election races. Perhaps most interesting locally is the race for Doña Ana County clerk. Rita Torres is seeking re-election, but she’s being challenged in the Democratic primary by two of her employees – Martha Lucero and Elections Supervisor Lynn Ellins. Joining those three in the Democratic primary is former Mesilla town Clerk Yolanda Lucero. And on the Republican side, former county Republican Party Chair Sid Goddard filed today to run for clerk. Continue Reading

Foley announces state House re-election campaign

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House Minority Whip Dan Foley, R-Roswell, announced today that he’s seeking re-election this year. The District 57 representative has served five terms in the Legislature, and wants a sixth. “I want to continue the success we’ve had in the first 10 years,” Foley said in an interview. “Clearly, we’ve built a foundation from which to make New Mexico, specifically District 57, better.” Foley cited among his successes his tough stances on crime and border security. He said in his first year in the Legislature he voted for Megan’s Law, and this year his was one of the key votes that helped pass domestic violence legislation being pushed by the governor. Continue Reading

County elections supervisor files to run for clerk

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Citing concerns about the health of Doña Ana County Clerk Rita Torres, the county’s elections supervisor, Lynn Ellins, filed today to run against her in the Democratic primary for clerk. “This was not a decision easily arrived at, as it puts me in opposition to County Clerk Rita Torres, for whom I have the utmost respect and affection,” Ellins said in a news release. “However, many of us are concerned about her health and stamina and her ability to successfully complete what promises to be a long general election campaign.” Ellins said he decided to run “at the urging of many Doña Ana County citizens.” Ellins, an attorney, is a former committee counsel to the New York State Legislature, a former Regent for the University of Colorado and a former Deputy Secretary of State in Colorado. Torres hired him in 2006 to clean up elections in the county, which had a history of problems but has had smooth elections since he took over. Democrats and Republicans alike have praised the elections staff, under Ellins’ leadership, for professionalism and competence. Continue Reading

Marquardt changes mind, drops congressional bid

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A day after I reported that Terry Marquardt was staying in the race to replace Steve Pearce in Congress, Marquardt announced today that he’s changed his mind and is dropping out. “Our goal to elect a proven conservative with a proven record of results as our next congressman did merit our efforts,” the Republican Marquardt said today in an e-mail to supporters. “However, I underestimated the disadvantages and difficulties that proved to be insurmountable with a late start. For this reason, after careful consideration and consultation with trusted advisers, I have decided to withdraw from the race for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.” Marquardt thanked his family and supporters, saying they “refused to rest easy” and “used personal involvement to achieve the greater good.” “The challenge of a statesman is to have the vision to dream of a better, safer world, and the courage, persistence and the patience to turn that dream into reality,” Marquardt wrote. “I still have that vision, and I will continue to work with you to turn that dream into reality.” After receiving two votes, or about 1 percent, at Saturday’s preprimary nominating convention, Marquardt said in an e-mail to me over the weekend that he had already gathered more than enough signatures to stay in the race. Continue Reading

Second PRC candidate qualifies for public financing

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A Republican Public Regulation Commission candidate says he has become the second to qualify for public financing this year. Alan Reed, who is challenging PRC Chairman Jason Marks this year for the Albuquerque-area seat, confirmed in an e-mail that he has reached the threshold of raising at least 230 $5 contributions. “We will be the first Republican campaign (of this election season) to meet this requirement,” Reed said in an e-mail, adding that several GOP organizations helped him qualify. Marks recently announced that he was the first candidate to qualify for public financing by filing notice of more than 400 $5 contributions. The public-financing system was first tested in PRC races in 2006, with the three candidates who took advantage of the system expressing some concerns about the timeliness of payments and reporting deadlines. Continue Reading

Fischmann announces candidacy for state Senate

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Democrat Steve Fischmann, 54, of Las Cruces, has announced his candidacy for state Senate in District 37, the seat currently held by Republican Leonard Lee Rawson. His main goal is to return government to serving the needs of everyday citizens first, he said in a news release announcing his candidacy. “Whether the issue is good jobs, health care, education or the environment, the needs of average people have too often taken a back seat to partisan bickering and powerful lobbies,” Fischmann said. “The opportunities for our region have never been greater, and it’s time to move forward by working together.” Fischmann has been active as an advocate on a variety of issues in Southern New Mexico. He is a founding member of the Quality Growth Alliance and chair of the Southwest Energy Alliance, which has been instrumental in promoting clean and affordable energy initiatives in Southern New Mexico. Continue Reading

Rep. Gutierrez announces re-election bid

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State Rep. Joni Marie Gutierrez, D-Mesilla, has announced that she will seek a third term as the representative of District 33. Gutierrez said in a news release that she wants to continue her service to improve the quality of life for constituents in communities stretching from Fairacres through west Las Cruces to Mesilla and San Miguel. “I have been an advocate for families facing mental health challenges, for conservation of our environment and for consumer protection,” she said. Gutierrez said she has targeted funds toward eliminating the city sewage treatment plant’s smell that has branded Las Cruces as “stink town.” “It is my goal to keep after that problem until it is totally solved,” she said. “Through my neighborhood meetings and other contacts with constituents, I know their priorities and I share their goals of keeping their communities unique while enhancing their opportunities.” Gutierrez successfully introduced legislation to enhance recreational opportunities by reducing liability obstacles so multi-use trails could be established on major irrigation rights-of-way. Continue Reading