Remembering Ben Altamirano

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Because I was on vacation when he died, I was unable to devote the attention I would have liked to give to the Dec. 27 passing of former Senate President Ben Altamirano. But I can tell you this: Altamirano was well-respected by his peers and others. He was a devoted public servant whose last great accomplishment was the passage of the minimum wage increase that took effect Tuesday, just days after his death. Altamirano was 77 and the longest-serving member of the Legislature, having been in office since 1971. Continue Reading

Greer announces run for Pearce’s House seat

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Sierra County Republican Party Chair C. Earl Greer formally announced today that he will run for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by Steve Pearce. Greer joins four Republicans who have announced candidacies for the seat. At least four other Republicans are considering running. In a news release, Greer said he is “forging a new direction” with a campaign he calls “Grassroots for Greer.” The release said the campaign will focus on a “person-to-person approach” that involves one-on-one meetings with voters to discuss their concerns. Greer is a fifth-generation resident of Sierra County, is half Hispanic and is fluent in Spanish. Continue Reading

Charges against Foley won’t be re-filed

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I’ve speculated for months that the criminal case against House Minority Whip Dan Foley had some major holes and might not go forward. Now, a special prosecutor assigned to consider the case has decided there are no charges to be filed. “I’ve basically found that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute on those charges and that case law, in other words appellate decisions, are totally against us here in New Mexico,” former district court Judge Ralph W. Gallini told the Roswell Daily Record last week. That effectively closes the book on the case. Foley was charged in June with disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and resisting arrest – all misdemeanors – stemming from a fight between two teens at a basketball tournament in Roswell. Continue Reading

As he falls in polls, guv says he will ‘shock the world’

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As Bill Richardson’s support in polls in Iowa and New Hampshire continues to drop, the governor says he will “shock the world” when Democrats in Iowa caucus on Thursday. At the same time, Richardson also appears to be backing away from previous statements that he has to finish third or better there to have a shot at the nomination. Richardson has said throughout the campaign that he had to place third or better in Iowa and New Hampshire, hoping that would propel him to victory in Nevada and strong showings on Feb. 5 in states like New Mexico, Arizona and California. But about a week ago he began downplaying Iowa, mentioning only New Hampshire when saying he had to finish third or better. Continue Reading

Cervantes’ decision to put family first is commendable

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Politicians talk all the time about the importance of family, but too many put their work ahead of their own families. That’s why the decision by state Rep. Joseph Cervantes to withdraw from the Second Congressional District race is so commendable. It’s a rare example of a politician backing up his statements on family with action. Cervantes took quite a political risk by withdrawing last week from the race. He’s been pushed by supporters for years to run for Congress, has openly considered the race, and has decided each time against running. Continue Reading

Many voters in poll think guv will stay in N.M.

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If the last non-scientific poll is any indication, readers of this site believe Bill Richardson is most likely going to remain governor of New Mexico at the conclusion of the 2008 election cycle. Of 315 voters, 119, or 38 percent, said Richardson will remain governor following the election, while 90, or 28 percent, said he will be secretary of state. Thirty-three, or 10 percent, said he will be vice president; 24, or 8 percent, said he will be president; 19, or 6 percent, said he will be a U.S. senator; and 30, or 10 percent, said he will hold some other position. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s non-scientific poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Cervantes to drop out of congressional race

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State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, has decided to drop out of the race to replace U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce in Congress.Several sources confirmed that Cervantes called his closest supporters Friday to tell them he is dropping out of the race, citing primarily family considerations. Cervantes couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.The sources didn’t know whether Cervantes plans to seek re-election to his state House seat. The treasurer for his previous House campaigns, New Mexico State University professor Jose Garcia, had already announced that he would seek to replace Cervantes in the House.Cervantes lives in the state Senate district of Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Las Cruces, and could also challenge him.Cervantes joined in mid November a crowded field for the Democratic Party’s nomination that includes retired Presbyterian pastor Al Kissling, Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley, Roswell businessman and retired teacher Frank McKinnon and former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague. The race for the Republican nomination is even more crowded, with four candidates already announced and at least five others seriously considering it.Cervantes has openly sought for years to balance public service with family. He has three daughters – one in elementary school, one in middle school and one in high school – and the sources said that, after traveling the district campaigning for weeks and watching Congress stay in session several weeks longer than planned this year, he decided to drop out.I’ll have more on this next week. Continue Reading

Senate President Ben Altamirano dies

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Senate President Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City, died today at his home after suffering from a massive heart attack.Altamirano, who had served in the Senate since 1971, will be remembered as a hard worker with a warm personality.“I am deeply saddened by the passing of a great New Mexican and my dear friend, Benny Altamirano,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a statement released by his office. “Benny was a true statesman whose soft-spoken demeanor and love for the State of New Mexico helped earn him the respect of everyone who crossed his path. Benny will be dearly missed. Barbara and I send our condolences to Benny’s wife, Nina, and his entire family.”I’ll have more on this next week. Continue Reading

Eight crucial days for Richardson

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The next eight days are going to be the most critical in Bill Richardson’s political life.His longshot bid for the presidency is either going to get a huge boost in Iowa on Jan. 3 or it’s going to die. Most likely, Richardson will finish fourth, or even fifth, and the question will become how long the governor stays in the race before returning to New Mexico for the legislative session that begins Jan. 15.Richardson’s effort on the campaign trail has been valiant. He has worked at least as hard as the other candidates. Continue Reading

New Mexico took the national stage in 2007

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What do Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential run, the U.S. attorney scandal, the statewide cockfighting ban, Spaceport America and Sen. Pete Domenici’s retirement have in common? They were stories that kept New Mexico in the national news in 2007. The attention on the Land of Enchantment will continue in 2008: With voters deciding whether to send Richardson to Washington and four open seats in Congress from New Mexico, this swing state will be ground zero for politics next year. Before we cross into the new year, here’s a look at my picks for the top stories of 2007: 10. Standing up to the speaker He may have defeated a challenge to his leadership in December 2006, but that doesn’t mean House Speaker Ben Lujan emerged more powerful. Continue Reading

City Council District 6 candidate questionnaire

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I asked candidates running for the open District 6 seat on the Las Cruces City Council to fill out the following questionnaire. I intentionally gave them no word limit, so as you read through their answers, you can consider not only what they said but how much space they took to say it and what that means. For those of you living in District 6, I hope this helps you decide how you’ll vote on Jan. 15 (or sooner if you vote absentee or early). The candidates Patrick J. Curran, Ph.D.• Age: 76• Family: Married 47 years to Eileen D. Curran, four grown children, 22 grandchildren• Education: Doctorate in administrative leadership from University of North Texas, master’s degree in secondary education from Columbia University, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in history and government from Fordham University• Profession: Currently president of a real-estate holding company, also founded My Favorite Place child-care centers in Doña Ana County• Political experience: Doña Ana County magistrate judge, 1995-2002; pro-tem magistrate judge, 2003-2007• Other relevant experience: None listed Lawrence N. Joy• Age: 45• Family: Married to Nancy Joy for more than 21 years• Profession: Owner of Advanced Target Marketing, Inc., since 1995, a direct mail advertising service provider for clients in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Continue Reading

Teacher drops out of First Congressional District race

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High-school teacher Jason Call is dropping out of the First Congressional District race. The Democrat’s decision, announced late Thursday on his Web site, came after the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on Tuesday endorsed fellow Democrat Martin Heinrich in the race. “I’ve pushed this thing about as far as it can go, and I’m officially pulling the plug,” Call wrote on his Web site. “…As someone who has been a union member his entire professional career, I completely understand AFSCME’s decision to endorse a ‘winner,’ as opposed to a fringe candidate like myself. I think that they made the right choice, and I hope that Martin goes on to trounce whichever nutjob the GOP chooses to prop up.” Call pledged to return the $1,000 he raised for the race, saying he spent only $277 and would “take the hit on that.” He also plans to keep his Web site operational and wrote that, if the next member of Congress from the Albuquerque area doesn’t actively work toward goals including single-payer health care, public financing for elections and immediate withdrawal from Iraq, “then I will continue this campaign for the 2010 congressional election.” “I have been a peace and justice activist for near 20 years,” he wrote. Continue Reading

Judge upholds statewide cockfighting ban

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A district judge has upheld the statewide ban on cockfighting approved by the governor and Legislature earlier this year. Judge William McBee of Lovington ruled on Wednesday that the ban is constitutional. Cockfighters had sued, arguing that the ban violated 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and that legislators violated procedures mandated by the state constitution when approving the ban earlier this year. “This is a significant victory for those who oppose animal cruelty,” Attorney General Gary King said in a news release. “I thank the court for its thoughtful and quick attention to the case. Continue Reading

Teague won’t concede Las Cruces to opponents

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This is the first in an occasional series of articles based on conversations with the Second Congressional District candidates. Articles on each candidate who agrees to an interview will run before the parties’ preprimary nominating conventions in March. Though there are three candidates from Las Cruces joining him in the race for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Southern New Mexico’s congressional seat, Hobbs oilman Harry Teague isn’t conceding anything – even their home turf. He visited Doña Ana County last week for the third time since formally entering the race on Nov. 8. Continue Reading

AFSCME endorses Udall, Heinrich

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The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents more than 12,000 government workers in New Mexico, has endorsed Tom Udall’s Senate run and Martin Heinrich’s First Congressional District bid. The endorsements come with the resources and volunteers of a nationally powerful organization. The union’s political action committee voted unanimously Tuesday evening to endorse Udall “because he has a strong track record of fighting for New Mexico’s workers and has the experience we need,” according to a news release from the union. “Tom is a once-in-a-lifetime elected official. He is the type of person that we never have to second guess where he stands on workers’ issues. Continue Reading