Road-funding shortage could indicate bigger problems

By |

The state has increased spending at a quick pace during Gov. Bill Richardson’s administration, and many protesting lawmakers warned that it was only a matter of time before New Mexicans started tangibly feeling the effects. It’s happening. As reported today by the Albuquerque Journal, the state has indefinitely postponed $500 million worth of high-priority road projects, including, to save $55 million, 20 miles of improvements to Interstate 10 between Las Cruces and the Texas state line and two I-10 interchange projects. The reason? The state has no money to pay for the roadwork. Continue Reading

Republican attorney to run for Udall’s House seat

By |

Republican Marco E. Gonzales, an attorney who spent 10 years working for U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici as a defense appropriations specialist, has decided to run for the Third Congressional District seat being vacated by Tom Udall. “I have decided to respectfully offer my background and experience to the people of Northern New Mexico and the 3rd CD for consideration as a candidate for Congress,” he confirmed in an e-mail. Gonzales said a formal announcement will be made in the next 10 days or so in Santa Fe, where he was born and currently lives. Gonzales called Domenici “a great mentor and friend,” and said he is “battle-tested from the experience of working for Pete on issues like saving Kirtland, maintaining force structure and infrastructure at Cannon AFB and fighting for the defense budgets at our military bases and national laboratories.” He also worked on judiciary, commerce, state and justice issues. Asked about issues in his campaign, Gonzales said “a top priority will be saving the Los Alamos National Laboratory from the frontal assault being levied on it from Washington budget cutters in the House of Representatives who have no idea what a national treasure it truly is.” Gonzales said he “cannot believe Tom Udall never once had key decision makers out here to educate them. Continue Reading

Rancher, retired banker announces congressional run

By |

Aubrey L. Dunn Jr. announced today that he’s running for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by Steve Pearce, making him the third Republican to enter the race. “People are talking about immigration ‘reform,’ but I believe it’s time we enforce the laws that are already on the books,” Dunn said in a news release. “I’ll be a strong voice in Congress for protecting our border and fighting illegal immigration.” Dunn said he is signing the taxpayer protection pledge from Americans for Tax Reform, which asks candidates to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and or businesses.” According to the group’s Web site, no other candidate in the Second Congressional District has signed the pledge. “With Democrats in control of Congress, it’s only a matter of time before they start pushing tax increases on the American people,” Dunn said. “I’ll fight the Democrats at every turn and ensure that American families keep more of their hard-earned money.” Dunn, 51, is a graduate of Alamogordo High School and Colorado State University. Continue Reading

Council hopeful has real estate, planning experience

By |

A Las Crucen with a background in the military, commercial property management and community planning wants to replace Ken Miyagishima, who was elected mayor of Las Cruces earlier this month, as the District 6 city councilor. Berchard Ray Shipley said he’s running because he wants to help his community. “That’s always been my belief, that you give back to the community where you live,” Shipley said in a phone interview. The special election is being held Jan. 15. Continue Reading

Spaceport authority hires new executive director

By |

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority announced today the hiring of a man with more than 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry to be its new executive director. Steven Landeene replaces Rick Homans, who left the job in July. He will begin work on Jan. 7, according to a news release from the authority. “Steven Landeene’s credentials speak for themselves,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a news release. Continue Reading

2nd District Dems to attend forum in Las Cruces

By |

The Democratic candidates running for the Second Congressional District seat currently held by Steve Pearce will take part in a candidate forum in Las Cruces on Dec. 15. State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, retired Presbyterian minister Al Kissling, Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley, Roswell businessman and retired teacher Frank McKinnon and former Lea County Commissioner Harry Teague have all confirmed their participation in the forum, which will be held from 3-5 p.m. in the Creative Media Institute’s Digital Media Theatre in Milton Hall on the New Mexico State University campus. The forum is sponsored by the Democratic Party of Doña Ana County. Each candidate will be allowed to give a brief speech, and then the group will take questions. Continue Reading

Attorney to run for Carraro’s Senate seat

By |

David Pyne, a Republican activist, attorney and former Army officer, has announced his candidacy for the state Senate seat being vacated by Joe Carraro, who is running for Congress. Pyne, 38, lives in the Paradise Hills community in Senate District 23. “I believe I am the strongest candidate in the race to replace Senator Joe Carraro,” Pyne said. “Once elected to the state Senate, I will fight to improve education, promote job-growth, secure our southern border and bring honesty and integrity to Santa Fe.” Pyne works on legal and contract issues for Honeywell Aerospace. He spent more than six years working in a number of capacities in the defense industry in the Washington, D.C. area prior to relocating to Albuquerque several years ago. Continue Reading

Edwards begins organizing for New Mexico Caucus

By |

With less than two months until New Mexico Democrats will pick their nominee for president on Feb. 5, John Edwards is beginning to mobilize his supporters in the Land of Enchantment. Edwards’ national political director David Medina sent an e-mail to supporters in New Mexico on Wednesday evening inviting them to a conference call on Dec. 12 to begin organizing. Those who are interested in participating can RSVP by clicking here. Continue Reading

GOP congressional hopefuls to gather in Alamogordo

By |

The Otero County Republican Party will host a forum on Tuesday for announced GOP candidates and potential candidates for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by Steve Pearce. The forum will begin at 7 p.m. at the Willie Estrada Memorial Civic Center, 800 E. 1st Street, according to county party Chair Sassy Tinling. The forum will last at least an hour, and she said the party plans to ask five questions on issues that are important in the district. The event is open to the public, and Tinling encouraged anyone, regardless of party affiliation, to attend. The two candidates who have officially entered the race will attend the forum. Continue Reading

Marquardt may run for Pearce’s House seat

By |

Former state Rep. Terry Marquardt, R-Alamogordo, is considering running for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by Steve Pearce. Though I’ve been unable to reach Marquardt for confirmation or other comment, he has confirmed his attendance at a forum next week in Alamogordo for GOP candidates and potential candidates for the seat. He’s also been telling area Republicans that he’s considering running. Marquardt, an optometrist, served 12 years in the state House of Representatives and was the minority whip until he was defeated last year by challenger Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces. After his defeat, Marquardt hinted at a future political comeback. Continue Reading

Ali MacGraw to attend fundraiser for Sen. Garcia

By |

State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, facing a credible challenge in the June primary, is getting a little help from a well-known actress – Ali MacGraw, star of the 1970-film Love Story. MacGraw, who lives in Santa Fe, will be in Las Cruces on Sunday for a fundraiser for the re-election campaign of the Democratic senator from Doña Ana. The two worked together for years to try to secure passage of legislation making cockfighting illegal in New Mexico, and successfully accomplished that goal earlier this year. Both were present in March when Gov. Bill Richardson signed the Garcia-sponsored bill outlawing cockfighting. The fundraiser, according to the invitation, will be held at the home of Democratic National Committee member Mary Gail Gwaltney. Continue Reading

Unity08 is failing to attract the support it needs

By |

A high percentage of Americans frequently identify themselves in polls as moderates. The majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the direction of the nation. They’re about as unhappy with Democrats in Congress as they are fed up with Republicans. They believe the nation is too polarized, and that is keeping us from moving forward. And yet, a movement with the potential to change that has, thus far, failed to spark the interest it needs to succeed. Continue Reading

Garcia formally announces bid for state House seat

By |

Though he already confirmed in an interview with me last month that he would run, New Mexico State University associate professor Jose Z. Garcia formally announced Tuesday that he is running for the District 52 seat in the state House of Representatives being vacated by Joseph Cervantes, who is running for Congress. “Joseph Cervantes and his predecessor, Dolores Wright, served this district with distinction. Voters need to select someone to continue the hard work and fighting spirit that enabled them to accomplish so much in the relatively short time each of them served,” Garcia said in a news release. “I hope to persuade the voters of this district that I am that person.” Garcia, 62, is the first to announce his candidacy for the open House seat. Garcia, who teaches government at NMSU, was appointed by the governor to the New Mexico Border Authority in 2002 and served for four years. Continue Reading

Five file to run in District 6 special election

By |

Five District 6 residents filed on Tuesday to run in the Jan. 15 special election to replace Ken Miyagishima, who was elected mayor of Las Cruces earlier this month. Those candidates are former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Curran; Lawrence Joy, the owner of a direct mail advertising firm and the voice of NMSU’s marching band; Berchard Ray Shipley; Sharon Thomas, former head of the Quality Growth Alliance; and Karen Trujillo, a real-estate broker and president of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces. The city clerk plans to certify their candidacies on Tuesday by checking to ensure they met the requirement of gathering 25 signatures of voters living in the district. The candidates will draw for ballot position at 5:01 p.m. on Tuesday. Continue Reading