Obama holds town hall with veterans in Las Cruces

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Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama focused on veterans during a Memorial Day event in Las Cruces that appeared to be designed more to get attention from the national media than it was to earn him support in southern New Mexico. Obama addressed a wide range of topics in response to questions asked during the town-hall meeting at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, but his preceding speech was focused entirely on those who have served in the military. “We all, every one of us, hold in reverence those who have given this country the ultimate measure of devotion,” Obama said. “… This sense of service is what America is all about.” Here’s video of Obama’s speech, courtesy of his campaign: You can also listen to audio of Obama’s speech by clicking here and of the question-and-answer session by clicking here, courtesy of KSNM-AM 570 News. Designed for a national audience The picturesque event was held in the courtyard at the state’s Western-themed museum. Continue Reading

Congressional candidates increase self-financing

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Three of New Mexico’s congressional candidates have upped the ante again in recent days by increasing their own self-financing. In the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary, Aubrey Dunn Jr. reported on Friday that he has loaned another $85,000 to his campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records. That brings the total he’s loaned his campaign to $537,435.17. In the 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary, Ben R. Luján reported on Thursday loaning his campaign another $150,000, according to FEC records. That brings his total self-financing to $200,000. Continue Reading

Most voters in poll pick Wingenroth in magistrate race

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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said Kent Wingenroth will win the Doña Ana County magistrate judge Democratic primary. Of 136 voters, 96, or 71 percent, said Wingenroth will win, while 29, or 21 percent, said Maria Rodriguez will win. Six voters, or 4 percent, said Frank Rivera will win, and five voters, or 4 percent, said Francisco Ortiz will win. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Luján, Heinrich leading in ABQ Journal polls

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Two polls conducted for the Albuquerque Journal find that Ben R. Luján has the edge in the 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary and Martin Heinrich has the edge in the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary. In the 3rd District, Luján led his closest opponent, Don Wiviott, 29 percent to 23 percent in the Journal poll, which was released today. The article on the poll said Harry Montoya came in third, Benny Shendo Jr. was fourth, Jon Adams was fifth and Rudy Martin was sixth, but it did not give percentages. The survey of 500 registered Democrats in the district who said they were likely to vote was conducted Tuesday through Thursday and has a margin of error of 4.5 percent. Meanwhile, Heinrich was leading his closest opponent, Rebecca Vigil-Giron, 34 percent to 23 percent, according to the Journal poll. Continue Reading

Obama’s Cruces event won’t be open to the public

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What Barack Obama’s campaign previously said would be a public visit to Las Cruces by the Democratic presidential candidate on Monday will instead be a closed event attended by Gov. Bill Richardson, the media and some local veterans and their families. Though the Obama campaign has released the location of the event to the media for planning purposes, its news release also states that the venue is “not for publication or broadcast.” Details on the event had not been previously released, except for the statement that it would be public. Being certain that many people will be disappointed, I asked the Obama campaign for comment on the change to a private event. “Senator Obama and Governor Richardson are commemorating Memorial Day in Las Cruces, New Mexico,” said Obama spokeswoman Amy Brundage. “Senator Obama will be discussing the importance of keeping our sacred trust with our nation’s veterans with local veterans and their families.” That’s about all I can tell you, except that I plan to cover the event, which is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Check my site later Monday for complete coverage. Continue Reading

Heinrich attacks Bush in new TV ad

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While President Bush will visit Albuquerque on Tuesday to raise money for First Congressional District Republican candidate Darren White, White’s likely Democratic opponent in November, Martin Heinrich, is up on TV today with a new ad attacking the Bush presidency. Here’s the ad: “For the past eight years, George Bush has left middle-class families in the dust,” Heinrich says in the ad. “I’m Martin Heinrich, and I’m running for Congress to take us in a new direction.” The ad is a response to Bush’s visit, according to Heinrich’s Web site. Continue Reading

Despite attacks, Newman pledges to stay positive

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Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate Monty Newman is promising to run a positive campaign despite negative attacks from two primary opponents, Aubrey Dunn Jr. and Ed Tinsley. The attacks have come as Newman has become a more credible candidate in recent weeks. He’s being backed by the National Association of Realtors, whose political action committee has spent $1 million to promote Newman’s candidacy. “Rather than telling you why you should not vote for someone else, I’m going to tell you why you should vote for me,” Newman said in a news release from his campaign. “I am a conservative Republican. Continue Reading

NMSU’s Martin recommended for LSU job

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The Louisiana State University Chancellor Search Committee today recommended that New Mexico State University President Michael Martin be the next leader of LSU’s main campus in Baton Rouge. LSU President John V. Lombardi must now decide whether to recommend that the Board of Supervisors hire Martin, which he could formally do at their next meeting on June 5. “We were handed a difficult task by President Lombardi,” the search committee’s chair, John Hamilton, said in a news release announcing today’s decision. “But I am confident that we found the best candidate for the job. Dr. Martin would be a fine choice to run this university.” The members of the committee voted unanimously to recommend Martin, according to the news release. Continue Reading

Shendo shows he’s not ready to be a congressman

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Earlier this week at a forum in Farmington, 3rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Benny Shendo Jr. set fire to the race by publicly accusing primary opponent Ben R. Luján of being gay. Shendo did it in the context of hinting that, because he’s hid his sexuality to appease his parents, Luján is someone who won’t stand up for New Mexicans. “You say that you stand up for the people of New Mexico,” Shendo said, according to video posted on YouTube, “and I want to know how you can stand up for the people of New Mexico if you can’t stand up to your mom and dad about your lifestyle.” Luján stumbled through a response and said he wasn’t sure what Shendo was talking about. Luján, like the rest of us who are involved in New Mexico’s political system, has probably heard the rumor that he’s gay. But no evidence has been presented publicly and Luján says it isn’t true, so it’s nothing more than a rumor. Continue Reading

Udall has $2.9 million on hand for general election

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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tom Udall is heading into the general election with almost $2.9 million on hand, according to a news release from his campaign. Udall raised $728,211 between April 1 and May 14, according to the news release detailing his latest Federal Election Commission filing. By contrast, Republican candidate Steve Pearce raised $357,000 and Heather Wilson raised $291,106.48 during that period, so Udall continued his trend of besting the combined fundraising efforts of both GOP candidates, which he has done throughout the primary season. “We are extremely grateful to all of Tom’s supporters for their enthusiasm and generosity,” Udall campaign manager Amanda Cooper said in the release. “They are helping ensure that Tom’s record of doing what’s right for New Mexico is resonating strongly throughout our state.” Udall reported total expenses of $435,170 and finished the period with $2,876,030 on hand, according to the release. Continue Reading

Hobbs newspaper endorses Teague in CD2 race

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The Hobbs News-Sun on Thursday endorsed Democrat Harry Teague in the 2nd Congressional District race, citing his experience. “He was on the forefront supporting two of the major economic projects in Lea County,” the newspaper’s editorial stated. “Teague has the knowledge and life experience needed in Congress, and his personable nature would encourage the partnership necessary in politics.” Teague said in a news release that he was honored to have the endorsement. “All my life I’ve tried to bring people together to get things done,” Teague said. “From providing health care and college scholarships for my employees and their families to helping create new jobs in Lea County as county commissioner, I’ve always been committed to getting results for working families. Continue Reading

Montoya begins running TV ads in CD3 race

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Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate Harry Montoya unveiled two 30-second ads today that are running on cable television. Here’s the first, titled “Preparation:” And the second, “Ready for the Cause:” The ads stand out because they’re not produced by an expensive, out-of-state firm, but were instead put together locally and on a smaller budget. They’re designed to emphasize Montoya’s roots and his dedication and commitment to New Mexico, according to a news release from the campaign. “While my opponents spend hundreds of thousands of dollars attacking one another and trying to distort each other’s qualifications, I have chosen to air ads that stress my vast experience and commitment to serving the people of New Mexico in Congress and the issues that I will work on when I am elected,” Montoya said in the release. “I am the only candidate for Congress that has the legislative experience and a proven record of results to hit the ground running in Washington.” Continue Reading

Dean’s Democracy for America endorses McCamley

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Democracy for America, which calls itself the “largest progressive political action community” in the nation, has endorsed Democrat Bill McCamley in the 2nd Congressional District race. “We have all seen what can happen when big oil men get sent to Washington: profits over people and $4 dollar gas – with no relief in sight. Big oil money can buy you a fancy car, a mansion and maybe even a private jet. But it shouldn’t be able to buy you a seat in the House of Representatives,” the group wrote today in an e-mail to its 675,000 members. “That’s why DFA is proud to endorse Bill McCamley for Congress in New Mexico’s second district. Continue Reading

Barack Obama to visit Las Cruces area on Monday

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Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will visit the Las Cruces area on Monday. The only other detail released by the campaign at this point is that Obama will host a public event. Sources said the focus of the Memorial Day visit will be veterans. There was no immediate word on whether Gov. Bill Richardson, Obama’s most visible supporter in New Mexico, will be with the Illinois senator on the trip to Southern New Mexico. Obama is one of four high-profile political figures who will visit New Mexico next week. Continue Reading

Newspaper endorses Pearce in Senate race

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The Hobbs News-Sun endorsed Steve Pearce in the GOP U.S. Senate primary on Wednesday, citing his “steadfast support of the state’s conservative values.” “Pearce is enjoying his third term as a congressman thanks to strong support from all areas of the political spectrum,” the endorsement editorial from Pearce’s hometown newspaper states. “He wouldn’t be in his current position without Democrats and independents who believe he represents their interests, as opposed to the interests of only one party.” The News-Sun said Pearce “doesn’t always take the most popular stance on a bill, but we appreciate his consistency.” Continue Reading