Guv applauds decision to disallow casino near Cruces

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The National Indian Gaming Commission has concluded than an Oklahoma Indian tribe can’t legally operate a casino on trust land it owns between Deming and Las Cruces — a decision Gov. Bill Richardson is applauding. “This federal decision is clear and unambiguous – and it is a victory for the people of New Mexico, who are opposed to an expansion of gaming beyond what has already been negotiated,” Richardson said in a news release. “The Fort Sill Apaches will violate federal law if they move forward with an illegal casino in southern New Mexico. I have directed the state police and the Gaming Control Board to remain vigilant and block access if they attempt to open a casino.” The Fort Sill Apache Tribe planned earlier this year to open a bingo parlor on land near Akela Flats that was taken into federal trust in 2002 with the condition that it not be used for gaming. Though the tribe said it now meets the requirements for an off-reservation casino exemption, Richardson disagreed and ordered the state police to block public access to the facility in February. Continue Reading

McCamley touts newspaper endorsements

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Democratic 2nd Congressional District candidate Bill McCamley is claiming widespread support across the district after three newspapers have endorsed him in recent days. I’ve already written about the Las Cruces Sun-News endorsing McCamley, but the newspaper was joined in backing him in recent days by the Roswell Daily Record and the Silver City Daily Press. “McCamley is committed to taking a different approach to representing southern New Mexico. We feel he represents real change,” the Daily Press editorial stated. “Why not try electing someone who’s not a rich oilman from the eastern part of the state for a change.” The editorial also called McCamley “a strong campaigner with what we feel is a greater potential to beat a Republican in the general election.”The Daily Record described McCamley’s “infectious enthusiasm and hopefulness for the future of our country” and how he “can talk intelligently about government operations and domestic and foreign policy. Continue Reading

First Udall TV ads begin running today

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Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Tom Udall begins running his first TV ads of the campaign today, commercials that introduce him to voters and highlight his years in public service. Here’s the first, a 60-second spot about Udall’s record as a congressman and the state’s former attorney general: Here’s the second, a 30-second spot that talks about Udall’s commitment to veterans: Both focus on family, with the first ad talking about Udall’s grandmother Louise Lee, who was born in Luna, N.M., in 1893. The ad characterizes Udall as a tough crime fighter and, in Udall’s own words, someone who has done what’s right for New Mexico “no matter what.” In the second ad, Udall reflects on his father’s military service. The ad talks about Udall’s work on behalf of veterans and a proposal for a new G.I. Bill to help veterans afford college.“These first ads will help New Mexicans see that Tom Udall has the integrity to do what’s right for New Mexico,” Udall campaign manager Amanda Cooper said in a news release. “As attorney general and congressman, Tom has a long record of fighting for the people of New Mexico. Continue Reading

New Wilson ad says Pearce can’t win in November

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Republican U.S. Senate candidate Heather Wilson’s new ad is a hard-hitting assault on her primary opponent, Steve Pearce, that says he can’t win in November. Here’s the ad, which began airing on Wednesday: The ad refers to a statement the Wilson campaign says Pearce made during his failed 2000 run for the U.S. Senate. He said he would cut Social Security benefits for widows and orphans, according to the ad. The ad also criticizes Pearce for a recent vote to cut $169 million from New Mexico’s share of hospital funding. In the same bill, Pearce voted against cracking down on health-care fraud and abuse, according to a news release from the Wilson campaign. Continue Reading

Guv appoints 20 to veteran’s museum task force

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Gov. Bill Richardson announced today the appointment of 20 people to the Veterans Museum Task Force, which will consider the best location to locate the planned state museum. Absent from the task force are any lawmakers, including the two who sponsored the bills this year that would have created the museum and located it in Doña Ana County – Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, and Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Las Cruces. Richardson vetoed the legislation, which had widespread support among lawmakers, saying there wasn’t consensus on where to locate the museum and that the bill was drafted without input from the state veteran’s community. But a controversy ensued because Richardson originally supported the bill – and had two of his cabinet secretaries testify before legislative committees on behalf of it. Richardson changed his tune and vetoed the bill after Rawson became his most vocal critic on other issues during the legislative session. Continue Reading

Realtors spend another $400K promoting Newman

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The National Association of Realtors Political Action Committee has put another $400,000 into promoting the candidacy of Republican 2nd Congressional District hopeful Monty Newman. The group filed notice with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday that it was spending another $404,787.35 on TV ads promoting Newman. That brings the total the group has spent on TV ads and mailers for Newman to just under $1 million – $989,894.51. As I’ve reported, that money has dramatically changed the dynamic of the 2nd District GOP primary, in which Newman wasn’t considered by many to be a strong contender until the Realtors got involved. It appears that the new money will go to producing and airing a new TV ad promoting Newman. Continue Reading

Wilson releases fundraising details; Pearce does not

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Republican U.S. Senate candidate Heather Wilson raised just under $300,000 from April 1 to May 14 and had $712,476.63 on hand to spend in the final three weeks of the primary race. Wilson released the summary pages from her May 14 Federal Election Commission report, which you can view by clicking here. Her primary opponent, Steve Pearce, meanwhile, did not respond to a request to release his FEC report. While Wilson raised $291,106.48 during the reporting period – with all but $46,000 coming from individuals, and the rest coming from political committees – the Pearce campaign said it raised $357,000 but provided no additional information, including whether any of that was a loan. The Pearce campaign also did not release the all-important figure: how much cash it had on hand on May 14. Continue Reading

Guv comes to Obama’s defense; McCain hits back

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Gov. Bill Richardson and GOP presidential nominee John McCain are in a battle over who is better in the international arena. The fight apparently began on Tuesday when Richardson was quoted on the Miami Herald’s blog defending Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama from an attack McCain launched after Obama suggested that he would be open to talking to Cuban leader Raul Castro. “John McCain – like George Bush – is afraid to talk to bad guys,” Richardson was quoted on the blog as saying. “He feels safer pretending to talk tough by hiding from them. … Continue Reading

McCain, Michelle Obama will visit ABQ next week

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Republican presidential nominee John McCain will be in Albuquerque on Monday, while Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, will be in the Duke City on Tuesday. I’ve already reported that President Bush will be in Albuquerque on Tuesday for a fundraiser for the state Republican Party and 1st Congressional District candidate Darren White. Now the Associated Press is reporting that McCain will participate in Memorial Day events at the New Mexico Veterans Museum in Albuquerque on Monday, but no other details have been released. This will be McCain’s first visit to New Mexico as a 2008 presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Michelle Obama will headline a Tuesday fundraiser for her husband’s campaign that will be co-hosted by Gov. Bill Richardson in Albuquerque. Continue Reading

Mattiace endorses Tinsley in CD2 race

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Former Las Cruces Mayor William “Bill” Mattiace endorsed Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate Ed Tinsley today. Mattiace, in a news release from the Tinsley campaign, cited Tinsley’s “extensive knowledge of the issues affecting the citizens of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County” as the reason for his endorsement. “Ed is a small-business owner like myself, and with that experience he understands that bringing economic growth to Doña Ana County begins with decreasing the federal tax burden on the backs of individuals and businesses,” Mattiace said. “Ed will fight for increased funding in Washington, which will go towards the recruitment, training and retention of members of the U.S. Border Patrol to help control our borders, and he’ll work to maintain the beauty of the Organ Mountains, which are a national treasure.” “I am happy to stand in support of a man who will work hard for the citizens of Dona Ana County and will represent New Mexico with integrity in Congress,” said Mattiace, who was Las Cruces mayor from 2003 until his defeat last year. Continue Reading

Wilson touts new endorsements in Senate race

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Republican U.S. Senate candidate Heather Wilson has announced new endorsements in recent days that include the Albuquerque city council president, the Tijeras mayor and a New York newspaper. Albuquerque’s Brad Winter, in his endorsement of Wilson, said she has done “an excellent job” as the representative of the 1st Congressional District. “There’s a reason she gets re-elected every cycle in a Democratic district. Heather Wilson cares about the people and the families she represents,” Winter said in a release from the Wilson campaign. “She doesn’t vote the way special interests tell her to; she votes the way she knows is right.” Wilson said she was “very pleased” to have Winter’s endorsement, saying he has fought to keep city taxes low and government open and honest. Continue Reading

Teague, Tinsley announce new endorsements

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In the 2nd Congressional District race, Democrat Harry Teague and Republican Ed Tinsley have announced new endorsements. The United Transportation Union has endorsed Teague, while former state Sen. Don Kidd has endorsed Tinsley. In a letter to Teague, the union cited his understanding and experience fighting on behalf of hard-working New Mexico families, according to a news release from the Teague campaign. “Your dedication and understanding of the issues that affect our members and their families has earned the respect and support of all our members,” the letter stated. Teague said he is “honored” to have the support of the union, which represents about 125,000 active and retired transit workers in the United States. Continue Reading

Two area legislators face credible primary challenges

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The question in both Democratic state legislative primaries in Doña Ana County appears to be whether voters think the incumbents are successfully working for them or have become Santa Fe insiders who have lost touch with their needs. Doña Ana County Commissioner Oscar Vásquez Butler is challenging Senate Majority Whip Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana, on June 3. Mesilla Mayor Pro Tem Jesus Caro is challenging Rep. Joni Gutierrez, D-Mesilla. Butler, using the campaign slogan “Time for a change,” argues that Garcia has served too long, has lost touch with her constituents and isn’t as effective as she once was. Caro, whose slogan is “Sharing our values,” says Gutierrez is out of touch with the rural communities in the district she represents. Continue Reading

Wiviott’s attack ad triggers brawl in CD3 race

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Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate Don Wiviott picked a fight this weekend when he unveiled an ad attacking primary opponent Ben R. Luján. Now the two are accusing each other of misleading the public in an increasingly contentious battle. The AFL-CIO and other union groups plan to jump into the fight by holding a news conference on Tuesday to, according to a release, “set the record straight on Don Wiviott’s misleading attacks on Ben Ray Luján.” In the ad, which you can view by clicking here, Wiviott claims that Luján hasn’t worked hard to become successful. “Luján was a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas before his famous father got him a state job. Now Luján makes $90,000, but he didn’t show up to 13 of the 14 meetings of the health commission,” the ad states. Continue Reading

County Dems to host forums for primary candidates

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Two upcoming forums will allow Doña Ana County Democrats to compare candidates who will appear on the ballot on June 3. On May 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Democratic Party of Doña Ana County will host a forum for state Senate and House and magistrate judge candidates. On May 31 from 10 a.m. to noon, the party will host a forum for candidates for county clerk, treasurer and commissioner. Both forums will be held at the party’s headquarters, 139 North Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. It’s the old Popular Dry Goods building, and the entrance is on the north end at the corner of Water Street and Organ Avenue. Continue Reading