Clerk candidate discloses drunken-driving arrest

By |

Doña Ana County Elections Supervisor Lynn Ellins, one of five people running for county clerk this year, was arrested for drunken driving in November 2006. Ellins’ blood-alcohol level was 0.14 at the time of his arrest in Santa Fe – well above the legal limit of 0.08. He pleaded no contest to the charge of drunken driving and received a deferred sentence. After paying a fine, having an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle for a year and completing the other terms of the deferred sentence, the charge against Ellins is on its way to being dismissed, he said in an interview. Assuming that happens, that means the incident won’t appear on his permanent record. Continue Reading

Poll gives McCamley a ‘commanding’ lead over Teague

By |

Bill McCamley has a nearly two-to-one lead over Harry Teague in the Second Congressional District Democratic primary, according to a poll released by McCamley’s campaign this evening. The poll, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, has McCamley ahead by 21 points, 43 percent to 22 percent. With 70 days until the June 3 primary, that is a “commanding” lead for McCamley, the company’s poll memo states. A large percentage of those surveyed – 35 percent – were undecided. The survey of 403 likely Democratic voters was conducted between March 17 and 19 and has a margin of error of 4.9 percent. Continue Reading

Guv’s endorsement of Obama sparks controversy

By |

Gov. Bill Richardson’s endorsement last week of Barack Obama has sparked quite a controversy. Richardson is being accused of disloyalty and hypocrisy. Some of the criticism is fair and some is not. Several people have e-mailed me to express anger because of this quote Richardson gave the New York Times in February when discussing how superdelegates like him should vote: “It should reflect the vote of my state, it should represent the vote of my constituency,” he said. “It shouldn’t be because you’re a fund-raiser or a big-shot delegate. Continue Reading

Congressional candidates try to stay on ballot

By |

Nine congressional candidates who failed to secure 20 percent of the vote at preprimary nominating conventions 10 days ago filed signatures today to try to stay in the races. Only three candidates who failed to received 20 percent – Second Congressional District candidates Terry Marquardt, a Republican, and Democrats Al Kissling and Frank McKinnon – aren’t trying to stay in the races. James Flores, spokesman for the Secretary of State’s Office, said the office doesn’t have to certify the signatures that were submitted today until Tuesday, but here are the candidates who filed signatures to try to stay in the races: • In the Second Congressional District, Republicans Monty Newman and Greg Sowards. • In the First Congressional District, Democrats Robert Pidcock and Rebecca Vigil-Giron and Republican Joe Carraro. • In the Third Congressional District, Democrats Jon Adams, Rudy Martin, Harry Montoya and Benny Shendo Jr. For my list of the 2008 candidates for federal offices, click here. Continue Reading

Kissling drops congressional bid

By |

Al Kissling has decided to drop out of the race to replace Steve Pearce in Congress. “I’ve sent out a letter to my supporters indicating that I’m dropping out of the race,” the Democrat said today in a brief phone interview. Kissling won 13 percent of delegates at the recent Democratic preprimary nominating convention, while Bill McCamley won 49 percent and Harry Teague won 36 percent. Candidates had to secure at least 20 percent to win a spot on the ballot. To stay in the race, Kissling would have had to submit the signatures of 1,184 registered Democrats living in the Second Congressional District by today. Continue Reading

Voters in poll say Pearce will win primary

By |

The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said Steve Pearce will win the Republican U.S. Senate primary. Of 218 voters, 136, or 62 percent, said Pearce will win, while 82, or 38 percent, said Heather Wilson 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

Caro announces candidacy for state House District 33

By |

Jesus Caro has officially announced his candidacy for the District 33 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Caro is a Democrat and the mayor pro-tem of the town of Mesilla. He said in a news release that he is running based on his belief that, as a lifelong resident of Doña Ana County and native of Mesilla, he can “better represent the values, interests and fundamental principles shared by the majority of my constituents.” “I am a person of integrity and strong family values who will represent and work closely with other county and state-elected officials to provide greatly needed resources and services to our often-times forgotten people, colonias, and municipalities of Doña Ana County,” he said. Caro said his major issues include water, smart growth, quality of life, health care, education, environmental concerns including air quality, veterans benefits, uncontrolled gasoline, oil-product price gouging and protecting the state “from becoming the hazardous waste dumping grounds of the nation.” Caro will face incumbent Rep. Joni Gutierrez, D-Mesilla, in the primary. Continue Reading

Richardson endorses Obama for president

By |

Gov. Bill Richardson today endorsed Barack Obama for president. I’ll have analysis when I return to work on Tuesday, but for now you can read more from the Associated Press by clicking here. Here’s the statement from Richardson released by the Obama campaign: “Today I am endorsing Senator Barack Obama for president of the United States because I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America’s moral leadership in the world,” Richardson said. “As a presidential candidate, I know full well Senator Obama’s unique ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation.” Here’s what Obama had to say about Richardson: “Whether it was as a congressman or cabinet secretary, ambassador or governor, there are few more distinguished public servants in America than Governor Richardson, and I am deeply honored to have his support,” Obama said. “He knows that to secure American interests, we have to talk to our enemies, as well as our friends, which is why he stood up to North Korea and Saddam Hussein to secure the release of American hostages. Continue Reading

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

By |

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

By |

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

Davis announces run for District 10 Senate seat

By |

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

By |

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

By |

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

By |

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

By |

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