Richardson again falls in polls; Biden climbs

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After a brief surge in Iowa, New Hampshire and national polls in recent weeks, Gov. Bill Richardson’s support is again headed in the opposite direction; meanwhile, support for Joe Biden is increasing. Since Tuesday, Richardson’s Real Clear Politics average of recent national polls has fallen from 4.1 percent to 3.6 percent. Meanwhile, Biden’s average has risen from 2.8 percent to 3.4 percent. The governor’s average of recent polls in Iowa has fallen from 9.8 percent to 7.4 percent since Tuesday, and his average of recent polls in New Hampshire has fallen from 10.3 percent to 8 percent. Meanwhile, Biden has climbed in Iowa to 5.3 percent and in New Hampshire to 3 percent. Continue Reading

Solano to run for lieutenant governor, not Congress

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Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano announced today that he won’t run for the Third Congressional District seat being vacated by Tom Udall, opting instead to continue his 2010 campaign for lieutenant governor. “My family, supporters and I have weighed the issues and the races of lieutenant governor and the House seat, and have decided the place where I can best serve the citizens of New Mexico is in the lieutenant governor’s race,” Solano said in a news release. “It was very humbling to be asked by citizens and my peers to consider the (House) run and I am very thankful for the support.” Solano said he is confident a Democrat will win the House seat, and he urged New Mexicans to “make real changes in Washington by electing Democrats for president and into all of the congressional races. We must turn away from those who have supported President Bush’s failed policies and wars.” Democrats who have entered the House race are Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry B. Montoya, state Indian Affairs Secretary Benny Shendo Jr. and Santa Fe green builder Don Wiviott. Attorney Marco E. Gonzales is the only Republican who has entered the race. Continue Reading

Steinborn to seek re-election, not Pearce’s seat

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State Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, announced today that he won’t run for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by Steve Pearce, but will seek re-election next year. Doña Ana County Commissioner Kent Evans, a Republican, is the only other candidate who has entered the race for the New Mexico House District 37 seat. “There are many challenges before us in state government and our local community that need addressing,” Steinborn said in a news release. “Since being elected to the state House, I have played a leadership role in working to meet our state’s health-care needs, instituting important ethics and lobbying reform and bringing a critically needed focus to our border region. I would like to continue this work.” Steinborn’s news release included a quote from Gov. Bill Richardson praising the representative. Continue Reading

Dunn, Tinsley, won’t attend GOP candidate forum

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Prior commitments will keep rancher Aubrey Dunn and restaurant-chain owner and rancher Ed Tinsley from attending the forum being held Tuesday in Alamogordo for announced GOP candidates and potential candidates for the Second Congressional District seat being vacated by Steve Pearce. Otero County Republican Party Chair Sassy Tinling confirmed today that the two won’t participate. She said last week that Tinsley would attend but Dunn had not yet responded to an invitation. That leaves Bob Cornelius, former Bernalillo County GOP executive director, as the only announced candidate who will participate in the forum. Also participating will be Sierra County GOP chair C. Earl Greer and former state Rep. Terry Marquardt, who are both considering running but have not announced decisions. Continue Reading

Montoya to kick off campaign for Udall’s House seat

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Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry B. Montoya will officially announce on Wednesday his candidacy for the Third Congressional District seat being vacated by Tom Udall. “As a nation we face great challenges here at home and globally on the world stage. I know that we can overcome these challenges by working together,” Montoya said in a news release. “As Americans we have proven that when we stand together there is nothing we cannot accomplish. I ask you to stand with me as I announce that I am running for Congress.” The announcement will be made at the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys and Girls Club, 101 Lighting Loop Road in Santa Fe, at 4 p.m. Montoya was first elected county commissioner in 2002. Continue Reading

Udall ‘honored’ by Chávez’s support for Senate bid

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U.S. Rep. Tom Udall released a short statement this weekend saying he is honored to have the support of Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez and looks forward to working with him. Chávez dropped out of the U.S. Senate race on Friday, leaving Udall and alternative media publisher and editor Leland Lehrman as the only Democrats vying for the right to take on Steve Pearce or Heather Wilson in November. Chávez endorsed Udall and called on others to support his bid. “I am honored by Mayor Martin Chávez’s support and very much appreciate his decision to unite and move forward together to ensure New Mexico sends a Democrat to the United States Senate next November,” Udall said. “I know I speak for all Democrats in thanking him for his commitment to ending the ill-conceived war in Iraq, expanding access to health care, improving our schools and turning around our struggling economy. Continue Reading

Non-scientific poll finds mixed opinion on new leaders

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Opinion of the new Las Cruces mayor and city councilors is mixed, if last week’s non-scientific poll on this site is any indication. Of 150 voters, 62, or 41 percent, said the new officials will make things better in Las Cruces, while 51, or 34 percent, said they’ll make things worse, and 37, or 25 percent, said their recent election will have no effect. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Chávez’s future uncertain as he lines up behind Udall

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Excitement and a sense of inevitability characterized the crowd that showed up to hear Tom Udall announce his U.S. Senate run in Las Cruces last week. The excitement came from Udall supporters and other Democrats who sensed a real opportunity to pick up a Senate seat held by a Republican for more than three decades. The sense of inevitability came from the few supporters of Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez who attended the event to gauge reaction. Doña Ana County was, after all, a place where Chávez expected to do quite well. But Udall’s announcement tour boldly hit Hispanic Democratic strongholds throughout the state, and many Democrats in Las Cruces began to see the writing on the wall when at least 50 people showed up to hear Udall. Continue Reading

Chávez announces withdrawal from Senate race

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Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez is confirming on his Web site that he’s dropping out of the U.S. Senate race. Here’s his entire message: Thank you for your support Today I am announcing that I will not seek the seat for U.S. Senate.Traveling my home state over the past several weeks, I have been honored to spend time with my fellow New Mexicans to talk about the issues and challenges facing our state.While I deeply appreciate all the support I have received, it has become very clear to me that Democrats should not be divided in the upcoming election. It is crucial to the future of New Mexico and this country that a Democrat become the next U.S. Senator. A hotly contested primary, as this one certainly could be, would likely dramatically weaken the Democratic nominee and place the general election in jeopardy.It is far more critical to end the war in Iraq, reform our broken healthcare system, and provide educational opportunities to our youth to empower them to participate in a worldwide economy.The war in Iraq was a mistake from the very beginning — one of the greatest foreign policy blunders our country has ever seen. Our brave men and women in uniform have served honorably. Continue Reading

Report: Chávez plans to drop out of Senate race

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The influential liberal Web site Daily Kos is reporting that Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez called U.S. Rep. Tom Udall today to say he’s dropping out of the Senate race. I’ve been unable to immediately confirm the report, though I spoke with several high-ranking Democratic sources who believe it to be true. Spokespersons for Chávez and Udall could not immediately be reached for comment. Daily Kos reported that Chávez will drop out tonight, and an announcement is expected at 6 p.m. New Mexico time. Independent and internal polls have repeatedly shown Udall as much stronger than Chávez against both Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for Senate, U.S. Reps. Continue Reading

Road-funding shortage could indicate bigger problems

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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