Degenerative brain disease forcing Domenici to retire

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici is being forced to retire because he is suffering from a degenerative brain disease that can lead to dementia, the Associated Press is reporting. The condition, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, can cause a number of syndromes including frontotemporal dementia, the disease that forced former Doña Ana County Sheriff Juan Hernandez to resign in 2004. Domenici’s condition could eventually affect parts of the brain important for organization, decision-making and mood and behavior control. “The progress of this disease is apparently erratic and unpredictable. It may well be that, seven years from now, it will be stable,” the 75-year-old Domenici intends to say, according to a draft of remarks prepared for delivery and obtained by the Associated Press. Continue Reading

Retirement throws New Mexico politics into chaos

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News of U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s retirement after 36 years sets off a domino effect that begins with the highest offices in the state and filters down to local races in a number of communities. The Bill Richardson issue aside, the immediate question is whether the other giants – U.S. Reps. Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce on the GOP side and U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez on the Democratic side – plan to seek the open Senate seat. All four will consider it. If Wilson and Pearce, who both want the Senate seat, jump into the race, two heavily contested House seats are suddenly open. Continue Reading

Madrid still considering Senate race

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Patricia Madrid, a former state attorney general, said tonight she is considering whether to run for the open seat in the U.S. Senate following news that the GOP’s Pete Domenici is retiring next year. “I’m getting calls from all over the state,” the prominent Democrat said. “It’s very complex. I am, of course, talking to my husband of 35 years.” In addition, Madrid is considering the fact that she is working for a “lucrative” law firm and her job is “certainly more enjoyable than getting beaten up on television for a year.” Still, Madrid said the Democrats will need a strong candidate with statewide name recognition who can raise millions of dollars. “There are very few of us in the state, and I’ve done it,” she said. Continue Reading

Richardson, Chávez praise Domenici

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New Mexico Democrats are releasing primarily cordial statements in response to the news that U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici is retiring, and Gov. Bill Richardson and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez are no exception. “For more than three decades, Senator Domenici has been a respected and powerful champion for New Mexico’s interests in the U.S. Senate,” Richardson said in a news release. “As Senator Domenici nears the end of a remarkable career, his departure will close a important chapter in our state’s history and leave a legacy of dedicated public service.“ In a news release, Chávez agreed. “Senator Pete V. Domenici will leave office with a tremendous legacy of public service to our state,” he said. “We join with other New Mexicans in thanking the senator for his leadership and vision for New Mexico. Continue Reading

Wilson praises Domenici, gives no clues on her plans

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U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., who will likely consider running for the Senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici, released a statement this evening calling the senator “a mentor and an inspiration.” Wilson gave no indication of whether she’ll run for the seat being vacated by Domenici, but it’s no secret that she has been the senator’s protégé for years. “I understand Senator Pete Domenici will make an important announcement tomorrow,” Wilson said in a statement released by her office. “Whatever his announcement, New Mexicans can be grateful for all our senator has done for our state and nation. He drove the Balanced Budget Act that led the country to balance the budget for the first time in thirty years in 1998, 1999 and 2000 – paying off $450 billion in publicly held debt. He was the engine behind the 2005 Energy Bill that is already helping America to be more energy independent. Continue Reading

Udall, who may consider Senate run, praises Domenici

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U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., who will likely consider running for the Senate seat being vacated by GOP giant Pete Domenici next year, called the outgoing senator a “statesman and skilled negotiator.” “Throughout his distinguished career in public service, Senator Pete V. Domenici has worked hard for all New Mexicans. He will leave the United States Senate as New Mexico’s longest serving member, earning a reputation as a statesman and skilled negotiator,” Udall said in a statement released through a spokeswoman. “Although we have not always seen eye-to-eye on every issue, we have worked together in the best interest of the state, and I look forward to working with him for the remainder of this Congress.” “I think I speak for all New Mexicans in thanking him for his leadership and service,” Udall said. “Jill and I join all of New Mexico in wishing him, his wife Nancy and their entire family all the best in the future. We’re all grateful for his half-century of public service to New Mexico.” A spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman said a statement is in the works. Continue Reading

Wiviott remains committed to Senate race

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Don Wiviott, one of three Democrats who had jumped into the race against U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici before news of his retirement broke today, said he remains committed to the race. Though he wouldn’t release his third-quarter fundraising numbers, Wiviott said his campaign has a budget of $2.1 million for a primary race – and he’ll make up the difference if he doesn’t raise the entire amount. His third-quarter report must be filed publicly by Oct. 15. Wiviott, a Santa Fe developer, already committed $400,000 of his own money to the race and, during the last three months, raised about $60,000 through the Democratic fundraising Web site ActBlue, which discloses such totals publicly. Continue Reading

Domenici to announce retirement in ABQ on Thursday

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., will announce his retirement on Thursday at the grammar school he attended decades ago in Albuquerque. A reliable source confirmed for me moments ago that the senator will make the announcement at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Albuquerque at 4 p.m. The source said Domenici’s decision has nothing to do with the ethics investigation related to the U.S. attorney scandal or his falling poll numbers, and said the senator will specifically address the reason for his decision at Thursday’s news conference. Continue Reading

Domenici is retiring in 2008, Washington Post reports

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, New Mexico’s senior senator, is expected to announce on Thursday that he is retiring next year, the Washington Post is reporting. Domenici’s office would not confirm the report. “At this point, we have no comment,” spokeswoman Courtney Sanders said. More later, but this obviously would set off a huge domino effect in New Mexico politics if it’s true. Now you have the immediate news. Continue Reading

Watch and then critique mayoral candidates

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I could have written something critiquing the performances of both candidates for Las Cruces mayor at Tuesday night’s candidate forum, but I figured it might be better if you did it. The following videos, each less than seven minutes long, include most of what both said. Give your feedback by submitting comments at the end of this article, but remember to adhere to this site’s comments policy. The forum was sponsored by the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce. Bill Mattiace, incumbentKen Miyagishima, challenger Continue Reading

Candidates for council, mayor square off at forum

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Tuesday’s forum involving candidates for Las Cruces mayor and three seats on the city council was a mostly civil, efficient event that gave quick snapshots of those seeking the offices. Mayor Bill Mattiace did take an apparent shot at his opponent, District 6 Councilor Ken Miyagishima. Candidates seeking to replace the outgoing Steve Trowbridge as District 4 councilor also sought to set themselves apart with statements that, in a couple of instances, elicited chuckles from some in attendance at the forum, which was sponsored by the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce. Mattiace, speaking about whether he would continue to support development policies that have led to economic growth and a drop in the unemployment rate, opened by saying, “Don’t pander to special interests.” “We need a mayor that doesn’t pander to groups,” Mattiace said. He then pointed out that, on the May vote on a massive annexation on the East Mesa, five councilors voted for approval and one – Miyagishima – voted against the project. Continue Reading

ActBlue gives hints about third-quarter fundraising

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Candidates running for federal offices in New Mexico haven’t yet filed third-quarter fundraising reports but, as was the case at the end of the second quarter of the year, some information about the Democrats can be gleaned from the fundraising site ActBlue. Reports for the quarter that ended Sunday must be filed and will be available to the public by Oct. 15. Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, one of two Democrats officially attempting to unseat U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., next year, tops New Mexico Dems in fundraising through the site with $71,954 from 385 individual donors. He raised about $30,000 of that during the second quarter of the year, so he took in about $40,000 during the third quarter through the site. Continue Reading

Mercurio disqualified from mayor’s race

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Jon. J Mercurio didn’t file enough signatures to qualify to run for mayor of Las Cruces, so his name won’t appear on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election. That leaves District 6 City Councilor Ken Miyagishima as the only challenger to Mayor Bill Mattiace. Mercurio needed 150 signatures of registered voters who live in Las Cruces to qualify to appear on the ballot, city spokesman Udell Vigil said. Continue Reading

Balderas named one of 100 most influential Hispanics

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State Auditor Hector Balderas has been named one of the nation’s 100 most influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine. Balderas was prominently featured among those who made this year’s list. “Mr. Balderas was elected to his current post in November, becoming the youngest Hispanic statewide elected official in the nation at age 33,” his profile in the publication states. “A former criminal prosecutor in Albuquerque, at age 30 he ran for and won a seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. He recently traveled to Pakistan as a delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders.” Now 34, Balderas said he is “proud to be included in Hispanic Business Magazine’s prestigious list of esteemed professionals.” “As an elected official, I’m always searching for innovative methods to improve government practices and increase productivity,” he said. Continue Reading

Whistleblower urges prosecution in housing scandal

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The Las Cruces woman who blew the whistle last year on the malfunctioning state housing authority system urged prosecution of those responsible for the loss of millions of dollars during a legislative meeting in Las Cruces on Monday. Meanwhile, a state official told lawmakers they may be asked to appropriate additional money for a full-scale audit of the system. Frances Williams, a board member of the defunct Las Cruces-based Region VII Housing Authority, made the comments during the meeting of the Legislative Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee, according to a copy of the statement she provided. “Millions of dollars have been stolen from funding intended for affordable housing because there has been no oversight, no structure and no ethics laws which could have avoided what we experienced with housing funding,” Williams said. “…These bonds proved to be a piggy bank for unscrupulous individuals who plundered it at will, with no one looking over their shoulder.” Most of the state’s affordable housing system collapsed last year when the Albuquerque-based Region III authority defaulted on $5 million in bonds it owed the state. Continue Reading