Political shifts by NMSU regent hopefuls are likely

By |

Let the party switching begin. The governor will soon appoint two people to the New Mexico State University Board of Regents, including the student regent. The past two governors have made the constitutional requirement of a balance of political power on the board meaningless by requiring members of their own party to switch political affiliation so they could be appointed. The new applicants for student regent, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News, are undergraduates Amanda Lowry, 20; Mark Morris, 21; and Phillip Trujillo, 19. Graduate student applicants are Carolyn Dietrich, 45; Ed Kellum, 23; and Eric Montgomery, age unknown. Continue Reading

In speaker battle, House Democrats need to put fear aside and vote their consciences

By |

I recently had a politico tell me that politics is about fear, that most of our leaders make decisions based primarily on the consequences they’ll face. For that reason, many of our elected officials like to pass the buck. I’ve been a journalist for eight years, and there have been many times politicians have tried to pass it off on me. In the current battle over speaker of the House, for example, several Democratic members have tried to do that in recent days. “You know Ben Lujan is corrupt,” one told me. Continue Reading

Stewart says she’s the woman for the job

By |

Mimi Stewart says her experience as head of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee makes her the right person to be House majority leader.“I have proven myself to understand the importance of maintaining our seats and running good campaigns based on progressive politics,” Stewart told me. “I think I would be a really good majority leader.”The Albuquerque representative said she decided earlier this week to seek the position after learning that Ken Martinez of Grants would challenge Ben Lujan of Santa Fe for the position of speaker of the House.Stewart, who has been a member of the House for 12 years, said she understands the system and can bring veteran leadership to the position.She would not comment on who she is supporting for speaker, and had this to say about whether she would back off if Martinez opted against challenging Lujan and instead sought to keep his position as majority leader:“I’m going to be flexible and kind of keep my options open,” Stewart said.She had kind words for Rep. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces, who has pledged to seek the majority leader position if Martinez does not.“He’s been a really great state representative, and if he wins I can work with him, and if I win, I hope he can work with me,” Stewart said.She said she saw Cervantes in Santa Fe Wednesday.“I joked with him, and said, ‘May the best woman win,’” Stewart said. Continue Reading

Former legislator Tomlin dies at 80

By |

John R. Tomlin, who served five terms in the New Mexico House of Representatives in the 1960s and 70s, died Tuesday.Tomlin, a Democrat, passed away at MountainView Regional Medical Center. The lifelong farmer from Las Cruces’ north valley was 80.The former legislator held for 10 years the House District 36 seat currently occupied by Andy Nuñez. He was appointed in October 1965 to fill out the term of Mike Frietze, who resigned, and was later elected in 1969. He served through 1976.“He was a hell of a Democrat and a fine legislator who served Doña Ana County well,” said Ray Sadler, a longtime Democrat and former county party chair. “He was a major figure in New Mexico politics.”Tomlin was part of a legislative delegation Sadler said was the strongest Doña Ana County has ever had. Continue Reading

Cervantes confirms interest in majority leader

By |

In a statement e-mailed to me this afternoon, State Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, confirmed that he will seek the position of House majority leader if Rep. Ken Martinez of Grants does not.Cervantes, who is in Santa Fe, said he met with Speaker of the House Ben Lujan today to tell him that.“I will begin calling House members, but as a matter of protocol I did not want to do so until after I discussed this with the speaker,” Cervantes wrote. Continue Reading

Cervantes, Stewart battle for majority leader

By |

Now that Ken Martinez of Grants is vying for speaker of the House, Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces and Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque are battling to be the next House majority leader.Cervantes announced his intention to Doña Ana County’s other six House Democrats during a meeting over the weekend called by Rep. Mary Helen Garcia of Las Cruces.Reps. Garcia and Andy Nuñez and Representative-elect Nate Cote all confirmed that Cervantes said he will seek the majority leader position if Martinez does not. I’ve been unable to reach Cervantes for comment.Garcia and two other sources confirmed that Stewart will also seek the No. 2 position in the House. I’ve been unable to reach Stewart for comment.Garcia said the chances of Martinez ousting Ben Lujan as speaker and of Cervantes becoming majority leader are good. Continue Reading

Martinez, Lujan campaign for speaker position

By |

The two representatives vying for speaker of the House are fighting hard behind the scenes.Ben Lujan has called at least one Republican to ask for support to continue as speaker.House Minority Whip Dan Foley said Lujan has contacted one Republican to ask for support, and said that Republican, who he did not name, said he would talk with GOP leadership.Foley said that’s a sign that House Republicans are united, and he said they plan to nominate a candidate for speaker when the legislature convenes in January. He said he’s betting it will be Minority Leader Tom Taylor.“Our caucus is stronger than it’s ever been,” Foley said today. He and Taylor are driving around the state to meet with Republican House members.I was unable to reach Lujan for comment Tuesday. I have been unable to reach Majority Leader Ken Martinez, who is challenging Lujan for speaker, since this ordeal began.After speaking with several House members Tuesday, I found a lot of uncertainty among Democrats. None seem to have a good grasp on how the vote will turn out, and many are still shocked that Martinez had the courage – or audacity, if you want to call it that – to challenge Lujan.Doña Ana County’s seven Democratic House members met over the weekend to discuss the situation. Continue Reading

LCPS board to take time on superintendent search

By |

The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education plans to move quickly to find an interim superintendent to stabilize the district.It sounds as though the board will wait at least a year to begin the process of hiring a permanent superintendent.At Tuesday’s meeting, board members formally appointed Elizabeth Marrufo as administrator in charge until an interim superintendent is hired. She will make an annual salary of $130,000 as long as she is in that position.They also agreed that board members John Schwebke and Chuck Davis will draft a plan to find an interim superintendent. It will be brought to the full board at its meeting on Dec. 19 for approval.Schwebke suggested that the board look for an interim superintendent from New Mexico – someone who is a former superintendent, perhaps – and that the board form a committee made up of teachers, parents, other school employees and members of the public to aid in the process.He suggested the board move as quickly as possible to find an interim chief.“The sooner we get some stability, the better,” Schwebke said.Board members seemed to agree with that, and also with Schwebke’s suggestion that the board wait at least a year before beginning the process of finding a permanent superintendent.“We want to bring stability to this, and if we rush it, that’s not going to happen,” board Member Gene Gant said.Before finalizing its plan, the board asked administrators to get feedback from teachers, parents, classified staff and students at meetings scheduled to be held in December. Continue Reading

BREAKING NEWS: Schwebke won’t run again

By |

Las Cruces Public Schools board member John Schwebke announced at tonight’s meeting that he won’t seek re-election in February.Schwebke, who represents District 4, has served on the board since 2002, when he replaced Jeanette Dickerson, who was recalled.With tears in his eyes, Schwebke said his father-in-law died earlier this year and his parents are in assisted living in Phoenix and need his attention.“I can’t run for the board. I just can’t do it,” Schwebke said. “… My parents come first. Anybody who is in this situation knows what I’m talking about.”Dec. 19 is filing day for the Feb. Continue Reading

BREAKING NEWS: Senate finance chair retires

By |

Sen. Joseph Fidel, D-Grants and chair of the finance committee, has retired.The move puts into play the most powerful committee chairmanship in the Senate at a time when there’s also turmoil in the House over who will be the next speaker.Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming and vice chair of the finance committee, called Fidel “a fine gentleman” who “brought a lot of wisdom to the Senate.”“I wish he’d been able to fulfill his term,” Smith said.Fidel was 84 and, though he had chaired the committee for the last two years, Smith did much of the chairmanship work. Fidel was the second-longest serving member of the Senate.Fidel had two years left on his current term, which will be filled by Gov. Bill Richardson. The governor’s office said a statement would be made shortly.Sen. Leonard “Lee” Rawson, R-Las Cruces and a member of the finance committee, said Fidel has done a good job.“I think most people would praise Joe as a gentleman, and I would echo that,” Rawson said.Smith is a possible replacement as finance chair. So is Sen. Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, who has seniority over Smith. He and Smith both sought the chairmanship the last time it came open.Sources told me Fidel has been planning this for months but wanted to wait until after the election. Continue Reading

UP Aerospace won’t launch again in 2006

By |

UP Aerospace won’t launch a second rocket from Spaceport America this year because it hasn’t yet figured out what went wrong with the first launch.The company had originally planned several launches before the end of 2006, but when the Sept. 25 launch went awry, those plans were put on hold. The company hasn’t yet figured out what happened, and won’t try another launch until it does.According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, the company has doubled the number of launches it plans in 2008 to make up for this year’s delays.This is another setback for the company and the spaceport. State officials need the data collected from a successful launch to space before they can submit an application for an FAA license. They can’t spend the more than $100 million appropriated last year by the legislature until they have the license.Virgin Galactic isn’t likely to sign a lease until the project moves forward.At the same time, officials don’t want a second, failed launch. Continue Reading

Diaz’s attorney says she will appeal firing

By |

Contrary to a prior news report in the Connecticut Post, fired Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Diaz will appeal her termination, her attorney, Larry White, told the Las Cruces Sun-News today.The Post quoted Diaz last week as saying she has “a lot of options” for what she’ll do next and she doesn’t plan to appeal her firing.In addition to saying she will appeal, White told the Sun-News he’s still awaiting formal notice from the district of Diaz’s firing. Once that is received, state law gives Diaz 20 days to appeal.The school board meets later today in closed session to begin discussing the appointment of an interim superintendent, but its members don’t expect to appoint one today, according to a separate article in the Sun-News. In the meantime, Elizabeth Marrufo remains the administrator in charge of the district.The public meeting of the school board begins at 6:30 p.m. at the administration building, 505 South Main Street. Continue Reading

Martinez seeking support for Lujan ouster

By |

House Majority Leader Ken Martinez is seeking support for a bid to unseat Speaker Ben Lujan.Before I go any further, kudos to Joe Monahan for reporting this before me. We’ve both been talking with people about it for days, but he found sources before I did who were willing to be quoted, albeit anonymously.When House Democrats meet Dec. 18, Martinez will need 22 of 42 votes to unseat Lujan. Even then, there won’t be certainty. Technically, the entire House votes to elect a speaker on the first day of the session. Continue Reading

Missouri columnist touts Richardson for president

By |

A columnist in a small city in Missouri is giving a boost to the potential presidential campaign of N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson.Bill Clark, who writes a regular column for the Columbia Daily Tribune, wrote in his most recent column that Richardson, “more than any candidate in either party, is qualified to lead our nation for the next eight years.”Columbia, according to the census, is a little bigger than Las Cruces.Clark cites Richardson’s Mexican roots and years of diplomatic work, in addition to his tenures as energy secretary and New Mexico governor. All that, Clark wrote, adds up to much more than any other potential candidate brings to the table.“The Republicans have John McCain, followed by a cast of lightweights known only to their families and local bridge and poker clubs,” Clark wrote. “The Democrats are a bit better off. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is a rising star in the Democrat heavens but has little experience in many areas vital for a sound presidency. Hillary Clinton? Continue Reading