More profiles of statewide, congressional races

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Check out the Las Cruces Sun-News’ profile of the gubernatorial race between Democratic incumbent Bill Richardson and Republican challenger John Dendahl by clicking here. Check out the Sun-News’ profile of the lieutenant governor race between Democratic incumbent Diane Denish and Republican challenger Sue Wilson Beffort by clicking here. Check out the Sun-News’ profile of the attorney general race between Democrat Gary King and Republican Jim Bibb by clicking here. Check out the Albuquerque Tribune’s profile of the land commissioner race between incumbent Republican Pat Lyons and Democratic challenger Jim Baca by clicking here. Check out the Sun-News’ profile of the 2nd Congressional District race between Republican incumbent Steve Pearce and Democratic challenger Al Kissling by clicking here. Continue Reading

Journal polls reveal tightest races in the state

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A new Albuquerque Journal poll confirms that Pat Lyons is gaining slightly on Jim Baca in the land commissioner race. The gain wasn’t unexpected. Fundraising by Republican incumbent Lyons dwarfs that of Baca, the Democratic challenger. In the newest poll, 42 percent supported Baca and 40 percent supported Lyons, with 18 percent undecided. In early October, a Journal poll had Baca up four points. Continue Reading

Here is video of entire Pearce/Kissling debate

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Update, 9:30 p.m.For some reason, having the actual video of the forum on this site was conflicting with other elements on this page for Internet Explorer users, so I had to remove it. You can still view the debate video by clicking here.***After much delay, here is the entire 56-minute video of the Aug. 22, 2006 candidate forum between U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., and his challenger, Democrat Al Kissling. The video was produced by KRWG-TV in Las Cruces. It was never broadcast because Pearce, a debate ducker, wouldn’t allow it, and FCC rules require the approval of both candidates, according to the station. Continue Reading

Poll: Steinborn leading Witt in House race

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In the District 37 House race, 60 percent who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said the Democrat will win. Democrat Jeff Steinborn received 218 votes, or 60 percent. Republican Scott Witt received 148 votes, or 40 percent. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located near the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

Check out profiles of House, auditor races

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The Las Cruces Sun-News profiled today the House District 53 race between incumbent Republican Terry Marquardt and Democratic challenger Nate Cote. You can read it by clicking here. Also, check out the Albuquerque Tribune’s profile of the state auditor race between Democrat Hector Balderas and Republican Lorenzo Garcia by clicking here. Continue Reading

Former staffer accuses Democratic treasurer candidate of falsely reporting contributions

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The former chief fundraiser for the Democrats’ candidate for state treasurer has accused the candidate of filing false campaign contribution reports, according to the Albuquerque Tribune. James B. Lewis and the Democratic Party say it isn’t true. The secretary of state is investigating. Rosetta Stewart has accused Lewis in a notarized affidavit of inaccurately reporting campaign contributions on several occasions, according to the newspaper. The claims are that Lewis: • told Stewart a $500 contribution given by an unnamed man would be made to “look like his son La Ron Lewis contributed it,” according to the Tribune. Continue Reading

Were it possible for Richardson to have a bad week, this would be it

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Were it possible for a man likely to get close to 60 percent of the vote in November to have a bad week, this would be it. First Gov. Bill Richardson’s opponent, John Dendahl, was given free airtime on an Albuquerque television station because Richardson refused to debate. Then, the national Republican Governors’ Association announced it will run ads in New Mexico in the next couple of weeks calling on voters to ask Richardson to “tell us the truth… The White House, or us?” That’s according to the Albuquerque Journal. And last, this from the Santa Fe New Mexican: Richardson has lost his much touted grade of a “B” from the conservative Cato Institute. It appears the group finally figured out Richardson isn’t quite the tax-cutting governor he claims to be. Continue Reading

Locatelli admits to acting out of anger, letting personal feelings affect judicial demeanor

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Las Cruces Municipal Judge James T. Locatelli admits that he let anger and personal feelings affect actions related to his decision to issue contempt of court charges against two attorneys in 2004. Locatelli apparently lost his temper with both attorneys during a court hearing he called on Oct. 25, 2004. “I admit to being angry, and will accept appropriate sanctions for that. I do regret letting my personal feelings affect my judicial demeanor,” Locatelli said in a response to the Judicial Standards Commission’s investigation, according to court records. Continue Reading

BREAKING NEWS: High court asked to discipline Locatelli after commission finds misconduct

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The New Mexico Supreme Court has been asked to discipline Las Cruces Municipal Judge James T. Locatelli for improperly holding two attorneys in contempt and for failing to recuse himself from cases in which he should not have been involved. The Judicial Standards Commission filed its petition for discipline Tuesday. It seeks a purging of the contempt charges, a formal reprimand, formal mentorship, an ethics course, and reimbursement of the commission’s costs and expenses. At issue is a shoplifting case from 2004 that was later appealed by the defendant’s attorney to district court. After the appeal, Locatelli issued contempt citations for then-Assistant City Attorney Richard Jacquez, who argued for the city on the appeal, and the attorney who argued the appeal for the defendant, Marcia Milner, according to the commission’s petition. Continue Reading

Sheriff hopefuls talk about improving department

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Instead of writing about the League of Women Voters forum for candidates for Doña Ana County sheriff, I am providing you with video, so you can hear their own words. The first video is Republican Sheriff Todd Garrison giving his opening statement. The second video is Democratic challenger Ralph Misquez giving his opening statement. The third video is both candidates answering the only question that was asked of them (it was a short forum). Continue Reading

Magistrate judge candidates trade barbs

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The Republican candidate in the Doña Ana County magistrate judge Division II race attacked his opponent at Tuesday’s League of Women Voters forum. Republican Steve Foldy said he does not consider Democrat Joseph Guillory an incumbent, even though Gov. Bill Richardson appointed Guillory to the bench four months ago. Foldy, a corporal with the sheriff’s department, said he is more versed in the law than Guillory, who was recently endorsed by the Las Cruces Sun-News. “The Sun-News may not have a good track record when it comes to endorsements,” Foldy said, making a reference to former Magistrate Judge Reuben Galvan, who resigned last year amid rape and bribery allegations. Galvan had been endorsed by the newspaper. Continue Reading

Assessor candidates discuss taxes, tell jokes

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The candidates for Doña Ana County assessor revealed stark differences during Tuesday’s League of Women Voters forum. Democrat Gary Pérez, the incumbent, touted years of experience at every level in the assessor’s office, and said his only goal is to do a good job. “I am a candidate who has experience,” Pérez said. “I’m not a politician. I’m a person who cares about that office.” Republican challenger H.F. “Junior” Adams said he is “not a ‘yes’ man” and is the candidate voters should pick if they want ethical government. Continue Reading

County commission candidates discuss growth

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Candidates for two seats on the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners shared their views during Tuesday’s League of Women Voters forum. District 1 Commissioner Oscar Vasquez Butler, a Democrat, said one of his main concerns is getting out of the state-mandated extraterritorial zoning authority, which creates a joint board of the county and City of Las Cruces that oversees development in a five-mile area around the city. “I have a deep concern with being in the ETZ,” Butler said. “I think it’s time we reconsider and the county takes control of its own destiny.” Growth and related issues were the main topics discussed during the forum. Butler, who wants a moratorium on development in and around arroyos, blamed developers for what he called “uncontrolled growth.” Butler’s opponent, Republican John Zimmerman, said there is “some uncontrolled growth,” but said there are other, more pressing issues, and other problems that contributed to this summer’s flooding. Continue Reading