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The race for Doña Ana County sheriff is a close one. 368 people voted in last week’s poll on this blog that asked whether Democrat Ralph Misquez or Republican Todd Garrison would win the race. That’s about three times the number of people who usually vote in the polls. Incumbent Garrison received 197 votes, or 54 percent. Misquez received 171 votes, or 46 percent. Continue Reading
Prosecutors are investigating allegations that the Democratic candidate for state auditor made unwanted sexual advances toward a campaign volunteer. No charges have been filed, and prosecutors say a review could take months. Political blogger Joe Monahan first reported earlier this week that a problem related to a “personal relationship” could force Jeff Armijo to quit the race for state auditor, but Monahan didn’t report specifics. In a Wednesday e-mail, Armijo told me he did not want to comment on “the rumors perpetuated by Mr. Monahan” and said no Democrats had asked him to resign, contrary to Monahan’s report. An article today in the Albuquerque Tribune reveals that these aren’t rumors at all. Continue Reading
It looks like the retrial of former state Treasurer Robert Vigil will proceed as planned beginning Sept. 5. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver denied Friday a motion by the defense to move the trial out of the state, according to the Associated Press. “It looks like the trial is going forward a week from Tuesday,” Vigil’s attorney, Sam Bregman, told the news service. “We are hopeful we can empanel a fair and impartial jury to ensure Robert Vigil gets a fair trial.” Bregman had argued that pretrial publicity and campaign advertisements in the nasty race between U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson and Democratic challenger Patricia Madrid, which have focused on public corruption, tainted the entire state. Continue Reading
Public records related to the investigation into allegations that Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza is using drugs also reveal some previously secret details of separate probes into other alleged misconduct by Garza. The July 20 affidavit of Nicole Gonzales, included Wednesday in a public filing with the New Mexico Supreme Court, deals with the publicly known investigation into allegations that Garza is using drugs, but is also listed as relating to two of five other investigations of alleged misconduct by Garza. Those five investigations were justification for the high court’s decision earlier this month to suspend Garza with pay until Nov. 3 while the Judicial Standards Commission investigates. But the high court sealed the file in that case, so details weren’t previously known. Continue Reading
Suspended Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza lashed out Thursday at the board that is investigating allegations that he’s using drugs. The Judicial Standards Commission filed a request Wednesday that the New Mexico Supreme Court immediately suspend Garza without pay, force him to undergo urine and hair tests for illegal drugs, and explain why he should not be held in contempt for refusing the commission’s previous demand for the tests. In comments published in the Las Cruces Sun-News this morning, Garza said he’s getting a raw deal. “This time I am fighting it,” Garza told the newspaper. “This is a very serious matter. Continue Reading
Another new candidate Web site has been brought to my attention. Lorenzo Garcia, the Republican running for state auditor, has a site that can be found at http://www.lgarcia4auditor.com/. If you know of any other new sites, let me know. Continue Reading
Fernando Macias says “a tremendous outpouring of support for the candidacy” helped convince Gov. Bill Richardson to appoint him a district judge. “A strong base of support statewide… lent credibility to my application,” the former state senator said. In appointing Macias to the children’s court, Richardson opted for the politically risky choice, but, Richardson supporters tell me, he believed Macias would make a better judge. Bernadette Sedillo was the politically safer candidate and had many supporters in this community. Many others didn’t support her simply because they weren’t impressed by her experience and interviews. Continue Reading
I’ve uploaded some of the documents in the case of Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza that were filed Wednesday with the New Mexico Supreme Court. Here they are: Petition for immediate suspension, etc.Page 1 • Page 2 • Page 3 • Page 4Page 5 • Page 6 • Page 7 • Page 8 Affidavit of Nicole GonzalesPage 1 • Page 2 • Page 3 Affidavit of Melinda GamboaPage 1 • Page 2 • Page 3 Letter from Magistrate Advisory CommitteePage 1 • Page 2 Continue Reading
Carlos Garza’s future as a Doña Ana County magistrate judge may be in doubt after allegations that he intentionally violated an order from the Judicial Standards Commission requiring him to submit to a drug test. Wednesday’s filing seeks Garza’s immediate suspension with pay, an order from the high court that he undergo urine and hair tests for illegal drugs, and an order that he explain why he should not be held in contempt for refusing the commission’s demand for the tests. The commission sought the tests because of allegations that Garza has been using illegal drugs for several months. Garza’s problems are beginning to stack up. He is already on suspension with pay until Nov. Continue Reading
Gov. Bill Richardson is out of the state again. He’s in Austin, Texas today to participate in a meeting of border governors from the United States and Mexico, according to a news release from the governor’s office. He’s then headed to Aspen, Colo., to take part in a weekend conference for the Democratic Governor’s Association, which he chairs. While in Austin, Richardson and Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will introduce a resolution they are sponsoring on border security and immigration that declares a commitment of governors on both sides of the border to work together to solve problems. Richardson will return Sunday afternoon to New Mexico. Continue Reading
Former State Sen. Fernando Macias has been named to fill a new district judgeship in Las Cruces, several sources confirmed today. An announcement is expected later today. Gov. Bill Richardson spent about two weeks considering Democrats Macias and Bernadette Sedillo before making the decision early this morning. Macias will be one of two judges on the children’s court. Macias was the more controversial of the two candidates, and the governor will take some heat for appointing him. Continue Reading
The New Mexico Supreme Court has been asked to force Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Carlos Garza to submit to a drug test while the commission investigates allegations that he may be using drugs. Garza is already on suspension with pay until November while the Judicial Standards Commission investigates serious allegations against him. The details of those allegations aren’t known because that file has been sealed. The commission filed a new petition Wednesday asking the court to strip the pay from Garza’s suspension, order him to submit to a drug test, and demand that he explain why he has refused a drug test. The commission does have powers related to obtaining judges’ medical records, but whether they apply to forcing drug tests may be an untested area of law. Continue Reading
Here’s a word for all elected officials around New Mexico: Politics aren’t always about you. Astronomers from across the world declared today at a conference in the Czech Republic that Pluto, discovered in 1930 by former New Mexico State University professor Clyde Tombaugh, is no longer classified as the ninth planet in the solar system. You can read about it from the Associated Press. This has been a long, hard battle, but the International Astronomical Union’s declaration is official. Textbooks will have to be rewritten, and locals who hold a special place in their heart for Pluto will be disappointed. Continue Reading
Republican gubernatorial candidate John Dendahl is challenging Gov. Bill Richardson to “stop lying about” his intent to run for president “and respect New Mexico voters by being up front with them.” Richardson has said repeatedly he hasn’t decided whether he’ll run in 2008 and must first focus on being re-elected governor; meanwhile, he has continued to make appearances at all the places 2008 contenders show up. “The voters aren’t stupid,” Dendahl said in a news release. “Their towns are struggling with flooding. Their schools are failing, and violent criminals are let out to run loose in our communities. Yet our governor is usually nowhere to be found unless you look out of state. Continue Reading
Hatch Mayor Judd Nordyke has announced that bank accounts have been established in Hatch and Las Cruces so people can make cash donations to assist flood victims in his community. Donations can be made in Hatch at Bank of the Southwest, located at 138 East Hall Street, and in Las Cruces at First Community Bank, which has locations at 277 East Amador Ave. and 3090 Roadrunner Parkway. The accounts are set up in the name of “Hatch Flood Victims.” If you can’t give time, maybe you can give a bit of money. Maybe some of our candidates for office this year can give some cash. Continue Reading