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Wealthy developer enters race against Domenici

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A political newcomer with a lot of money has decided to challenge U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici next year. Santa Fe developer and Democrat Don Wiviott has been considering the race for a couple of months, but told Joe Monahan on Wednesday that he’s officially running and will start the campaign with $400,000 of his own money. He’s willing to spend up to $1 million, if necessary, he told Monahan. Wiviott joins two other Democrats who have entered the race against the state’s GOP senator – Jim Hannan of Santa Fe, a former staffer to the late U.S. Rep. Mo Udall, D-Ariz., and Leland Lehrman of Lamy, an alternative media journalist and Web designer. Neither has as much money as Wiviott, but both have been active – Lehrman through the online newsletter he publishes and Hannan through advertisements in newspapers in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and his campaign Web site. Continue Reading

Domenici’s poll numbers may be stabilizing

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s approval rating has dropped for the fourth consecutive month, but only slightly, and his support has actually increased in some key areas. Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s approval rating has also dropped. The decline in support for the Republican Domenici and Democratic Bingaman might indicate overall frustration with issues that include rising gas prices and a Congress that has failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform. It’s possible that, unless the U.S. attorney scandal worsens, Domenici’s approval rating has bottomed out. In the newest survey, conducted June 8-10, Domenici has a 51-percent approval rating, down from 52 percent a month ago. Continue Reading

Commission backs Otero Mesa drilling moratorium

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The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners voted today to support a moratorium on drilling on the Otero Mesa to allow completion of a study of the water underneath. Commissioners voted 5-0 in support of the resolution. Before its passage, they tacked on a resolution requiring the body to revisit its support of the moratorium upon completion of the study or after three years, whichever comes first. Commissioner Bill McCamley, who presented the resolution, spoke about the region’s drought and growth, saying the area will need more water in the future. A recent study estimated that there could be 57 million acre-feet of groundwater – 15 million of them potable – under the Otero Mesa, which is recharged by surface water runoff that some fear could be polluted by drilling. Continue Reading

Domenici votes against no-confidence resolution

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici rejected calls for his recusal and voted today against a resolution of no confidence in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The resolution failed when a motion to end debate and proceed to a vote received 53 votes, with 38 against it. It needed 60 to pass. Citing Domenici’s involvement in the ongoing U.S. attorney controversy, the Democratic Party of New Mexico called Friday for him to recuse himself from today’s vote. That controversy, which includes the firing of former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias of New Mexico, was the primary reason Democrats sought passage of the resolution that would have increased pressure for Gonzales’ ouster. Continue Reading

On proposed drilling moratorium, Pearce plans to back whatever position the Interior Department takes

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U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., hasn’t taken a position on a proposed moratorium on drilling on the Otero Mesa because he wants to see what the experts in the Interior Department think about the idea. Pearce plans to wait for the Interior Department to take a position and support it, spokesman Brian Phillips said. “There’s all this political rigmarole, but why don’t we let the experts tell us what they need,” Phillips said. The proposed delay in leasing land for oil and gas drilling has the support of three of New Mexico’s elected officials in Washington – Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Rep. Tom Udall and Republican Sen. Pete Domenici – who have written letters to the Interior Department asking that the Bureau of Land Management put its planned drilling program on hold to allow completion of a water study. A 2006 federal study estimated that there could be 57 million acre-feet of groundwater – 15 million of them potable – under the Otero Mesa, which is recharged by surface water runoff that some fear could be polluted by drilling. Continue Reading

Immigration overhaul proposal on life support

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A proposal to reform the nation’s immigration system is on life support after it failed to pass an important test vote earlier today. That came after the Senate, by one vote, opted shortly after midnight to add an amendment that would eliminate the nation’s guest-worker program after five years. You might recall that, days ago, the Senate approved an amendment by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., to cut the guest worker program in half, from 400,000 to 200,000. Bingaman’s successful proposal followed the Senate’s vote against a proposed amendment from Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D, to eliminate the guest-worker program altogether. The new amendment approved this morning came from Dorgan. Continue Reading

McCamley wants commission to support drilling delay

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Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley wants his peers to approve a resolution supporting the postponement of oil and gas drilling on the Otero Mesa until a study of the water underneath it is complete. The delay has the support of three of New Mexico’s elected officials in Washington – Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Rep. Tom Udall and Republican Sen. Pete Domenici – who have all asked the Bush Administration to put off leasing the land. U.S. Rep. and Hobbs oilman Steve Pearce, R-N.M., whose district includes the Otero Mesa, has thus far been silent on the issue. McCamley, a Democrat, is vying for the right to take on Pearce next year, but so is Al Kissling. McCamley said the resolution, which commissioners will consider on Tuesday, is not politically motivated. Continue Reading

Brunner says he isn’t running for Congress

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Terry Brunner, state director for the office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., has decided he won’t run for Congress next year. Brunner had been considering running against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., but said he is happy with the other candidates considering the race. The only Democrat to officially be in the running is Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich. “I see some great people stepping up and getting in to the race, and I think the important thing is that we have a great candidate,” Brunner told me. While we’re on the topic, the Rothenberg Political Report has a new analysis of New Mexico’s First Congressional District race. Continue Reading

Democrats off to quick start in online fundraising

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At least two Democrats trying to unseat New Mexico’s Republican representatives in Washington, D.C. are off to a quick start in raising money online. Bill McCamley, who is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., has received 17 contributions totaling $5,395 through ActBlue, an online contribution Web site for Democratic candidates. Martin Heinrich, who wants the seat held by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., has received 31 contributions totaling $4,450. The site is an example of how Democrats have effectively used the Internet to organize in ways the GOP has missed. Pearce has a campaign Web site up, but people can’t contribute to through it. Continue Reading

Support for Domenici drops once again

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s approval rating has fallen once again. The most recent SurveyUSA poll, conducted May 11-13, found that 52 percent of New Mexicans approve and 42 percent disapprove of the job the republican is doing. It’s the lowest approval rating for the senator since at least May 2005. The survey of 600 adults has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percent. By comparison, those surveyed gave U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., a 63 percent approval rating. Continue Reading

State police increase patrols after Palomas shootings

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Gov. Bill Richardson has ordered the New Mexico State Police to increase its presence along the Mexican border in response to violence that has left at least six people dead in Palomas, located across the border from Columbus in Luna County. Officials say the violence is part of an escalating drug war on the Mexican side of the border. Though there has been no related violence in Columbus, victims have fled to the port of entry. “I want to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep New Mexicans in this community safe,” Richardson said in a news release. As a result of Richardson’s order, State Police have indefinitely increased patrols in and around the town of Columbus, located south of Deming. Continue Reading

Senators seek compromise on immigration reform

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., is part of a bipartisan group of a dozen senators working behind closed doors on a potential new immigration reform plan, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting. Instead of a path to citizenship, an expanded guest worker program could be at the center of the new proposal. The bill could come to the Senate floor within days. Then again, it might not. It’s going to be difficult to work out a compromise. Continue Reading

White Sands to get new engineering battalion

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New Mexico’s senators announced today that the U.S. Army plans to station a new engineering battalion at White Sands Missile Range, increasing the base’s population by about 245. The move is part of a plan to increase the size of the Army by 65,000 soldiers in the next six years. The Army will move its 70th Engineering Battalion and reflag it as the WSMR 2nd Engineer Battalion in June of next year. “This move will be very good for the Army and WSMR,” said U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, who serves on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “White Sands offers an ideal research and test facility for the Army and I have no doubt the military personnel who will be stationed there will be warmly welcomed by the entire region.” “This is terrific news for White Sands Missile Range. Continue Reading

Domenici’s approval rating continues to drop

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U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s approval rating continues to drop. Last month’s SurveyUSA poll, conducted March 12, found that 57 percent of New Mexicans approved and 35 disapproved of the job the New Mexico Republican is doing. It was the lowest approval rating for the senior senator since at least May 2005. Now it’s lower. The newest poll, conducted April 13-15 and released Wednesday, has Domenici’s approval rating at 54 percent, with 38 percent saying they disapprove of the job he’s doing. Continue Reading

Homans won’t challenge Wilson in 2008, but other Democrats move toward becoming official candidates

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New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans has decided he won’t challenge U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., next year, but a number of other Democrats are moving closer to becoming official candidates and battling for the right to face her. Homans, whose potential candidacy had the backing of Gov. Bill Richardson, said he has decided against running “after serious consideration.” “My reasons for not running are personal and logistical and I believe that the Democrats have a very real opportunity to win the seat in 2008 if we put up a strong candidate,” Homans said Wednesday. “I look forward to supporting that candidate and helping our party bring Heather Wilson back home to New Mexico.” He didn’t elaborate, but his decision follows a meeting last week with a representative of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Meanwhile, a number of other Democrats are seriously considering getting into the race. Former University of New Mexico President Louis Caldera was in Washington on Wednesday to talk with a number of officials about the possibility of running for the First Congressional District seat. Continue Reading