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The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site said Steve Pearce will win the Republican U.S. Senate primary. Of 218 voters, 136, or 62 percent, said Pearce will win, while 82, or 38 percent, said Heather Wilson will win. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading
Jesus Caro has officially announced his candidacy for the District 33 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Caro is a Democrat and the mayor pro-tem of the town of Mesilla. He said in a news release that he is running based on his belief that, as a lifelong resident of Doña Ana County and native of Mesilla, he can “better represent the values, interests and fundamental principles shared by the majority of my constituents.” “I am a person of integrity and strong family values who will represent and work closely with other county and state-elected officials to provide greatly needed resources and services to our often-times forgotten people, colonias, and municipalities of Doña Ana County,” he said. Caro said his major issues include water, smart growth, quality of life, health care, education, environmental concerns including air quality, veterans benefits, uncontrolled gasoline, oil-product price gouging and protecting the state “from becoming the hazardous waste dumping grounds of the nation.” Caro will face incumbent Rep. Joni Gutierrez, D-Mesilla, in the primary. Continue Reading
“Our enemies are peaceful when they’re weak, are ruthless when they’re strong, demand mercy when they’re losing, show no mercy when they’re winning. … This is a total war.” – Newt Gingrich © 2008 Michael Swickard, Ph.D. The American peace movement is gaining strength in our country. I do not question the sincerity of their beliefs. But in the name of peace they are fueling the next global war. Winston Churchill wrote of the 1930s peace movement, “…the zealous advocacy of peace led to war, not peace. Continue Reading
By Carter Bundy This week is an unusual one, because the religious calendar and political events seem to have converged in an unusual way. For the last week, the controversy over Barack Obama’s pastor has led many Americans to question what it means to be a member of a particular church. The furor over Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s sermons was so great as to cause one of the three finalists for most powerful person on the planet to essentially put his campaign on hold while he penned his thoughts that arose from the controversy. Obama’s speech, to his great credit, didn’t focus on the narrow question of the relationship between pastor and flock. Rather, he dealt with bigger questions: How do – and how should – we interact with those who are different from ourselves? Continue Reading
Gov. Bill Richardson today endorsed Barack Obama for president. I’ll have analysis when I return to work on Tuesday, but for now you can read more from the Associated Press by clicking here. Here’s the statement from Richardson released by the Obama campaign: “Today I am endorsing Senator Barack Obama for president of the United States because I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America’s moral leadership in the world,” Richardson said. “As a presidential candidate, I know full well Senator Obama’s unique ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation.” Here’s what Obama had to say about Richardson: “Whether it was as a congressman or cabinet secretary, ambassador or governor, there are few more distinguished public servants in America than Governor Richardson, and I am deeply honored to have his support,” Obama said. “He knows that to secure American interests, we have to talk to our enemies, as well as our friends, which is why he stood up to North Korea and Saddam Hussein to secure the release of American hostages. Continue Reading
Tomorrow marks the start of Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics’ third year. This site had 88 unique visitors and 157 page views on its first day, March 20, 2006. Last month, the site had approximately 32,000 unique visitors and 65,000 page views. That wasn’t a typical month, as exposure on a couple of national sites increased traffic significantly, but this site is regularly drawing 800-1,000 unique visitors and 1,500-2,000 page views each weekday. As this site begins its third year, I want to thank you – the readers, advertisers, financial contributors and others – for making it possible. Continue Reading
Silver City resident Joseph Gros has entered the race for state senator in the 28th District. Gros, senior pastor at Calvary Chapel of Silver City, said in a news release that he is running to represent an agenda reflective of the values and issues of the people in Grant, Socorro and Catron counties. “Southern New Mexican values have been under attack in recent sessions,” the Republican said. “In the last session alone, legislators tried to pass a domestic-partnership bill that would cost the taxpayers and bring us closer to redefining marriage. That is the type of legislation that is not needed and I would fight against once elected.” Gros has been leading Calvary Chapel for 15 years. Continue Reading
For many in New Mexico’s legal community, there is the pre-Brennan era and the post-Brennan era. The pre-Brennan era ended on a fateful night in May 2004 when John Brennan, then the chief judge of the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque, was charged with drunken driving and cocaine possession after allegedly trying to evade a sobriety checkpoint. He later pleaded guilty to the charges. The event was a catalyst that triggered a new era in which the Supreme Court cracked down on misbehaving judges and provided confidential help for those who voluntarily sought treatment for substance abuse and other problems. In addition, the Legislature and governor doubled the funding for the Judicial Standards Commission, the state board charged with investigating allegations of judicial misconduct and making recommendations for discipline to the high court. As a result more than 10 judges, including four from Doña Ana County, have left the bench in recent years though resignation, retirement or removal following action by the commission. Continue Reading
Attorney Joel A. Davis has announced his candidacy for the District 10 seat in the state Senate. Calling himself a “young Democratic gun” in a news release, Davis said he’s running a campaign on change and will bring a fresh approach and energized leadership to the Senate. “I am the democratic candidate that will represent my bi-city district with equal representation and strong leadership,” he said of the district that is split between Bernalillo and Sandoval counties. “My primary motivation for seeking office is to follow the call of my district and my heart to make a positive difference in New Mexicans’ lives,” Davis said. “I will be a positive voice for change.” Davis is a local attorney who owns and practices in a general-practice law firm located in downtown Albuquerque. Continue Reading
Former Doña Ana County Republican Party Chair Sid Goddard filed on Tuesday to run for county clerk. He’s the only Republican in the race. Four Democrats, including incumbent Rita Torres, will battle in June for the right to face Goddard in November. Goddard, whose suggestion led to the 2006 election reform task force created by the county commission, said that group, of which he was a part, did good work and has helped improve elections, but many issues remain unaddressed. For example, he said, there are 20,000 or more people on the county’s list of registered voters who, for various reasons, should not be. Continue Reading
Well-known Roosevelt county resident and fourth-generation New Mexican Matt Rush has declared his candidacy for state House of Representatives District 63. “There is no story I enjoy to tell more than the story of New Mexico agriculture,” Rush, a Republican, said in a news release. “After a lifetime of service and leadership within the American farm and ranch community, the time is now right for me to serve the people of New Mexico in Santa Fe.” Rush’s family homesteaded in Roosevelt County during the early 1900s, and Rush continues the farming and ranching tradition of his great-great-grandfather. To support his farming and ranching operation, Rush travels the country as a professional speaker, conducting leadership and motivational seminars. He has represented American agriculture in Germany as part of an agricultural exchange program, currently serves on the Berea Children’s Home Board of Directors, the Washington, D.C.-based Foundation for Agriculture Board of Directors and is president of the Roosevelt County Farm & Livestock Bureau. Continue Reading
John Blair, Democratic candidate for state Senate District 15, yesterday submitted more than 2,000 signatures with his declaration of candidacy at the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office. “Voters are hungry for new leadership and fresh ideas in Santa Fe,” Blair said in a news release announcing his candidacy. “The overwhelming support we received in the district shows that Democrats are behind us and will give us the edge in June.” Blair was only required to submit 69 signatures, but said he has walked more than 125 miles to talk with voters about their concerns and his goals and gather signatures. His campaign has knocked on more than 3,200 doors in the district, with Blair personally knocking on more than 2,200, the release states. Blair estimates that he’ll need 2,500 votes to win the primary, and he’s excited by the early response to his “message of change.” “It has been hard work, but time very well spent getting to know everyone I can in the district,” he said. Continue Reading
A 2008 election season that was already memorable in New Mexico because of the number of open seats in Congress became even more interesting in Doña Ana County today when candidate filing day revealed a number of contested primary and general-election races. Perhaps most interesting locally is the race for Doña Ana County clerk. Rita Torres is seeking re-election, but she’s being challenged in the Democratic primary by two of her employees – Martha Lucero and Elections Supervisor Lynn Ellins. Joining those three in the Democratic primary is former Mesilla town Clerk Yolanda Lucero. And on the Republican side, former county Republican Party Chair Sid Goddard filed today to run for clerk. Continue Reading
House Minority Whip Dan Foley, R-Roswell, announced today that he’s seeking re-election this year. The District 57 representative has served five terms in the Legislature, and wants a sixth. “I want to continue the success we’ve had in the first 10 years,” Foley said in an interview. “Clearly, we’ve built a foundation from which to make New Mexico, specifically District 57, better.” Foley cited among his successes his tough stances on crime and border security. He said in his first year in the Legislature he voted for Megan’s Law, and this year his was one of the key votes that helped pass domestic violence legislation being pushed by the governor. Continue Reading
Citing concerns about the health of Doña Ana County Clerk Rita Torres, the county’s elections supervisor, Lynn Ellins, filed today to run against her in the Democratic primary for clerk. “This was not a decision easily arrived at, as it puts me in opposition to County Clerk Rita Torres, for whom I have the utmost respect and affection,” Ellins said in a news release. “However, many of us are concerned about her health and stamina and her ability to successfully complete what promises to be a long general election campaign.” Ellins said he decided to run “at the urging of many Doña Ana County citizens.” Ellins, an attorney, is a former committee counsel to the New York State Legislature, a former Regent for the University of Colorado and a former Deputy Secretary of State in Colorado. Torres hired him in 2006 to clean up elections in the county, which had a history of problems but has had smooth elections since he took over. Democrats and Republicans alike have praised the elections staff, under Ellins’ leadership, for professionalism and competence. Continue Reading