{"id":38120,"date":"2012-03-21T07:15:26","date_gmt":"2012-03-21T13:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=38120"},"modified":"2012-03-21T12:01:21","modified_gmt":"2012-03-21T18:01:21","slug":"lots-of-legislative-races-are-worth-watching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/03\/lots-of-legislative-races-are-worth-watching\/","title":{"rendered":"Lots of legislative races are worth watching"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_35606\"  class=\"wp-caption module image alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 600px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35606\" title=\"Roundhouse\" src=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/Roundhouse.jpg\" alt=\"The Roundhouse in Santa Fe\" width=\"600\" height=\"322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/Roundhouse.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/Roundhouse-336x180.jpg 336w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/Roundhouse-300x161.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Heath Haussamen)<\/p><\/div>\n<h4>Several former lawmakers will try to rejoin the Legislature, and many who\u2019ve had free rides in the past won\u2019t this year. There are potentially competitive primary and general election contests all over the state.<\/h4>\n<p>The bottom line from candidate filing day seems to be that we have lots of potentially competitive state legislative races to watch this year in New Mexico.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/tag\/roundhouse\/\" target=\"_blank\">already written<\/a> about many of the more interesting races. Here\u2019s a list of some I\u2019ve not written about before that took shape when candidates filed on Tuesday:<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As expected, State Rep. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HCERV\" target=\"_blank\">Joseph Cervantes<\/a> of Las Cruces filed to run for the Senate seat being <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/03\/sen-nava-retiring-cervantes-seeking-her-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\">vacated by Cynthia Nava<\/a>. He\u2019ll face a primary challenge from former Sunland Park Mayor Jesus \u201cRuben\u201d Segura, who opted against running for a third term in that office four years ago. The winner will face Republican Brett Preston in the heavily Democratic-leaning district.<\/li>\n<li>Up north, Democratic Rep. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HGART\" target=\"_blank\">Thomas Garcia<\/a> of Ocate opted to challenge Sen. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SCAMP\" target=\"_blank\">Pete Campos<\/a> of Las Vegas in a primary rather than taking on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HSALA\" target=\"_blank\">Nick Salazar<\/a> of Ohkay Owingeh in the House. Redistricting put Garcia and Salazar in the same district and forced the choice. Salazar drew two primary opponents, and the winner will face a Republican in November.<\/li>\n<li>Former Sen. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetailsArchive.aspx?SponsorCode=SROBI+++++\" target=\"_blank\">Shannon Robinson<\/a> (yes, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2008\/05\/another-lawmaker-proves-the-need-for-ethics-reform\/\" target=\"_blank\">THAT Shannon Robinson<\/a>), a newly registered Republican who was a Democrat when he served in office, will run against the Democratic senator who unseated him in 2008, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SKELL\" target=\"_blank\">Tim Keller<\/a>\u00a0of Albuquerque.<\/li>\n<li>Former Republican Sen. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetailsArchive.aspx?SponsorCode=SSNYD+++++\" target=\"_blank\">H. Diane Snyder<\/a> \u2013 who Democrat <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SEICH\" target=\"_blank\">Tim Eichenberg<\/a> unseated four years ago \u2013 will try to retake the Albuquerque-area seat from him.<\/li>\n<li>Senate President Pro Tem <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SJENT\" target=\"_blank\">Tim Jennings<\/a>, D-Roswell, who had a free ride in 2008, won\u2019t have it so easy this time. He\u2019ll face one of two Republicans in November \u2013 Cliff Pirtle, who unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce in 2010, or Chad Hamill, the Roswell fire chief and a school board member.<\/li>\n<li>Democrat <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetailsArchive.aspx?SponsorCode=HCOTE\" target=\"_blank\">Nate Cote<\/a> of Organ will try to retake the House seat Republican <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HLITT\" target=\"_blank\">Rick Little<\/a> of Las Cruces took from him in 2010.<\/li>\n<li>Senate Finance Committee Chairman <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SSMIT\" target=\"_blank\">John Arthur Smith<\/a>, D-Deming, will face a primary challenge from Larry Martinez, a small businessman from Lordsburg. The winner will face Republican Russell G. Allen, the chairman of the Republican Party of Do\u00f1a Ana County and the owner of movie theaters in Las Cruces.<\/li>\n<li>Democrat Stephanie Richards, who nearly unseated Republican Rep. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetailsArchive.aspx?SponsorCode=HWALE+++++\" target=\"_blank\">Jeanette Wallace<\/a> of Los Alamos in 2010, will run against <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HHALJ\" target=\"_blank\">Jim W. Hall<\/a>, who replaced Wallace in the House when she died last year.<\/li>\n<li>Angie Spears, the Republican who Gov. Susana Martinez <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/02\/martinez-looks-to-unseat-legislative-foes\/\" target=\"_blank\">is backing<\/a> in her bid to replace the retiring <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SHARD\" target=\"_blank\">Clinton Harden<\/a> of Clovis in the Senate, won\u2019t have a free ride. Two other Republicans, John Patrick \u201cPat\u201d Woods and Mark Myers, also filed to run. No Democrats filed for the seat.<\/li>\n<li>Sen. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SSANB\" target=\"_blank\">Bernadette Sanchez<\/a> of Albuquerque will face three challengers in the Democratic primary \u2013 Jacob Candelaria, president of Equality New Mexico; former Albuquerque City Councilor Steve D. Gallegos; and Carlos Jose Vallanueva.<\/li>\n<li>Republican Rep. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HHAMI\" target=\"_blank\">Dianne Hamilton<\/a> of Silver City, who no Democrat has challenged since 2002, will face one of two Democrats \u2013 State Democratic Party Central Committee member Guadalupe Cano or former Silvery City Mayor Terry Fortenberry \u2013 this year.<\/li>\n<li>Four Democrats filed to run for the Albuquerque-area Senate seat <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SGRIR\" target=\"_blank\">Eric Griego<\/a> is vacating to run for Congress. They include <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetailsArchive.aspx?SponsorCode=STAYM\" target=\"_blank\">James Taylor<\/a>, who Griego beat to win the seat in 2008; State Rep. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmlegis.gov\/lcs\/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HCHAL\" target=\"_blank\">Eleanor Chavez<\/a>; Cecilia Romero Tkach, who has run unsuccessfully for the seat before; and businessman Michael Padilla. No Republicans filed to run for the seat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Additional links<\/h3>\n<p>That\u2019s just a sample. There are lots of interesting races around the state. You can learn more from the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nmtelegram.com\/2012\/03\/20\/primary-ballots-set-rundown-of-competitive-primaries-in-the-senate\/\" target=\"_blank\">New Mexico Telegram<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.capitolreportnewmexico.com\/?p=8754\" target=\"_blank\">Capitol Report New Mexico<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.abqjournal.com\/main\/2012\/03\/20\/politics\/rep-thomas-garcia-to-leave-house-take-on-fellow-democrat-in-senate.html\" target=\"_blank\">the Albuquerque Journal<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lcsun-news.com\/las_cruces-news\/ci_20218057\/full-slate-candidates-file-run-state-county-elections\" target=\"_blank\">the Las Cruces Sun-News<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.santafenewmexican.com\/Local%20News\/Redistricting-effects-evident-on-state-ballots-\" target=\"_blank\">The Santa Fe New Mexican<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kob.com\/article\/stories\/S2546681.shtml?cat=517\" target=\"_blank\">the Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You can also find a list of candidates who filed Tuesday on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sos.state.nm.us\/2012FilingMarch20.html\" target=\"_blank\">the Secretary of State\u2019s website<\/a>. Many filed in local counties instead of with that office, so if that list isn\u2019t complete, you can find the Bernalillo County list <a href=\"http:\/\/app.bernco.gov\/election\/?p_PageAlias=cf12\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> and the Do\u00f1a Ana County list <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/Documents\/2012DACPrimaryFilings.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>A prior version of this posting incorrectly stated that Allen was the former chairman of the Do\u00f1a Ana County Republican Party.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Several former lawmakers will try to rejoin the Legislature, and many who\u2019ve had free rides in the past won\u2019t this year. There are potentially competitive primary and general election contests all over the state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[156,107],"class_list":["post-38120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-and-analysis","tag-2012-election","tag-roundhouse"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38120\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}