{"id":38284,"date":"2012-03-23T17:38:11","date_gmt":"2012-03-23T23:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=38284"},"modified":"2012-03-23T23:14:34","modified_gmt":"2012-03-24T05:14:34","slug":"another-lawmaker-drops-out-more-could-be-kicked-off-ballot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/03\/another-lawmaker-drops-out-more-could-be-kicked-off-ballot\/","title":{"rendered":"Another lawmaker drops out; more could be kicked off ballot"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>

The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Heath Haussamen)<\/p><\/div>\n

Bernadette Sanchez is the eighth senator to decide against seeking re-election this year; seven legislative incumbents are among candidates who could be kicked off the ballot because they didn\u2019t list the numbers of the districts they were seeking on nominating petitions.<\/h4>\n
\"Sen.<\/a>

Sen. Bernadette Sanchez, D-Albuquerque<\/p><\/div>\n

State Sen. Bernadette Sanchez<\/a> abandoned her re-election bid today, and more candidates \u2013 including seven legislative incumbents \u2013 could be kicked off the ballot because they didn\u2019t comply with a new requirement to list the numbers of the districts they were seeking on nominating petitions.<\/p>\n

Sanchez\u2019s decision comes three days after she filed to run for re-election.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was struggling to make a decision and decided to go ahead and sign up to run on filing day to provide some additional days to make this important decision,\u201d the Albuquerque Democrat said in a prepared statement. \u201cAfter serious consideration and a need to focus on my health and well-being, I have decided not to seek re-election for the state Senate.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said she was proud of her work to curb predatory lending and prevent youth from \u201closing their lives to opiate addiction,\u201d but was \u201cconflicted about returning to the Legislature.\u201d She complained about \u201cstalling of important legislation and a lack of working together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result, moving New Mexico forward to ensure New Mexicans receive quality jobs, education, and health care they deserve has become increasingly difficult,\u201d Sanchez said.<\/p>\n

Her withdrawal leaves three Democrats in the District 26 race \u2013 Jacob Candelaria, the president of Equality New Mexico; former Albuquerque City Councilor and Bernalillo County Commissioner Steve Gallegos, and Carlos Jose Villanueva. There\u2019s no Republican running for the seat.<\/p>\n

Candelaria wished Sanchez well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough we disagree on many issues, I would like to thank Sen. Sanchez for her years of service. \u2026 It\u2019s not easy to serve, and she deserves our thanks,\u201d he said, adding that the race moves forward and he believes there\u2019s a \u201cclear choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Duran asks AG whether to disqualify others<\/h3>\n

Sanchez is the latest in a long list of state legislators to opt against seeking re-election this year. If a letter<\/a> Secretary of State Dianna Duran sent to Attorney General Gary King on Thursday is any indication, it\u2019s possible more incumbents and other candidates could be kicked off the ballot.<\/p>\n

Democratic Rep. Thomas Garcia<\/a> of Ocate, who is running against Sen. Pete Campos<\/a> of Las Vegas in the primary, has challenged Campos\u2019 candidacy, alleging that he failed to list the number of the district he was running for on his nominating petitions and is thus not qualified to run.<\/p>\n

A new provision the Legislature and governor added to the law last year requires candidates to list the district or division number of the office they\u2019re seeking on such petitions. Failure to list the number makes a nominating petition and all signatures on it invalid.<\/p>\n

Campos isn\u2019t the only incumbent or challenger affected. A bipartisan group of legislative and other candidates failed to list the district numbers of the offices they\u2019re seeking, according to Duran\u2019s letter. The legislative candidates are:<\/p>\n