Armijo to File Suit Today to Stay on Ballot, Cancel SCC Meeting

An Albuquerque Tribune article reports that embattled State Auditor candidate Jeff Armijo plans to file suit today in state court against the decision to take him off the ballot, and also to stop the NM Democratic Party from holding its State Central Committee meeting Saturday to choose a replacement. Some of his supporters may also file a suit in U.S. District Court:

Democratic state auditor candidate Jeff Armijo plans to pursue his spot on this fall's ballot in state court, according to an announcement sent to The Tribune this afternoon by his attorney.

Attorney Paul Kienzle said Armijo supporters also are considering a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to contest what they say is disenfranchisement.

"The federal district court may have the final word on the matter," the release says.

... "Until this past Tuesday, the withdrawal rule was that a candidate had to provide a signed, written statement," Kienzle said. "Those laws, rules and customs now mean nothing. Political expediency and political power brokers determine who is on the general election ballot."

The Secretary of State's Office says there is nothing in state election code outlining the steps a candidate must take. Nothing is in law requiring a letter be sent to the office when a candidate withdraws, Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron, a Democrat, said Wednesday.

Albuquerque's KRQE News 13 reported this on the story yesterday:

We're very confident that we're going to be able to successfully challenge the decision that the secretary of state made so I can stay on the ballot as the Democratic candidate for state auditor,” [Jeff ]Armijo told KRQE News 13.

Armijo insisted he still is the Democratic and said he plans to march in the New Mexico State Fair Parade promoting his campaign on Saturday.

Visit their website for more, including video of yesterday's newscast coverage of the story.