Democracy for New Mexico

Eric Griego Files for Senate District 14 with Strong Petition Support

From the Eric Griego campaign:
Eric Griego filed all necessary paperwork in Santa Fe yesterday for State Senate in District 14, including 645 petition signatures, which represents 20 percent of all residents who voted in the last Democratic primary. 

Senate District 14 includes the Barelas neighborhood where Eric was born and raised along with several other neighborhoods in Albuquerque, much of the South Valley, Isleta Pueblo, East Mountain communities and the Bosque Farms area in Valencia County.  As a former Albuquerque City Councilor, Eric represented nearly one third of the Senate district from 2001-2005. Since January, Eric has walked every weekend and, along with volunteers, has worked tirelessly to meet and talk with voters at their doors.   

"The message I'm getting from talking to voters at their doors is that we need a change in the way things are done in Santa Fe," Griego said. "Many voters in this district feel their State Senator must make sure that the basic needs of our district like roads and schools are a priority."

A total of 54 nominating signatures from voters in District were required; Eric turned in 645.  Eric previously represented eight of the 29 precincts in Senate District 14, and he won most of them in his City Council election and in his 2005 Mayoral campaign.   

"Voters I have talked to want a state senator who is committed to championing the interests of our community - not the special interests of corporate lobbyists," Griego said. "In addition to working to address the important state policy issues like healthcare for all, better schools and ethics reform, they want their senator to help get the roads, parks and community facilities that improve the quality of life for our families."

Eric will likely face incumbent James Taylor in the Democratic Primary on June 3, 2008, assuming Taylor files the minimum number of valid petition signatures.

Eric has over two decades of practicing, teaching and studying public policy, including work at the local, state, national and international level.  In addition to his prior elected office as an Albuquerque City Councilor, he has served as the Assistant Secretary of Economic Development for New Mexico. Today, he is the Executive Director of New Mexico Voices for Children, a non-profit policy, research and advocacy organization.

More can be found about Eric Griego at his website www.ericgriegofornewmexico.com.

Brian Egolf Files for State Rep District 17: Unopposed in Race

Brian Egolf and daughter Cameron handing signatures and declaration to Santa Fe election director Denise Lamb

From the :
Yesterday Brian Egolf officially filed his Declaration of Candidacy for State Representative – District 47, an open seat being vacated by Rep. Peter Wirth. Seven hundred fifty voters signed a petition to nominate Brian for State Representative, nearly nine times the eighty-six signatures required. Voters from every precinct signed Brian’s petition. Brian will have no primary opponent or Republican challenger for the seat.

Brian said, “I am extremely grateful to all the voters who have signed my nominating petition. The support I have received from people throughout the district has been, and continues to be, extremely humbling. I am looking forward to the campaign ahead and to my favorite part of campaigning: meeting voters at their front doors to talk about a shared vision for a sustainable future in Santa Fe.”

The signatures filed today represent the result of the efforts of over fifty volunteers who spent more than one hundred twenty hours walking door-to-door over the past four weekends, who circulated nominating petitions on their own in their neighborhoods and places of work, and who hosted house parties in Santa Fe and Eldorado in support of Brian’s candidacy.

Brian Egolf is a Santa Fe water lawyer with his own private practice. He is married to Kelly, and they have a three month-old daughter, Cameron Elizabeth. Brian is running because he wants his children to be able to raise their families in Santa Fe. He is committed to a sustainable future for Santa Fe.

Additional information about Brian’s campaign can be found at www.BrianForSantaFe.com.

More Than 2000 Signatures: John Blair Qualifies for State Senate District 15

From the John Blair campaign:
John Blair, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 15, today filed his declaration of candidacy, submitting more than 2,000 qualifying petition signatures with the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office. 

"Voters are hungry for new leadership and fresh ideas in Santa Fe," said Blair. "The overwhelming support we received in the District shows that Democrats are behind us and will give us the edge in June."

Although only 69 signatures of registered Democrats are required to qualify for the Democratic position in District 15, Blair turned in over 2,000 signatures. As part of his grassroots campaign, Blair has walked more than 125 miles across District 15 talking with voters about their concerns and what he'll do as State Senator. Blair's campaign has knocked on more than 3,200 doors in District 15 and Blair personally knocked on more than 2,200 of these doors. 

As estimates based on prior Democratic primary results show that approximately 2500 votes will be needed to win the primary election, Blair said that 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," remarked Blair. "Voters realize that if the right people are elected to the State Senate we can really make some progress on crucial issues like bringing down the cost of health care and prescription drugs, strengthening our economy and creating high wage jobs, and developing new sources of energy for a cleaner environment."

Previously, Blair served as a Legislative Aide to U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chief of Staff for New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas and a Law Clerk for New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Edward L. Chavez. 

Blair is also a current member of the Board of Directors for Popejoy Hall and the UNM School of Law Alumni Association, and he is a former board member for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The winner of the Democratic primary in State Senate District 15 will face incumbent Republican State Senator Helen Diane Snyder in November.

For our previous coverage of 2008 New Mexico legislative races, visit our archive.

Dem Tim Keller Files for State Senate District 17

Tim drops off his signatures

From the Tim Keller campaign:
Recently announced challenger Tim Keller turned in petition signatures today, filing his candidacy for State Senate District 17 in Albuquerque's Southeast Heights. He will face incumbent Shannon Robinson in the Democratic Primary on June 3, 2008. A total of 36 nominating signatures from voters in District were required; Tim turned in 336 -- ten times the number needed.

Tim notes, "Since I announced my candidacy, the outpouring of support from the voters I've met has been encouraging. In short, the feedback has been, 'we need a change in Santa Fe.' I'm running because we need leadership in Santa Fe that will fight for our district—someone who we can count on who will fight for healthcare and ethics reform. I am a candidate who will work for our district and not the special interests."

Tim Keller, a progressive Democrat from Albuquerque, is a business consultant and spends much of his time volunteering on the boards of several non-profit groups that foster economic opportunities in the Southeast Heights and around the New Mexico.

Tonight: Obama Supporter Meeting in ABQ with James Lewis

From Grassroots Obama - New Mexico:
There will be a meeting of Obama for President supporters in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 18, at 7:00 PM at 1301 San Pedro NE (Democratic Party state headquarters).  This is a special meeting. We have the Honorable James Lewis, our very own State Treasurer, as guest speaker. He is the highest ranking state official to support Obama. If you support Barack Obama for President, hope to see you there. More info: Bradford Lyau; Chair, Grassroots Obama - New Mexico (GO-NM); 650-430-5340 (cell)

Major Speech: Obama Addresses Race

Full prepared text of Barack Obama's major speech on issues of race given today in Constitution Center on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. The 37-minute video above captures the entire speech as given. I decided not to provide any excerpts because I think it's essential to take in the speech in its entirety, from start to finish, to experience its power and clarity. I kept thinking as I listened, imagine having a president talking in these terms, in this manner, for eight years, to all the people, persuasively and inclusively, as we take on the immense challenges and changes in motion in almost every area of human endeavor. This time ....

UPDATED-POSTPONED: You're Invited: Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Launch of Campaign to Support Tom Udall for U.S. Senate

UPDATE: These events have been postponed and will be rescheduled soon. See my later post.
***********
From Ed Yoon, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund:

Dear New Mexico Progressive Activists,

I invite you to join me and other progressive activists on Tuesday, March 25th in Albuquerque for a meaningful and fun press conference to formally launch Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund’s statewide campaign to defeat anti-conservation Republicans Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson and elect pro-conservation champion Democrat Tom Udall to the U.S. Senate.

At this press conference, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund will unveil our new TV ad, campaign website and literature, and also announce our state campaign headquarters. We will also have a fun camera-worthy visual activity to highlight our message. The media is expected to be present and your volunteer time will be well-spent and appreciated.

Training and message preparation will be provided for those who are interested in speaking to the media as volunteer participants for the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund. And we will provide free lunch since the event occurs during lunch break for many of you.

Please click here to RSVP or e-mail me at EYoon@DefendersActionFund.org.If you are with an organization, please be sure to indicate which so that we can try to connect further about collaborating in 2008, and to discuss how Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund can also be helpful to your efforts in the future.

What:
Press conference to formally kick-off Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund’s statewide campaign to elect Tom Udall to U.S. Senate, including the unveiling of its new TV ad, campaign website and literature, and campaign headquarters

When:
Tuesday, March 25th, 12:00 PM

Where:
Conference Room
1202 Pennsylvania Street NE, Albuquerque

Free lunch provided.

Thank you. Please click here to RSVP or e-mail me at EYoon@DefendersActionFund.org.

Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson are two of the most extreme, out-of-touch, party-line right-wing Republicans in Congress that continue to serve the whims of wealthy corporate special interests before ordinary New Mexicans. Their tenure in Congress is marked by erosion of our economy, billions of tax payer dollars continuously being drained in the costly Iraqi civil war, pillaging of our natural resources for special interest profit, and putting shame on public services through their dishonorably unethical behaviors. Together, let’s send them packing in 2008 so that we can elect a true champion for New Mexican families and all-around good guy, Democrat Tom Udall, who will work tirelessly in the Senate to rebuild our economy, exit responsibly from Iraq, represent New Mexico’s western values, and protect our conservation heritage.

I greatly look forward to welcoming and meeting you in person on March 25th to start the exciting journey to win together in November. Even if you can not attend the event, I encourage you stay in touch with me.

Sincerely,
Ed Yoon
New Mexico Campaign Manager
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
EYoon@DefendersActionFund.org
(505) 248-0118 Ext. 3

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund provides a powerful voice in Washington to Americans who value our conservation heritage. Through grassroots lobbying, issue advocacy and political campaigns, the Action Fund champions those laws and lawmakers that protect wildlife and wild places while working against those that do them harm.

Hey Heather Wilson: Return the Vitter Cash

From Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington:
Washington, DC – In light of the National Republican Congressional Committee’s call for candidates and members of Congress to return soon-to-be former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s (D) donations, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) wonders why members and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have not returned Sen. David Vitter’s (R-LA) contributions. As widely reported, Sen. Vitter has solicited prostitutes in the past. Rather than being condemned and ostracized, Sen. Vitter received a standing ovation at a Republican Caucus luncheon after his transgressions became public.

Government officials must obey all laws, not just those with which they agree. We do not, however, advocate returning legal campaign donations made by officials who broke the law when the contributions are in no way tied to the illegal activity. Nevertheless, we note that what is good for the goose should be good for the gander and, therefore, point out the following contributions made by Sen. Vitter:

2006 Cycle:
National Republican Senatorial Committee – $25,000
House members:
Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA) – $1,000
Steve Chabot (R-OH) – $2,500
Jim Gerlach (R–PA) – $2,000
Deborah Pryce (R-OH) – $2,000
Mark Souder (R-IN) – $2,000
Heather Wilson (R-NM) – $2,000

Senate members:
Bob Corker (R-TN) – $10,000
John Ensign (R-NV) – $5,000
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) – $5,000
Jon Kyl (R-AZ) – $6,000

2008 Cycle:

Senate member:
Mitch McConnell (R-KY) – $1,000
***
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions.

For more information, please visit www.citizensforethics.org or contact Naomi Seligman Steiner at 202.408.5565/nseligman@citizensforethics.org.

Tuesday: Next Meeting of Friends of Albuquerque Tribune

From Friends of the Albuquerque Tribune: FOAT, Inc. preparing to bring out The Albuquerque Trial Balloon with a readership survey and articles by Tribune columnists. Volunteer journalists invited to meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2008, 7:00 PM at UNM Law School.

At its regular meeting yesterday, the Board of Directors of Friends of the Albuquerque Tribune, Inc. decided to publish a print newspaper, in broadsheet form, as the forerunner for a projected on-line daily. The paper, to be called “The Albuquerque TRIalBallooN”, will be mirrored on FOAT’s website. Several locally-based columnists from the Albuquerque Tribune have agreed to provide articles for the first issue, which will also contain an opinion survey of potential readers/subscribers to the forthcoming on-line paper.

The board has received sufficient funds to cover the production cost of the first issue, and eagerly looks forward to further financial support from the public in central New Mexico. Future issues will contain more local, state, national, and international news and will provide an extensive forum for community input.

There is much work to be done, and the FOAT, Inc. Board urges everyone who can help, especially experienced journalists, and all citizens concerned with keeping the Tribune tradition going, to come to the next public meeting this coming Tuesday, March 18th, at 7:00 PM in Room 2405 of the University of New Mexico School of Law.The School is located on Stanford Drive NE at Mountain Road. To get and keep informed, send an email message to SaveAbqTrib-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

86 years ago when the Albuquerque Tribune began publishing as a daily newspaper, this mission statement was put in place: “The mission of the Albuquerque Tribune is to inform the community. Our allegiance is to the reader. Our commitment is to the truth. Our job is to question. Our ambition is to provide a forum through which this city becomes a better place to live.”

Current board members: Rosamund Evans President, Marvin Gladstone Vice President/Treasurer, David Barbour Secretary, Ted Cloak, J.W. Madison, Jack Pickering, Dennis Herrick, Joe Sackett

NM Dem Preprimary Convention Congressional Races

Click for Official Results (pdf) of voting at Saturday's Dem Preprimary Convention.

NM-01 (Albuquerque area):
Martin Heinrich was the only Congressional candidate in any of New Mexico's three Districts to get more than 50% of the delegate votes -- a very strong showing in a field of four. Also, his 28% margin of victory over the First District's second-place finisher Michelle Lujan Grisham -- at 56.41% to 28.29% -- was the largest of any winning candidate. Heinrich and Grisham were the only two candidates to reach the 20% level in NM-01, giving them automatic placement on the primary ballot in the number one and two slots, respectively.

Diego Arencón, Debbie O'Malley, Martin Heinrich

Heinrich was nominated and seconded by Albuquerque City Councilor Debbie O'Malley, who touted his leadership and hard work on issues like raising the minimum wage, water conservation and smart growth planning, and International Association of Fire Fighters' Local 224 President Diego Arencón, representing one of the many unions that have endorsed Heinrich's candidacy. Heinrich emphasized he has the skills necessary to lead in Washington and take on the special interests. He pushed ethics, renewable energy, ending the war, creating green-collar jobs, solving the health care dilemma and regaining and protecting our constitutional rights and civil liberties.

Rebecca Vigil-Giron (at 11.15%) and Robert Pidcock (at 4.16%) will have to submit more petition signatures if they want to get on the ballot. They both gave spirited speeches. Jessica Lynn Wolfe withdrew from the race before the voting began, and will run instead for State Senate in District 21 against conservative Repub incumbent Kent Cravens.

Unfortunately, I had to leave the event before Michelle Lujan Grisham gave her speech. I believe she had the tough role of being the last speaker of the day-long Convention. I've heard she was rousing nonetheless. Anyone out there hear her?

NM-02 (Southern NM):
Despite the deep pockets of wealthy oil business honcho Harry Teague and his friends in the Hobbs area oil patch funding Teague's candidacy, Dona Ana Commissioner Bill McCamley scored an impressive victory in the Second District with 48.71% of the delegate vote in the four-person race. Teague came in second with 36.47%, followed by Al Kissling (13.41%) and Frank McKinnon (1.41%).

Teague supporters fill the stage

McCamley's live-wire (and sometimes humorous) speech at the convention seemed to wow the delegates in all three Districts. He recounted how he had beaten big odds in his first campaign for Dona Ana County Commissioner, and trashed conventional wisdom in his fundraising and grassroots organizing in this campaign. Change is in the air and McCamley is working hard to bring fresh air and new ideas to Washington.

Former Lea County Commission Teague, however, won the unofficial wardrobe award in NM-02 with dozens of his supporters wearing blue campaign t-shirts and white hardhats as they marched to the stage in unison. He stressed his hard scrabble roots and his up by his bootstraps business successes as evidence of his hardworking nature and knowledge of the concerns of ordinary people.

McCamley (right) entered the contest back in April when incumbent Repub. Steve Pearce had yet to vacate the race to run for U.S. Senate, and by all accounts has waged a highly successful person-to-person grassroots campaign, traveling more than 45,000 miles to visit every county in the massive District -- some several times.

“We are so grateful for this overwhelming support for our campaign and the momentum it has given us,” McCamley said in a statement. “The message today was loud and clear: The people are hungry for someone who has the commitment to fight for change in Washington and results for southern New Mexico. Today was a victory for the people. Many political insiders said that we wouldn’t win today, because there is another candidate who has a lot of his own money to spend. We proved them wrong. We showed that hard work, commitment, and a compelling message are what really matters.”

McCamley has already raised about $300,000 for the race and his victory at the pre-primary has sparked a new campaign initiative to raise $30,000 more between now and Bill's 30th birthday on April 1st. The campaign is asking supporters to give Bill a "birthday gift" by March 31, which you can do right here at Act Blue.

NM-03 (Northern NM):
Public Regulation Commissioner Ben Ray Lujan was the top vote-getter at 40.21% of the delegate votes, with political newcomer and green developer Don Wiviott making a strong showing at 29.67%. The two will be on the primary ballot in the one and two slots, respectively.

Jason Marks at podium nominating Lujan (left)

Lujan's supporters, clad in bright yellow and red t-shirts, marched through the crowd and onto the stage tooting kazoos and raising a ruckus to music. Lujan was nominated by fellow PRC Commissioner Jason Marks, who cited Ben Ray's environmental achievements, work ethic and fairness. Lujan gave a powerhouse speech amidst much cheering from supporters, and stressed his New Mexican roots and dedication to environmental and energy issues.

Jason Marks (left), Ben Ray Lujan (right)

Commenting on his first-place finish in a six-candidate race, Luján said in a statement, "I am grateful and honored by the support delegates have shown for our campaign. Saturday's victory and Friday's endorsement by the League of Conservation Voters puts momentum on our side, and we will work 1 percent at a time to secure victory in June."

"This is a great showing, and along with the LCV endorsement, we clearly have the momentum going forward," said campaign manager Carlos Trujillo. "We will keep working to let voters know about Commissioner Luján's record of leadership on renewable energy, of holding insurance companies and big corporations accountable and of standing up for New Mexico consumers."

Don Wiviott was escorted toward the stage by a large contingent of supporters while the Beatles song "Revolution" filled the hall. In a surprise move, Wiviott was nominated by former Ambassador Joe Wilson (right), who relocated to Santa Fe last year with his family after Scooter Libby was found guilty in the scandal involving the outing of Valerie Plame-Wilson's CIA status by the Bush administration. He remarked that traditional political experience is highly overrated given the current state of affairs in DC and beyond, and that we need more citizen members of Congress like Wiviott to set things right.

Wiviott stressed that he's dedicated to bringing change to Washington and won't take a cent from special interest lobbyists or PACs in this campaign. He hopes to bring real-life experience at problem-solving and a strong dedication to greening the economy and ending the war to Washington.

In response to Don Wiviott's capturing almost 30% of the delegates, campaign spokesperson Caroline Buerkle said in a statement, “It is remarkable how far this campaign has come. Don started out with no name ID, no political network and none of the advantages of a political insider. Just a few months later, he shocked the establishment by not only getting on the ballot, but by running neck-and-neck with those who started with far more in their favor. Don’s strong showing is a testament to his progressive vision and voters’ desire for change.” 

Buerkle said Saturday that Don is looking forward to a spirited primary campaign. “Now that he’s on the ballot, Don’s going to keep on doing what got him here today -- working hard, meeting with voters and talking about his commitment to fight for change in Washington, DC. Today’s showing made clear that Don’s message is resonating with voters. They are tired of politics and politicians. They want leaders who will focus on their issues and fight for them.”

Jemez Pueblo member and former NM Secretary of Indian Affairs Benny Shendo Jr., garnered a somewhat surprising 16.47%. That didn't earn an automatic slot on the ballot for the electoral politics newcomer, but it did show he has substantial support in the District. Shendo is expected to seek a place on the ballot via the petition route, and he reportedly already has enough signatures to qualify. Many in the crowd were impressed by Shendo's heartfelt and progressive speech, and many commented on how refreshing it was to have a Native American candidate in the running. Here, here.

Trailing the field in NM-03 were Harry Montoya (10.98%), Jon Adams (2.37%) and Rudy Martin (0.30%).

Also see my previous posts on the Dem Nominating Convention here and here. You can check out our entire set of Convention photos at Flickr. All photos by M.E. Broderick except where noted.