Democracy for New Mexico

9/22: Meet and Greet with Brian Colón, Alex Russell in Albuquerque

Please Join Lieutenant Governor Candidate and District 29 State House Candidate Alex Russell, along with other Albuquerque residents for a candidate meet and greet at:

The Home of
Andrew, Ashley & Aiden Ortega & Theresa Watson
4531 Agate Hills Rd NW, Albuquerque NM, 87114 (map)
From 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
on Wednesday, September 22nd
Click for Flyer (pdf)

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Lieutenant Governor Candidate Brian Colón and State House Candidate Alex Russell and talk to them about the upcoming November elections. If you have questions or to RSVP (505) 830-2811.

9/9: Fundraiser for Alex Russell for State Rep at Chama River Brewing Company

Campaign Fundraiser for
Alex Russell
for State Representative
District 29
Thursday, September 9
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Chama River Brewing Company
4939 Pan American Freeway, Albuquerque (map)
Hosted By
Amy Creasman, Felicia Castillo

If you can't make it, or would like to make a contribution to help our campaign now, please visit the campaign's ActBlue page. Thank you for your support.

9/2 at Kelly's: ABQ Dem Leaders Fundraiser for Stephanie Richard for NM House

From Stephanie Richard for State Representative, District 43:

Please Join Albuquerque Democratic Leaders
Senators Cisco McSorley, Tim Keller, Dede Feldman,
Eric Griego, Jerry Ortiz y Pino
and Representatives
Mimi Stewart and Gail Chasey
and Bernalillo County Democratic Party Chair
Ana Canales

Let’s Elect New Leaders Fundraiser!
for Stephanie Richard
Thursday, September 2, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Kelly’s Pub
3222 Central Avenue SE, Albuquerque
$50 suggested contribution, all contributions appreciated
Light refreshments
Please call Diane Door for more information at 660-9365

9/1: Santa Fe Fundraiser for Stephanie Richard for State Rep

From Stephanie Richard for State Representative:

From the School-House to the Round-House,
Let’s Get a Strong, Pro-Choice Woman to Santa Fe!
Please Join
Diane Wood, Liz Stefanics, Linda Siegle, Charlotte Roybal, Ocean Munds-Dry, Edie Nunez, Anne Watkins, Viki Elkey,
Kathy Keith, Kate Ferlic, Reena Szcezpanski,
Ruth Kovnat and DeAnza Sapien
Fundraiser for Stephanie Richard
Democratic Candidate
State Representative, District 43
Wednesday, September 1st, 4:30-6:00 PM
Strong Schenck Gallery
200 Canyon Rd #C, Santa Fe, NM
$50 suggested contribution
Light refreshments served
Click for Flyer With Complete Info

Congratulations to Rep. Ben Rodefer For Being Voted DFA's New Mexico All-Star

The national group Democracy for America has endorsed Democratic State Rep. Ben Rodefer for his re-election bid in New Mexico House District 23 in Corrales. DFA Chair Jim Dean, the brother of Howard Dean who originally founded the organization, announced yesterday that Rep. Rodefer has been named the DFA New Mexico All-Star based on the votes of members. Go Ben!

Albuquerque's DFA-Democracy for New Mexico Meetup group (DFA-DFNM) is loosely affiliated with Democracy for America, and has been since 2003. On behalf of the group, Mary Ellen and I would like to congratulate Rep. Rodefer on being voted DFA's New Mexico All-Star and urge everyone to contribute or volunteer for Ben's campaign. Rep. Rodefer is in a hotly contested race this year and it's important that we help him keep his seat. 

In an email, Dean had this to say about the endorsement:

DFA endorsements have always been driven by our members on the ground across the country -- that's what makes Democracy for America the country's only people-powered PAC. But the New Mexico All-Star endorsement is different because it's chosen entirely by DFA members in New Mexico.

All the votes have been cast and I'm honored to announce DFA's New Mexico All-Star -- Benjamin Rodefer. Join the campaign -- Contribute or Volunteer right now.

It's not difficult to see why Benjamin won this hard-fought endorsement. Just look at how he describes the grassroots campaign he's running:

"We need state leaders who are not afraid to stand up for the working people, leaders who will not be swayed by those with great wealth or influence, but will stick to tirelessly advocating for democratic values and positions."

Democracy for America is committed to electing progressives up and down the ballot -- to school boards, city councils and state legislatures. These offices have a huge impact on local communities and help build a bench of progressive talent that will grow and sustain a long-term progressive movement.

Every campaign we run, every candidate we support is powered by you -- our members on the ground. Join me today in support of the New Mexico All-Star. Sign up to volunteer or contribute right now to help elect a progressive fighter.

Thank you for all that you do.

-Jim
Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America

8/27: Reception Honoring Rep. Jeff Steinborn at Slate Street Cafe in ABQ

A Very Special Reception
Honoring a Conservation Champion
Rep. Jeff Steinborn
Friday, August 27th , 4:30 - 5:45 PM
Slate Street Cafe, 515 Slate Avenue NW, Albuquerque

$100 donation requested, or whatever can be afforded. RSVP to Terri @ 575-541-0106.

Since being elected in 2006, Rep. Steinborn has been an ardent defender of our environment. He has helped pass important conservation measures into law and been instrumental in defeating numerous bad environmental bills. He is a 100% Conservation Voter! Jeff is in a tough re-election and needs our support. With conservation issues under assault, we all need to help re-elect this conservation champion.

If you cannot attend, please make a contribution online at www.jeffsteinborn.com/, or mail a check to PO Box 562, Las Cruces NM 88004. Checks should be made out to: Jeff Steinborn for State Representative.

8/25: Campaign Fundraiser at O'Niell's Pub for Rep. Karen Giannini

Heed the message: Rep. Giannini at a DPBC event

From Campaign to Re-Elect Rep. Karen Giannini:

Come show your Support for our
District 30 Democratic State Representative
Karen Giannini
With hosts State Senator Cisco McSorley and
State Representative Eleanor Chavez!
Wednesday, August 25th, 5:30-7:30 PM
O’Niell’s Irish Pub, 4310 Central Avenue SE, ABQ
Suggested contributions: $100, $50, $25

State Rep. Karen Giannini won a tough race in a Republican-leaning district in 2008. She is the first Democrat to ever hold this seat, and a victory in 2010 is within our reach! This is a grassroots effort and we’ll need your help to be successful! Join us on Wednesday the 25th at O’Niell’s Irish Pub, meet Rep. Giannini and join the conversation about what we can do to hold the ground we’ve gained!

If you can't make the event, you can send a check to Karen Giannini at 2270-D Wyoming Boulevard NE #411, Albuquerque, NM 87112 or contribute online at her ActBlue page.

8/16: Grand Opening/Rent Party for Rep. Jeff Steinborn's Re-Election Campaign

The Campaign to Re-Elect Democrat Jeff Steinborn as State Representative in District 37 invites you to attend:

Grand Opening/Rent Party
Monday, August 16, 2010 at 5:30 – 7:30 PM
250 Downtown Mall, Las Cruces, NM
$20.00/donation

Come have a chat and a nosh. Help Jeff celebrate the grand opening of his new headquarters. There will be grilled hot dogs, soft drinks, snacks, good conversation and most importantly Jeff!

Jeff’s headquarters are located at 250 Downtown Mall (old Steinborn building) at the far south end of the downtown mall on the west side (map).

8/5: Fundraiser in Support of Joel Davis for State Rep at Corrales Bistro Brewery

From Joel A. Davis for State Representative:

Please Join
Fritz Allen, Melissa Hill, Rebecca Jolin,
Dan Sutton and Stephanie Warriner
For a Fundraiser
In support of
Joel A. Davis for NM
to benefit his campaign for State Representative
House District 44
Thursday, August 5, 2010, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Corrales Bistro Brewery
4908 Corrales Road
IN THE HEART OF CORRALES, NM
Suggested Contribution: $50.00 Per Person
Music, Refreshments and Hors D’oeuvres Provided

Please RSVP to: Stephanie C. Warriner (505) 843-7303 or swarriner@newmexicolegalgroup.com. Contributions may be brought to the event or be made payable and sent to: Joel A. Davis for NM, PO Box 45318, Rio Rancho, NM 87174. You may also contribute online at www.JoelDavis.org

8/5: Mimi Stewart Re-Election Campaign Fundraiser, Chama River Brewing Co.

Click above image for larger version

Let's give Rep. Mimi Stewart -- one of our best progressive legislators and a real champion for education, health care and civil liberties for all -- the support she needs to keep her seat in the New Mexico House in District 21. Rep. Stewart again has a Republican challenger, and in a tough mid-term election year we need to make sure Mimi wins in November.

Come on down and see Democratic Rep. Stewart and lots of other folks at the fundraiser on Thursday, August 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Chama River Brewing Company, 4939 Pan American Freeway NE, in Albuquerque (map). $50 suggested donation, but any and all donations are appreciated.

If you can't make it, please consider donating a few bucks via ActBlue at www.mimistewart.org/.

Photos: Otero County Democrats Gather for Candidate Meet & Greet, Lemonade Social

Click for larger version or photo album

Contributing writer Stephen Jones checks in with another report from Southern New Mexico.

An upbeat crowd braved intermittent ribbons of desert rains to meet and greet Democratic candidates in Otero County in south central New Mexico on Thursday. The event was held at the Sgt. Willie Estrada Civic Center on 1st Street in Alamogordo. The lemonade social brought together Otero County voters with state and local candidates seeking election in the upcoming General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 2. The event stressed direct conversation between voters and candidates rather than formal speeches.

Headlining the event were two statewide public officials, Attorney General Gary K. King and New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas. King and Balderas were on hand to meet local residents, discuss issues and concerns with voters, and to outline accomplishments from their first terms in their respective State constitutional offices. Both King and Balderas are seeking re-election. Also in attendance was State Representative Nate Cote (NM-53), whose district includes parts of Otero County.

Also on hand were Stephanie L. Dubois, seeking election to the Public Regulation Commission, District 2, and Bill McCamley, who is running for the Public Regulation Commission in District 5. The three incumbents and the two Democratic nominees for PRC stressed their ongoing work to achieve stronger ethics in New Mexico government.

Among the other candidates Ellen Wedum and Sue Medina, running for State Representative in District 59 and 51 respectively, hope to join Representative Cote in the next session of the New Mexico State Legislature. Otero County includes parts of five districts.

Local candidates present included L.C. Marshall, running for Otero County Commissioner, Wally Anderson, seeking the office of County Sheriff, and Sheldon Compton, who is making his second run for County Assessor. While Otero County has traditionally been dominated by Republicans, Compton received 49% of the vote in his first try for public office four years ago.

Others on hand to meet with the candidates were the Alamogordo Mayor’s Commission on Youth, a group of local high school students working to inform and bring young people into the civic process. Otero County Democratic Chair Dawn Provencer and Nola Jones, who coordinated Thursday’s event, reminded the audience to register to vote for the General Election. Jones reminded the younger members of the audience that anyone whose 18th birthday falls on or before November 2 is eligible to register now.

All potential New Mexico voters must be registered by October 5, 2010 in order to vote in the upcoming election. You can learn more here.

All photos by Stephen Jones. To see more of his posts, visit our archive.

NM Rep. Moe Maestas, House Candidate Joel Davis Speak Out For Innovative Approach to Budget Challenges

State Rep. Moe Maestas, D-House District 16 (right), and Democratic candidate for Representative in House District 44, Joel Davis, held a joint press conference yesterday afternoon at the Metropolitan Courthouse in downtown Albuquerque. They discussed the fiscal problems facing the State of New Mexico -- and how innovative thinking and collaboration can produce effective solutions.

First off, Davis (left) pointed out that, “most of the fiscal problems are related to the downturn in the local and national economies." In other words, New Mexico is suffering from the same kind of budget shortfalls being encountered in virtually every state in the union. The solution? Thinking out of the box on ways we can more effectively utilize the funds we have.

Treatment vs. Incarceration
Maestas and Davis explained how an important piece of legislation, which passed the New Mexico House this past February by a margin of 34-31, could help do just that. Unfortunately, HB 178, sponsored by Rep. Maestas and known as the Substance Abuse & Crime Prevention Act, never got a vote in the Senate as time ran out on the session.

That's sad, because passage of the legislation could result in significant budget savings -- money that could be used to support other critical law enforcement functions that are now suffering from damaging funding gaps. The legislation would provide nonviolent drug offenders with an opportunity to receive treatment rather than incarceration -- avoiding the high costs associated with jail and prison time. Rep. Maestas says he'll reintroduce the bill in the 2010 legislative session.

“This bill, if enacted, would free up approximately $20 million that could more effectively be allocated for prosecutors who already have scarce resources to combat violent crime,” Rep. Maestas said.

Just the Facts, Ma'am
Here are some eye-opening facts on this issue cited by Maestas and Davis:

• Non-violent offenders make up more than 60% of the prison and jail population. Non-violent drug offenders make up about 25% of all offenders behind bars.
• While the overall population of the United States increased by 33% since 1980, the prison population has increased by more than 350%.
• The average annual cost to incarcerate an individual in New Mexico State prisons is $30,000/per year; the average cost in a New Mexico detention facility is $20,440.
• The average annual cost of substance abuse treatment in New Mexico is $1,295 per person.

Why Davis Supports the Bill
Davis said he supported the treatment option legislation before he was a candidate for the House because of its potential to save the state money. Now, one of the primary focuses of his campaign is on coming up with better ways to spend state dollars and more equitable ways to distribute the burden of taxes.

“As Moe stated, we need to look at more innovative ways to solve our problems with shrinking revenue and the need to better serve our citizens. The Substance Abuse & Crime Prevention Act is one of those measures.”

A Personal Perspective and Lessons Learned
Davis explained that he also has a personal perspective on the issue.

“I was an assistant DA in Sandoval County. I understand the need to be tough on violent crime. I also understand that part of correcting bad behavior is to offer hope for a more productive life if you get your act together. And that is not something I just read in a book or heard someone say -- I know it from personal experience," he said.

“When I was a young man, a young Marine," Davis continued, "I saw all the hard work and pride I put into my first three and a half years of service to my country go down the drain because I experimented with marijuana -- and shortly after that I got a DWI. But because of my family and the values I was taught, I realized that if I owned up to my mistakes -- made no excuses and took my medicine -- I could get my life back on track."

“That was almost fifteen years ago," Davis explained. "I went back to college. I studied hard. And then I applied to Law School. Studied hard again for three years and then took the Bar -- and I passed. I got on with my life because some people cared and helped direct me. It was tough, but it paid off."

“I have never forgotten those lessons, Davis said. "And I think more people today need to know that there is always a solution to problems ... there is always a way to correct bad behavior ... correct mistakes."

According to Davis, "Rep. Maestas' bill is one way we can help some people start down the road to recovery and becoming active, responsible members of their community. And what is also encouraging is that we can save money at the same time ... despite what the obstructionists and naysayers would have you believe."

“It is easy to say NO to everything ... it doesn‟t require any work or any serious thought. But some of us feel it is about time legislators start coming up with answers and solutions, not just excuses and slogans," Davis said.

Creating An Ongoing Opportunity for Brainstorming
Maestas and Davis want to begin a discussion now on potential ways to address the shrinking resources in state government -- including trying to reapportion some resources, save on others and provide equitable new sources of income for necessary state services. The two Dems said yesterday's press conference was the first in what they hope will be a series of press conferences and meetings held over the next few months. 

Joel and Moe are offering an open invitation to participate to those who are already serving in the state legislature and those running for the House. They stressed the importance of bringing ideas to the table now -- rather than waiting until January when everyone's backs will once again be against the wall.

The idea is to provide an opportunity for lawmakers and House candidates to offer ideas to be batted about, debated and amended. It's all about making an effort at being positive and proactive in trying to solve our problems -- instead of just copping out, throwing up our hands and complaining.

My Take
I gave Rep. Maestas major props for having the courage and smarts to introduce an excellent treatment option bill at this year's session -- and for having the fortitude to push on and get it passed by the House. Now we know that if we make sure Moe gets reelected in District 16, and we work hard to help Joel Davis grab the seat in District 44 from Republican Jane Powdrell-Culbert, the legislation will come up again with an even better chance of passing. And that's just the start of what could be one of the most important and ground-breaking legislative sessions in many years -- IF we hang onto power and capture even more seats.

I think we can all agree that we need more legislators like these two Dems -- who are willing to fight for the people and speak out on innovative ways to address the many challenges we face. The same old, same old just isn't a viable option anymore. But if we want "more and better Dems," as the saying goes, we have to support the candidates who are willing to step up to the plate and advocate for fresh, effective and inherently Democratic approaches to governing. We can start by volunteering and/or donating some bucks to the campaigns of Moe and Joel. Time's a'wasting.