Democracy for New Mexico

11/17: Victory Celebration for State Auditor Hector Balderas

Please join
State Auditor Hector and Denise Balderas
for a Victory Celebration
Hosted by
Caroline Buerkle & David Baland, Marcus & Theresa Rael, Natasha Ning & Drew Setter, Dan Najjar & Luke Otero
Wednesday, November 17th
5:30-8:00 PM
Albuquerque Country Club, 601 Laguna, SW

Please RSVP to: cbuerkle@buerkleandning.com or call 505-352-2000.

State Auditor Hector Balderas Airs TV Ad Highlighting Fight to Protect NM Taxpayers

See larger version

State Auditor Hector Balderas began airing his first -- and very powerful -- TV ad on Sunday, October 17th. The ad highlights his commitment to aggressively fighting public corruption by uncovering the $3.3 million Jemez Mountain Public Schools embezzlement and $1 billion public funds “at-risk” in New Mexico.

“With one of the smallest budgets, I have provided innovative solutions to some of the state's toughest problems,” Balderas stated. “While I’m proud of our accomplishments highlighted in this ad, there is still a lot of work to be done. If I’m elected to a second term, I will continue to dedicate my office’s resources to making government more transparent and accountable.”

The ad will air through Election Day. Auditor Balderas is seeking a second term.

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Endorses Hector Balderas for New Mexico State Auditor

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club has announced its endorsement of incumbent Hector Balderas in the general election for New Mexico State Auditor.

"Hector Balderas's outstanding record as State Auditor as a champion of environmental protection has earned our enthusiastic endorsement," said Susan Martin, Political Chair of the Rio Grande Chapter, in a statement released today.

The group noted that State Auditor Hector Balderas initiated a comprehensive review and audit of all State Trust lands, including White Peak. "This scrutiny promises to bring a new level of openness to the office of state Land Commissioner and increased protection for State Trust Lands. Balderas represents a new generation of leaders devoted to public service; we are proud to endorse him."

The Sierra Club is the nation's oldest and largest environmental volunteer organization, established in 1892, and with over 7,500 politically active members in New Mexico, the endorsement of the Rio Grande Chapter is widely sought by candidates for elected positions across the state. As the Chapter finalizes its endorsements for the general election they are posted on its new web site: nmsierraclub.org/political.

State Auditor Hector Balderas Rallies Progressive Voters in Doña Ana County

State Auditor Hector Balderas

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

Championing a “culture of accountability,” State Auditor Hector Balderas was in Doña Ana County on Thursday to rally support for his reelection bid and to promote the New Mexico Democratic ticket. Balderas addressed a large local turnout at the August meeting of the Progressive Voters Alliance (PVA) held at the Munson Community Center in Las Cruces and a meet and greet event at in Mesilla. 

Balderas noted his success in overcoming official resistance and fighting public fraud on behalf of New Mexicans despite the traditional low profile of the Auditor’s office. “Citizens in New Mexico have grown tired of a lack of accountability from government agencies,” Baldera’s said.

Balderas has received high marks from reforms groups in New Mexico and nationally. As State Auditor, Hector Balderas uncovered a $3.4 million dollar embezzlement of public funds, the largest in state history, at Jemez Mountain Public Schools. He has fought resistance at the state and local levels to scrutiny of public expenditures.

Several local officials were also on hand at the PVA meeting including State Representatives Jeff Steinborn (NM-37), Joseph Cervantes (NM-52), Nate Cote (NM-53), State Senator Steve Fischmann (NM-37), Las Cruces City Councillor and Judge Manny Arrieta. Other candidates addressing the group included Bill McCamley, candidate for PRC, Jose “Joel” Cano, candidate for Magistrate Judge, and Billy Garrett, Democratic Nominee for Doña Ana County Commissioner.

Prior to the PVA meeting, State Auditor Balderas met with voters at a meet and greet event at Andele Restaurante at 1950 Calle del Norte, in Mesilla. Hector Balderas is serving his first term in statewide constitutional office, and is seeking reelection in the November General Election.

All photos by Stephen Jones. Click on photos to see larger versions. To see more posts by Stephen, visit our archive.

8/26: State Auditor Hector Balderas Meet & Greet in Mesilla

Please Join
State Auditor Hector Balderas
For a Meet and Greet
Thursday, August 26th, 5:00-6:30 PM
Andele Restaurant
1950 Calle del Norte, Mesilla, NM (map)
Family, friends and neighbors are welcome!

Please RSVP to Caroline Buerkle at (505) 553-5307 or caroline_buerkle_2000@yahoo.com.

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.

Today: Reception Honoring State Auditor Hector Balderas in ABQ

4/1: ABQ Fundraiser for Campaign to Re-Elect State Auditor Hector Balderas

Click on above for larger version

Dem Party of NM Accuses GOP's New Auditor Candidate Errol Chavez of Playing Musical Chairs

Yesterday the Republican Party Chairman, Harvey Yates, announced he had “recruited” Errol Chavez to abandon his failed campaign for State Land Commissioner in order to run for yet another position, State Auditor. The Democratic Party of New Mexico released a statement today calling this "an unfortunate example of the Republican Party recruiting candidates who abandon races as soon as they start them."

“This is the kind of insider maneuvering that New Mexicans are sick of,” said Democratic Party Chair, Javier Gonzales. “While Yates and Chavez sit around behind closed doors deciding which job they want next, our current State Auditor, Hector Balderas, has been working hard for the people of New Mexico, fighting government fraud, waste and abuse.

“By instituting the state's first fraud hotline and measures so all governments are annually held accountable for their spending, Balderas has proven that he will find innovative ways to protect New Mexicans," Gonzales continued. "New Mexicans deserve principled leaders who want to serve the public, not politicians who want to serve political insiders.”

Chairman Gonzales also noted the irony in the fact that several prominent members of the Republican Party recently praised Auditor Balderas on the political blog, www.nmpolitics.net. Republican political blogger, Mario Burgos, was quoted as saying, “(Balderas) ... is leading the fight to get criminals behind bars. He seems to be doing his job well and with little concern whether the elected criminals have an R or D attached to their name.” In addition, Republican House Minority Whip, Keith Gardner (R-Roswell), also applauded Balderas’ work, saying, “I may be partisan, but I’m more than willing to put politics aside when someone is doing a great job. Keep it up Mr. Auditor.” Now that's some mighty big praise, especially coming from the R side of the aisle.

Then there's Errol Chavez -- a man on a mission to run for something, although he's having more than a little trouble deciding what. Chavez was recently quoted in the NM Independent, explaining that “he considered running for Congress, but ultimately decided that his executive experience in law enforcement made land commissioner a better fit.” Hmmm. Apparently Chavez thought he should run for Congress, then Land Commissioner and now State Auditor -- all in less than a year. Next thing you know he just might decide to run for Attorney General, State Rep. or whatever else appeals to his self interest on any given day. There's no clarity there.

“With the challenges New Mexicans face today and down the road, we need the proven leadership and experience that Hector Balderas has brought to the State Auditor's Office,” said Gonzales. “This office is too important to be decided by a game of musical chairs. State Auditor Balderas' campaign to aggressively fight government fraud and corruption deserves the support of all New Mexicans -- and that includes Yates and Chavez.”

Campaign Petition Party Tonight: Vino, Vampires and State Auditor Hector Balderas

From Campaign to Re-elect Hector Balderas as State Auditor: Come to Cafe Green, have some wine, watch some vampires and sign some petitions for Hector:

Cafe Green, SM Cubed Consulting,
Veronica Martinez, Helen Anderson,
Meridith Griego and Denise Balderas
present
Vino, Vampires and
State Auditor Hector Balderas
for an evening of
Twilight
Thursday, November 19th, 8:00 - 10:30 PM
Cafe Green
319 5th St NW, Albuquerque (map)
refreshments served, cash bar
Silent Auction featuring chocolate from The Candy Lady and
tickets to the sneak preview of New Moon
Themed dress is encouraged
Click for FLYER
Please RSVP to Veronica Martinez at ronilynn75@hotmail.com

Tonight: Re-Election Kickoff for State Auditor Hector Balderas

Help Re-Elect Hon. Hector Balderas for State Auditor
Click for Bio and Flyer
Please join us for a reception honoring
State Auditor Hector Balderas
Tuesday, August 11th, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Q-Bar, Hotel Albuquerque
800 Rio Grande Blvd
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Suggested contribution: $100 per person. Please make checks payable to Committee to Elect Hector Balderas or make a donation online at ActBlue. Please RSVP to Theresa Trujeque at 505.328.4000 or ttrujeque@comcast.net.

New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas Announces Run for Second Term

Hector & family with Caroline Kennedy in NM, '08 prez campaign

The highly respected and very popular up-and-comer Democrat, Hector Balderas, released a statement this morning announcing he will seek a second four-year term as New Mexico State Auditor, and run for reelection in 2010:

Seven years ago, I entered public service as a young prosecutor with the goal to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Taking a path which began in a small office cubicle to now serving as your State Auditor has been a remarkable journey. I have chosen to take a stand and fight against public corruption, conflicts of interest, and unaccountable governments and officials.

Additionally, I have partnered with citizens statewide to gather anonymous tips to strengthen oversight through my fraud hotline. With just 30 brave employees and one of the smallest budgets in the state, we have created an expectation and a reality that New Mexico will have an independent voice to speak on behalf of taxpayers and on the real conditions of our government.

There is much more important work to be done. For these reasons, I have chosen to continue on this path and seek a second term as your State Auditor.

Balderas was long-rumored to be seriously considering a run for Lt. Governor in 2010 -- and was seen as a front-runner for the spot -- but this statement puts that story to rest. Instead, it's clear that Hector's close colleague, Brian Colón, who currently chairs the Democratic Party of New Mexico, has decided he'll jump into the Lt. Governor race. Colón is expected to officially announce his candidacy and resign his Dem Party post -- most likely on Friday or Saturday, but perhaps as early as Wednesday -- according to a well-placed source. I posted last Wednesday that it looked like Colon was very close to deciding to run for Lt. Governor. Today, Peter St. Cyr reports that's definitely a go.

I think Hector Balderas should be commended for deciding to run for re-election so he can stick to the important work at hand for four more years in the State Auditor's office. If re-elected, as expected, he'll be focusing like a laser beam on rooting out corruption and pushing for more transparency and accountability in government -- much needed in this era of big campaign donations and scandals. Hector's time will come to run for higher office, no doubt about it. First, he'll finish the job he started when he was elected to the State Auditor position in 2006.

I'll have more soon on how news of Colon's pending resignation as State Party Chair is prompting leaks from a number of possible candidates to replace him. Whole lotta movin' and shakin' goin' on.