Democracy for New Mexico

Last Day to Buy Tix for Equality Ball

Click on image for larger version

Do not miss out -- this is the last day to purchase your Equality Ball tickets. Tickets are going fast, do not miss your chance to attend this terrific event. Support Equality New Mexico as we continue our work in 2009. Click to view some of our Fabulous Auction Items.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Technorati Tags:Equality New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, EQNM, Equality Ball, GLBT

5/15: Progressives for Tim Keller for State Senator

PROGRESSIVES FOR TIM!
at the home of
RICHARD ROMERO & MARGIE LOCKWOOD
907 Silver Ave SW, ABQ 87102
Thursday, May 15th • 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Click for Flyer
(light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided)

Tim is endorsed by

• Former Senator and Pro Tem Richard Romero
• Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino
• City Councilor Rey Garduño
• Albuquerque Firefighters Local 244
• New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association
• Albuquerque Teachers Federation
• Conservation Voters New Mexico
• DFA-Democracy for New Mexico
• Progressive Action New Mexico
• ACORN

Tim Keller is running for State Senate District 17
in the Democratic Primary on June 3rd
challenging Shannon Robinson.

RSVP to tk@timkellerfornewmexico.com or call 332-9441
OR
Richard Romero at r.romero1@comcast.net or call 453-1986
$25, $50, $100, $250 suggested donation - all contributions welcome

If you can not attend, please consider donating online at www.timkellerfornewmexico.com.

Checks to Tim Keller for New Mexico
11023 Vistazo Pl SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87123
Tim Keller for New Mexico
Democrat/NM State Senate/District 17
11023 Vistazo Pl SE
505.400.0415
www.timkellerfornewmexico.com

Technorati Tags:Tim Keller, Albuquerque, New Mexico, New Mexico Legislature, New Mexico State Senate, Democrats, progressives, primaries

RSVP Now: Obama Campaign Vote for Change Kickoff in ABQ on 5/10

The Barack Obama campaign is launching its new 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive on May 10th at locations across the nation. In Albuquerque, Obama supporters will meet at the IBEW Union Hall at 4921 Alexander Blvd. NE (map) on Saturday, May 10, at 9:00 AM to kick off the Vote for Change effort in New Mexico.

Arrive a little before 9:00 AM for free coffee, juice, donuts, etc., and there will be voter registration training for those new to the process. Participants will fan out to do voter registration throughout the county. Anyone interested in participating may contact Ana Canales at alcanales@comcast.net or 515-9662, or click to RSVP for the event online.

Similar events will continue through the November election in all 50 states, including New Mexico. Recent voter registration drives organized by the Obama campaign have helped in gaining more than 200,000 new Democratic registrations in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana.

Message from Michelle Obama about Vote for Change:

In every state across the country, there are thousands of qualified voters who are not registered to vote. Some believe their vote doesn't matter, some have been actively disenfranchised, and some have been overlooked or excluded by a broken system that has lost touch with the concerns of ordinary Americans. Barack and I entered this race because we believe there's a chance to change that.

From the beginning, our goal has been to reach out to people of all races, ages, and backgrounds and bring them back into the political process. We must use the rare opportunity we have right now to bring people together and make this a better country for all Americans. That's why I'm excited to announce a 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive we're calling Vote for Change.

Beginning with a nationwide kick-off on Saturday, May 10th, more than 100 Vote for Change events will take place in every state, organized by our dedicated volunteers who are leading this campaign for change in their own communities.

Sign up to get involved now:  https://my.barackobama.com/voteforchange

This campaign is about the change in all of us -- it's about demanding that we live in a different world and being ready to fight for the vision that we have for our children. And that starts with being engaged and engaging others. If you're reading this, you're already somewhat engaged in this campaign. But if your experience is anything like mine, you know at least 20 other people who are not engaged, who are not focused on politics, and who may not vote in November.

If we are going to change this country, the change must come from the bottom up. That means reaching out in your community, in your circle of friends, and even in your family. You can help get new people involved in the process so together we can finally solve the problems that this country faces. Join Vote for Change today and start registering and mobilizing voters.

Throughout this campaign, we've seen millions of Americans get involved who have never been interested in politics, never volunteered on a campaign, and many who have never even registered to vote before. And some of our greatest successes have been recent.

Voter registration drives organized and conducted by supporters like you have registered more than 200,000 new Democrats in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana. Those numbers just scratch the surface of what's possible.

And that's why Barack needs you. He needs regular folks, engaged not just with their dollars, but also with their energy. If you get involved with Vote for Change now, you can help equip enough people in this country with the tools necessary to bring about the kind of change we so desperately need.

Politics in this country can no longer be the way it's been: divided, isolated and cynical. We know in our hearts it can be so much better. We've already come this far, and this nation-wide voter registration and mobilization drive is the next step. Be a part of Vote for Change, bring move voices into the political process, and help America move toward a future filled with hope.

Technorati Tags:Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Vote for Change, voter registration, Democrats, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Equal Voice Town Hall Set for 5/6, Santa Fe

From Health Action NM: You are invited to tell your stories to elected officials and candidates at an upcoming Equal Voice for America's Families event. Let your voice be heard on issues of: Living Wage, Clean Water, Affordable Housing, Health Care, Healthy Food, Immigration, Quality Education, Childcare.

MAY 6th EQUAL VOICES TOWN HALL
4:30-8:00 PM
EL MUSEO CULTURAL
1615 Paseo de Peralta Suite B, Santa Fe

• 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Food and Registration
• 5:30 PM - 5:45 PM Introduction
• 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM Table Discussions of important issues
• 6:45 PM - 7:45 PM Telling Stories
• 7:45 PM - 8:00 PM Looking Ahead/Conclusions

SPONSORED BY: The Marguerite Casey Foundation, The NM Community Foundation, NM Acequias Association, Tewa Women United, Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe Indian Center Inc., Somos Un Pueblos, Santa Fe Living Wage Network, Health Action New Mexico, and Siete del Norte For More Info: jeyrich@iaia.edu or , Para Espanol- somos@rt66.com.

Technorati Tags:Santa Fe, New Mexico, Equal Voice for America's Families, health care, living wage, immigration, education

NM Cover the Uninsured Events Scheduled for April & May

From ACI: As part of Cover the Uninsured Week, the Association of Commerce and Industry is sponsoring an Employers’ Health Coverage Symposium to look at how the business community can help be part of the solution for health coverage for the uninsured. The Employers’ Health Symposium will focus on public and private options available for employers with a panel of national and state experts as well as New Mexico businesses that are successfully using the State Coverage Insurance program. We'd like to invite you to attend this important meeting.

EMPLOYER HEALTH COVERAGE SYMPOSIUM
Monday, April 28, 2-4:00 PM
CNM Workforce Training Center
5600 Eagle Rock Ave. NE, ABQ
Please RSVP to Robin at 505-250-3105 or robinhunn@comcast.net

Click for FLYER (doc) with info on additional Cover the Insured events in April and May, including a AARP Town Hall Forum on Health Care Issues on April 29 at 9:30-11 AM at Hotel Albuquerque.

Cover the Uninsured Week is a national initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to raise awareness about the 47 million Americans without health insurance and to help get people coverage. Over 400,000 New Mexicans don’t have health insurance—the 2nd worst rate in the U.S. Most of these people are eligible for state programs but not signed up. Cover the Uninsured New Mexico wants to let people know about options for health insurance coverage and will be holding events throughout April and May.

Cover the Uninsured Week New Mexico is sponsored by: AARP New Mexico, Association of Commerce and Industry, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Mexico, Con Alma Health Foundation, Health Action New Mexico, Lovelace Health System, Molina Healthcare, New Mexico Hospital Association, and Presbyterian Healthcare Services.

Technorati Tags:Cover the Uninsured, New Mexico, town halls, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Cover the Uninsured Week, symposiums

Get Your Tickets Now: David Iglesias Booksigning & Talk in ABQ 5/18/08

This one sounds like a must-see. Former U.S. Attorney for New Mexico, David Iglesias, will be signing and discussing his important new book and the roles played in his abrupt firing by familiar figures like Rep. Heather Wilson, Sen. Pete Domenici and Karl Rove. 

David Iglesias: Sunday, May 18, 2008, 6:30 PM
IN JUSTICE: INSIDE THE SCANDAL THAT ROCKED THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
Simms Auditorium on the Albuquerque Academy Campus
6400 Wyoming NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109 (Map)
Presented by Page One Books

Each person must have a ticket to enter event. Tickets are free. Pick up a numbered ticket at Page One Bookstores or the Albuquerque Academy Bookstore. Seating is limited. Books can be purchased at event or at Page One Bookstore. Publication date is May 15.

From Page One:
The Bush administration’s drive to politicize the Justice Department reached a new low with the wrongful firing of seven U.S. Attorneys in late 2006. Their action has ignited public outrage on a scale that far surpassed the reaction to any of the Bush administration’s other political debacles. David Iglesias was one of those federal prosecutors, and now he tells his story.

Iglesias has long served in the Navy as part of the JAG corps. One of his earliest cases, about an assaulted Marine in Guantanamo Bay, became the basis for the movie A Few Good Men. When Bush chose him to become the U.S. Attorney for New Mexico, it was a dream come true. He was a core member of Karl Rove’s idealized Republican Party of the future — handsome, Hispanic, evangelical, and a military veteran. The dream came to an abrupt end when Senator Pete Domenici improperly called Iglesias, wanting him to indict high-level Democrats before the 2006 elections. When Iglesias refused, the line went dead. Iglesias was fired just weeks later. First, he was devastated. Then, he was angry. Now, he is speaking out.

Iglesias recounts his interactions with Bush, Rove, Alberto Gonzales, and other key players as he takes readers into his time at the Justice Department to reveal what top Republican officials said and did, and how they subverted justice (Wiley).

Also see my post from last month that discusses a review of the Iglesias book by Dahlia Lithwick at Slate.

Page One Bookstore
11018 Montgomery Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
505-294-2026

Albuquerque Academy Bookstore
6400 Wyoming NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109 (Map)

Technorati Tags:David Iglesias, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Justice Department, Heather Wilson, Pete Domenici, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Karl Rove, In Justice

Tonight: NM-01 Dem Candidate Debate at UNM Law School

The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County has its regular Third Thursday Meeting tonight, April 17, at 6:00 PM in Room 2401 at UNM Law School at 1117 Stanford NE in Albuquerque (map). The first hour will be devoted to new procedures for voting registrars. However, starting at 7:00 PM, there'll be a Dem NM-01 Congressional candidate forum that's open to the public. All four Democratic candidates have confirmed they'll be participating: Martin Heinrich, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rebecca Vigil-Giron and Robert Pidcock. With the June 3rd primary election coming up fast, and early voting starting on May 6th, it's time to get familiar with the candidates.

Technorati Tags:Democratic Party of Bernalillo County, NM-01, Democrats, Martin Heinrich, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rebecca Vigil-Giron, Robert Pidcock, primaries

Celebrate Emerge NM Class of '08 at Friday Reception

From Emerge NM:
We want to thank each and every one of you who helped to spread the word about Emerge NM during these past few months. With your help, we are proud to introduce our 2008 participants! Please celebrate with us this Friday nite at a reception in ABQ - and help us to welcome the women in emergeNM's 2008 class:

EMERGE NM 2008 RECEPTION
JOIN US AS WE PRESENT
The 2008 CLASS PARTICIPANTS
When: Friday, April 18, 2008
Where: 9103 Lynx Loop NE, Albuquerque
Time: 6:30 PM

The suggested $50 donation will be used to train Democratic women to run for public office and win! Emerge NM 2008 class includes:

Erika Anderson
Sara Attleson
Kelley Burns
Rosemary Cosgrove Aguilar
Nancy Denker
Miriam Diemer
Catherine Jabar
Julie Lucero
Helen Maestas
Lisa McNiven
Hazel Mella
Diana Montoya Boyer
Loretta Naranjo Lopez
Alejandra Nava
Yvette Ramirez Ammerman
Angela Reynolds
Stephanie Richard
Reena Szczepanski

Onward and forward,
Anathea Chino, President, Emerge New Mexico 

Directions to 9103 Lynx Loop from Paseo del Norte & Tramway

1.  Go South on Tramway to San Bernardino (1st traffic light).  Turn left/east.

2.  Follow San Bernardino to Tramway Lane (first stop sign). Turn Right.

3.  Follow Tramway Lane through the next stop sign (at Deer Road) and turn on Lynx Loop (second and third lefts after the stop sign).

The house is on the north side of the street.  We share an entrance to our driveway with our neighbors (9102). Our driveway is the long driveway on the right. The house is set back from the street. There is a second story balcony facing the street.

Emerge Alums Running for Office
Please contact each woman individually to find out more about her campaign and how you can get involved

Christina Argyres: Metro Court Judge
Committee to Elect Christina P. Argyres,
1200 Georgia NE, ABQ 87110
(505) 245-7063

Karen Giannini: State House District 30
(505) 480-9766

Roxanne Lara:
Eddy County Commission District 5
Lara for Commissioner, 310 N Canyon, Carlsbad 88220
(575) 628-8248 or (575) 706-3879, votelara@windstream.net

Janice Saxton: State House District 22
123 Juniper Road, Placitas 87043 jnjsaxton@msn.com

LaVerne Wyaco: State Senate District 4
Committee to Elect LaVerne Wyaco,
PO Box 1720, Gallup 87305, www.lavernewyaco.com

Technorati Tags:Emerge New Mexico, New Mexico, women candidates, women in politics

(Updated) NM-02: Grant County Progressives Sponsor Silver City Dem Candidate Forum

UPDATE: I just learned that Harry Teague has turned down the invitation for the candidate forum as explained by the Grant County Progressives: "Harry Teague, district two Democratic candidate for Congress, is going to be a no-show. District two Democratic candidate for Congress Bill McCamley will definitely be attending for the whole event. Because of that, we have decided to invite all of the Democratic candidates for Grant County Commission Dists. 2 and 3 to join us at the Silco Theater to speak and answer questions in concert with Bill McCamley. Most of the commission candidates have already accepted."
*****************
From John Fridinger and Richard Earnhart, Silver City:
A number of local Progressives here in Grant County have voiced an interest in hearing what the two Democratic candidates running to replace Republican Steve Pearce in Congressional District 2 have to say. Several of us would like to help that conversation happen outside of the framework of a political party. 

We have gotten together to rent the Silco Theater for April 30th from 6:30-8:30 PM, and we've invited Harry Teague and Bill McCamley to come, meet, greet, and talk about their respective positions on issues important to Progressive members of this community. The format will be questions from the audience with answers from the candidates.

Progressive Forum for Congressional District 2
Democratic Candidates Harry Teague (invited) & Bill McCamley
Wednesday, April 30, 6:30-8:30 PM
Silco Theater, 311 Bullard Street, Downtown Silver City
Come early and bring a voting friend!

Mr. McCamley has accepted and we are on his schedule, and though we don't have a confirmation from Mr. Teague's campaign at this writing. We hope that he makes the right decision to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

The Democratic Party Primary is on June 3rd. Only registered Democrats can vote in the June primary.

Both of these candidates want your vote. Meet them face to face, make up your minds, help them to win in June and then most importantly in November.  NOW is the time for us to begin to get rid of the Bush administration clone Steve Pearce.  Let's let these two fellows know what really matters to Progressives.

This event is co-sponsored by the Grant County Progressives.

To see our previous coverage of the 2008 NM-02 Congressional race, see our archive.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,

Mark Your Calendars: NM-01 Candidate Forum on Health Care

The League of Women Voters Albuquerque-Bernalillo County and Health Action New Mexico are cosponsoring a health care forum with the candidates for the First Congressional District seat. All candidates have confirmed their participation:

Thursday, May 8th, 2008, 7 to 8:30 PM
First Unitarian Church
3701 Carlisle Boulevard NE, Albuquerque

Interested in health care issues such as: Medicare; SCHIP; cost of pharmaceuticals; cost of health care; expanding health care coverage and other federal health care issues? Come hear the candidates from the Republican and Democratic Parties discuss their positions on these and other important health care issues. The candidates will take written questions from the audience. The public is encouraged to attend.

For more information call 505-884-8441 or 505-867-1095 or visit the following websites: www.healthactionnm.org or www.lwvabc.org.

Candidates for the NM-01 Congressional seat are:

Democrats:

• Rebecca Vigil-Giron
• Michelle Lujan Grisham
• Martin Heinrich
• Robert Pidcock

Republicans:

• Joe Carraro
• Darren White

To read our previous coverage of the 2008 Congressional race in NM-01, visit our archive.