Democracy for New Mexico

Obama, Heinrich, Wivottt Winners of Sandoval County Dem Straw Poll

The Sandoval County Democratic Club and the Sandoval County Democratic Women's Club co-hosted a Straw Poll at a gathering last night in Rio Rancho. About 150 people attended.

In the presidential nomination poll, Javier Gonzales, the Chairman of New Mexico Highlands University's Board of Regents, spoke in support of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Former State Democratic Party Chairman John Wertheim spoke on behalf of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Obama beat Clinton by a 50-41 margin, while John Edwards finished third with 28 votes.

Martin Heinrich won the Straw Poll for NM-01 Congressional candidates with 83% of the vote. Michelle Lujan Grisham was second with five votes. In the NM-03 Congressional candidate poll, Don Wiviott won by a margin of 51-34 with Ben R. Lujan coming in second. The Wiviott campaign issued this statement about their win:

“I’m encouraged by the support I received in Sandoval County, one of the largest counties in the district. It is clear that Democrats are ready for a change from the “business as usual” politics of Washington,” Wiviott said. “I’ve spent my life promoting responsible clean energy solutions and creating jobs. I will fight for communities in northern New Mexico—both urban and rural—creating a place where our families can succeed and our children can get a great education, good paying jobs, and raise their families.”

Over the last two decades, Wiviott has built a successful New Mexico-based business and established himself as one of the nation’s leading “green builders.” His projects in Santa Fe, like the Lofts, have helped create jobs, grow the economy and protect New Mexico’s precious natural resources. 

The Third Congressional District contains all of San Juan, Mora, Colfax, Union, Harding, Curry, Roosevelt, Los Alamos, Taos, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Quay, and most of Santa Fe, Sandoval, and McKinley counties. 

If you're a bit confused about who's running for our three open Congressional seats and one open U.S. Senate seat, check out New Mexico FBIHOP's easy .

(Updated) Support True Blue New Mexico: Diss Rove and Cheney

UPDATE: We've posted a guest blog by Martin Heinrich about moving beyond the politics of Karl Rove, and in support of our True Blue New Mexico effort. Check it out.
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This is an effort organized by the New Mexico netroots including and this blog.

Have you heard? The Bush-Cheney-Rove machine is still going strong, working to maintain the far right's obstructive stranglehold on Congress and beyond. Turns out Karl Rove will appear at a fundraiser for the New Mexico GOP today in Artesia, NM. And in D.C. today, Dick Cheney will host a campaign fundraiser for Steve Pearce's Senate run. He's already done a similar event for Heather Wilson, the other Repub candidate for Senate here, with the same $5000/PAC and $2000/person price tag. Given how much Republican elites have gained financially during Bush's two terms, they have a lot of money to burn for the cause, don't they?

As usual, these Repub affairs will bring in big dinero for New Mexico's Bush cronies. What can we do about it? Fight back with True Blue New Mexico! We might not be able to match the big donations of BushCo, but we can certainly blunt some of their clout with hundreds of small donations from ordinary people.

We've set up a special fundraising page at Act Blue to support the campaigns of Senate candidate Tom Udall, Martin Heinrich (NM-01), Bill McCamley (NM-02) and whichever Dem wins the primary in NM-03. Every dollar you donate from now until next Wednesday will go towards helping turn New Mexico's Congressional Delegation True Blue -- and fight back on behalf of Democrats against the relentless BushCo money machine. How can you resist?

The True Blue New Mexico Candidates
True Blue New Mexico is supporting current NM-03 Rep Tom Udall for U.S. Senate. Having voted against such travesties as the invasion of Iraq and the Patriot Act, Rep. Udall is a True Blue New Mexico progressive. His environmental credentials are impeccable and New Mexicans from every corner of the state respect Tom for his integrity, honesty and passion for Democratic principles like fairness and working for the common good. Think about what it would mean to New Mexicans from all walks of life to replace the pinched perspective of Pete Domenici with the forward-looking vision of Tom Udall -- while keeping right-wing Bush rubberstamps like Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson out of the Senate chamber altogether.

In NM-01, True Blue New Mexico is backing former Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, who's been working hard within the local conservation and environmental communities for many moons. He's been instrumental in raising the minimum wage for Albuquerque, promoting smart growth over sprawl. He's won award after award for his work to preserve and maintain New Mexico's stunning landscapes. Now he's calling for an Apollo-style program to achieve energy independence and cut greenhouse gases. Against the Iraq invasion from the start, Heinrich wants to end the occupation as soon as possible and start using the billions being spent there to benefit our pressing human, clean energy and infrastructure needs here at home. Think what it would mean to New Mexicans if we replace Heather Wilson's hypocrisies with someone who really does care about the people. Side benefit? We can keep likely Repub candidate Darren White -- who chaired the Bush-Cheney campaign in Bernalillo County -- out of the halls of Congress and away from the fray.

True Blue New Mexico believes the fresh, creative, passionate voice of Bill McCamley needs to be heard in the U.S. House representing NM-02. Running a truly grassroots operation fueled by the people power of small donations -- and face-fo-face dialogue with voters all over Southern New Mexico -- McCamley is known for working hard while other candidates are hardly working. McCamley was a breath of fresh air during his service on the Dona Ana County Commission, pushing to tamp down the destructive effects of down and dirty sprawl development and inject the process with ethical, reasonable safeguards. He's helped solve long-standing battles over water and improved health care financing. With a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, McCamley is smart, organized and effective in whatever he tackles. In a diverse district, McCamley uses effective negotiation skills, honesty and common sense to bring people together to solve problems. Think of replacing Steve Pearce with a Congressman dedicated to creating solutions -- not pushing rightwing ideologies at any cost.

Because there are several excellent candidates in NM-03, True Blue New Mexico decided to raise campaign funds for the eventual primary winner. Green builder Don Wiviott, PRC member Ben Ray Lujan and Jemez Pueblo member Benny Shendo, among others in the crowded field up north, are running lively campaigns to get on the Dem primary ballot. Whoever wins, we hope the funds we raise for the eventual nominee in NM-03 will help them carry forward the progressive platform of current Congressman Tom Udall.

Many Small Donations = Big Mojo
The forces of the Bush-Cheney -Rove agenda may have the big donors and Beltway clout to try and have their way in New Mexico's Congressional districts. What they don't have is authentic grassroots-netroots people power -- the many coming together to support a common cause. If we all pull together and toss a few bucks into the effort right now, we can be instrumental in achieving a True Blue New Mexico. We can add a second Democrat to New Mexico's Senate roster and help transform our U.S. House delegation from 2 Repubs and 1 Democrat to all True Blue. Any donation, no matter how small, will help do the trick. We can't let Rove and Cheney go unanswered today, now can we?

For our previous coverage of these races, visit our archives:

• 2008 U.S. Senate Race
• NM-01 Congressional Race
• NM-02 Congressional Race
• NM-03 Congressional Race

NM Senate Leaders Pre-File Bill to Restore Petition Signature Option for Candidates

The pre-filing of a bill to restore the petition signature option for statewide and federal candidates to get on the ballot if they don't get 20% of the vote at party pre-primary conventions was just announced in the press release below. Don Wiviott, a Democratic candidate for Congress in NM-03, filed a lawsuit yesterday asking the Santa Fe District Court to determine whether the 20% requirement, passed unanimously into law last legislative session as part of a larger bill, is constitutional.

Press Release: Santa Fe, NM – Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez (D-Valencia County) announced that on December 17, 2007 he and Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle pre-filed Senate Bill 1, Primary Ballot Access for Certain Candidates. The bill allows candidates for statewide offices to be placed on primary ballots by petition of signatures. During last year’s legislative session that provision was removed in House Bill 1156 thereby requiring candidates to receive at least 20% of preprimary convention delegates before their names could be placed on the ballot.

Senate Bill 1 restores the language that was deleted in last year’s bill. “It’s important that candidates continue to be allowed other avenues for getting on the ballot. The system we have had for many years was working well. Restoring the original language is the right thing to do because giving voters choices is what it’s all about,” said Sen. Sanchez.

Pursuant to Senate Rule 11-12-1, amended during last year’s legislative session, senators may pre-file legislation from December 15 through the Friday before the regular session. This year senators may pre-file bills from December 17, 2007 through January 11, 2008. Pre-filed legislation will be introduced and referred to committee on the first day of the regular session which begins on January 15, 2008.

Senate Bill 1 and all other pre-filed bills are posted at the New Mexico Legislature’s website. A link to the website is available on the Senate Democrats’ website www.nmsenate.com.

DFA-DFNM Meetup Tonight: Ben Ray Lujan and More

This month's Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup is set for tonight at 7:00 PM at the Social Hall at the First Unitarian Church on the SW corner of Carlisle and Comanche. We're pleased to have as our special guest PRC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan, a Democrat who's running for Congress in NM-03. We'll also hear from Irene Parra of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and discuss the upcoming New Mexico Legislative Session that begins at Noon on January 15th. To sign up for the group and/or RSVP for tonight's Meetup click here. Should be another lively get together of Albuquerque's progressive grassroots.

NM-03: Wiviott Files Suit Challenging Ballot Access Law; Asks Dem Field to Join Him

The Don Wiviott for Congress campaign issued the following statement today:

Santa Fe, NM – With speculation mounting that a new ballot access law will prevent New Mexico from having full and fair elections this November, Don Wiviott Thursday called on the entire field of Democratic candidates to join him in fighting for a more open political process this primary season.  Home builder Wiviott is a Democratic candidate for CD-03, the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Udall.

Wiviott specifically took aim at House Bill 1156, which was signed into law last year. The bill severely limits the number of candidates that political parties can place on their primary ballots. Under the new law, parties can only place on their ballots those candidates that receive at least 20 percent of delegates at a pre-primary convention.  Under prior law, candidates were able to obtain access to the ballot by submitting additional nominating petitions from registered voters.

“This law runs contrary to the values of New Mexico and the Democratic party,” said Wiviott.  “Instead of giving primary voters the opportunity to hear and select from the full chorus of voices in the Democratic party, it seeks to limit access to the ballot to a well-connected few. There is no reason for such severe limits. Elections ought to be a contest of ideas, and open and fair to everyone.  We shouldn’t seek to restrict debate or cut some out of the process.”

As Wiviott noted, the new 20 percent threshold may have unintended consequences for the Democratic Party this Fall.  In races like the 3rd Congressional district where multiple candidates have announced their intention to run, a 20 percent threshold may be impossible for anyone to meet.  With so many candidates in the race, Democrats face the very real possibility that the delegate vote will be split so many ways that no candidate receives 20 percent.  Should that happen, the law has no provisions for review or appeal. Democrats would simply be left without a candidate on the primary and general election ballots in November.

“Without serious revisions in the law, we might see a scenario where Congressman Udall’s seat is simply handed to Republicans in November,” said Wiviott.  “We need a member of Congress who will fight for affordable health care and to end the War in Iraq , but under that scenario, New Mexico would lose its progressive voice in Washington.”

Wiviott continued, “This is really a civil rights issue.  Minorities -- especially Native Americans -- will find it tougher to get on the ballot throughout New Mexico under this new system.  That’s unacceptable.  New Mexico is about fostering diversity and this new ballot system will limit diversity and make it harder for some minorities to get on the ballot.  That doesn’t reflect our values.”

Wiviott added, “As I’ve met with the Democrats who will decide who gets on the ballot under this new system, I’ve been getting a very positive reaction so I expect to get on the ballot if this lawsuit fails.  But I got involved in this race to promote certain ideals, such as diversity and civil rights.  I’m filing this lawsuit because this new voting system fails those ideals.”

In order to open up the political process to everyone and ensure New Mexico voters have a choice this November, Wiviott said Thursday he has filed a suit in the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe to challenge HB 1156 and the restrictions it places on ballot access and on voter choice.  Wiviott said he hoped the entire field of Democratic candidates would join him in fighting the law.

“If there is one thing all Democratic candidates can agree on, it is that the Democratic primary should be open and fair,” said Wiviott. “Anyone who wants to participate should be able to compete.”

Wiviott said Thursday he has retained an attorney to oversee the suit and is awaiting word from other candidates about whether or not they will join his effort.

To see our previous coverage of the 2008 NM-03 Congressional race, visit our archive.

By Midnight: Last Chance to Support Candidates in 2007

The final campaign fundraising quarter of 2007 ends tonight at Midnight. Good numbers at this point in the election cycle can create buzz, mojo and and edge for candidates, especially those who might not be getting the full-throttle praise routine from the conventional, politics as usual crowd. If you support a candidate who's an underdog of sorts, or who's a particular favorite of yours, now's the time to kick in a few more bucks to top off the year. Donate the cost of a couple of bottles of champagne and you won't have a headache in the morning.

Here are the candidates I'm personally supporting with donations as 2007 edges towards the New Year:

NM-01: Martin Heinrich
Heinrich's environmental credentials are impeccable. He's smart, reasonable, honest and a very hard worker. He fought for working people, ethics reform, and green innovations on the Albuquerque City Council and I know he'll do the same in Washington. He's been working his you know what off since he entered the race, and his common sense, progressive views are top of the line. Added bonus: if you donate between now and Midnight, you get a chance at a free dinner with Martin at Scalo (or a NM goodie package if you live outside the area or can't make it in person). Donate to the Heinrich campaign.

NM-02: Bill McCamley
If you heard Dona Ana County Commissioner McCamley speak at this Fall's Dem Party SCC meeting or at another gathering this year, you know what I mean about his energy, commitment to Democratic principles and enthusiasm. He's been driving the district for months, racking up thousands of miles on his car and gaining coverts wherever he goes. He's running a creative, truly grassroots campaign and has attracted more than $200,000 in donations so far, most of them small. His campaign office in Las Cruces opens next month. According to some of the powers that be, Democrats in the 2nd District are all supposed to fall in line and support old-line oilman Harry Teague now that Rep. Joe Cervantes is out of the race. Does that sound like a wise choice at a time when development issues and a critical transformation to a renewable energy economy are the hot topics?

NM-03: Don Wiviott
I strongly supported Wiviott's courageous jump into the U.S. Senate race when everyone else was afraid to confront incumbent Sen. Pete Domenici. When Rep. Tom Udall decided to run for Senate, Don bowed out and endorsed him because they share so many of the same values. They are a lot alike. Wiviott is now running for Congress in the Third District and I'm still supporting him as a candidate. His progressive positions are on the mark, he's a fighter through and through and he's passionately committed to the big changes we need to meet the unique challenges of this turbulent era. Donate to the Wiviott campaign. 

State Senate District 15: John Blair
I got to know Blair via Dem Party activities and he's definitely one of the good guys. He's going up against an incumbent Republican who pretends to be "moderate" but votes like she's owned by all the wrong campaign donors. We need a real Democrat in this seat and Blair is that in spades. This race is expected to be a long, fierce battle and Blair needs resources now to start things off with an edge. Donate to the Blair campaign.

Of course there are many other excellent Dem candidates who'll need our support in the coming year, but I believe these four will benefit most from a strong fundraising showing this quarter. If you agree with my choices, I hope you'll give a few bucks to each. If not, I hope you'll decide to contribute to your own slate of candidates who need it most right now. And I mean now.

To read our previous coverage on these races, visit our archives:

• NM-01 Race
• NM-02 Race
• NM-03 Race
• NM Legislative Races

NM-03: Wiviott Says Energy Bill a Good ‘First Step;’ More Action Needed

Calling Congressional passage of an energy bill a good “first step,” Santa Fe small businessman and NM-03 Congressional candidate Don Wiviott said today that America’s leaders must do more to make America energy independent. Wiviott, a home builder who has pioneered green-building practices in New Mexico and is a highly respected voice on energy conservation, has made energy independence a major focus of his campaign.

“When it comes to issues like global warming and energy conservation, recent days have brought progress from Washington, DC, to Bali,” said Wiviott. “The energy bill in Congress is a good first-step, but it is only that –- a first step. Now that we’re moving in the right direction, we must pick up the pace and make up for lost time.”

As a home builder, Wiviott says he designs projects with one goal in mind: reducing their impact on the environment. His work, including Santa Fe’s THE LOFTS, has been praised for incorporating renewable materials, for taking advantage of the latest energy efficient technologies and for finding innovative ways to recycle water and waste. Wiviott’s energy-efficient communities are home to hundreds of New Mexico businesses and residents.

Wiviott’s commitment to enacting smarter energy policies goes beyond his business. When the 2007 New Mexico Legislature enacted legislation to promote clean energy, Don was a leading voice urging them to increase solar initiatives.

“Our security, our economy and our way of life depend on us making greater use of renewable energy sources,” said Wiviott. “We need a major investment in clean energy, which is why, as a Congressman, I will call for an Apollo-like project to develop strategies and technologies that will help us combat global warming and move towards energy independence. “

Wiviott noted that it was a Democratic Congress that ushered the energy bill through.

“For too long, this White House and Republicans in Congress ignored the growing energy crisis. While families paid more at the pump and evidence of global warming continued to mount, they sat on their hands. Today, Democrats in Congress put America back on track. Now it is time for George Bush to come to the table, stop dragging his feet and finally to take action to develop a real renewable energy policy.”

Wiviott continued, “The time has come and gone for political posturing on this issue. America needs everyone to come together and get the job done. As someone who knows that economic success and environmental protection go hand-in-hand, I have the ability to bring all sides together in Washington and make the real progress America needs.”

To read our previous coverage of the 2008 NM-03 Congressional race, visit our archive.

NM-03: Ben Ray Lujan to Kickoff Campaign in Santa Fe Friday

Ben R. Luján, chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, will conduct a news conference and kick-off rally Friday, December 14, 2007 at 11:45 AM in Santa Fe at the State Capitol and in Rio Rancho at the Best Western Hotel, 1465 Rio Rancho Blvd. from 6:00-7:00 PM to officially announce his candidacy for U.S. Congress in Northern New Mexico's Third District. During the next few months Luján will travel across the district to announce his run for Congress and to talk with voters about the many critical issues that confront New Mexico and our nation.

“As we enter the New Year we are preparing to vote in one of the most important elections of our lifetime. This election will impact generations to come. Together we can make a positive difference that will benefit the citizens of New Mexico and hold the Bush Administration accountable for its disastrous policies. New Mexicans want to change the misguided policies and uncompromising opposition to our Democratic ideals and principles so that we can make positive progress to take America in a new, improved direction,” said Luján.

Over the past three years Luján has served as a commissioner and chairman of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. He has been a committed advocate for increased research and development of renewable energy and has safeguarded New Mexico consumers rights and interests. He has also taken tough stances against corporate interests to provide a strong voice for the people of New Mexico.

“With the help of New Mexico’s voters I will continue to keep fighting for and protecting the interests of the people of New Mexico in Congress,” Luján said.

Click for a schedule of Luján’s weekend campaign activities, including visits to Las Vegas, Mora, Taos, Espanola and Pojoaque. His candidate website will be up soon at www.BenRLujan.com to provide updates on dates and times when he will be in communities district-wide.

Other Dem candidates in the NM-03 race include green builder Don Wiviott; Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya; and Bennie Shendo, Jr. of Jemez Pueblo, Secretary of the NM Indian Affairs Department. To read our previous coverage of the 2008 Congressional race in NM-03, visit our archive.

NM-03: Wiviott Files Papers to Enter Congressional Race in Northern NM

Santa Fe small businessman and Democrat Don Wiviott announced today that he has filed the necessary papers with the Federal Election Commission to run for Congress in New Mexico’s third congressional district.

Wiviott released a statement today commenting on his entry into the race. “This summer, I announced my intention to run for the U.S. Senate because I believed that New Mexico needed another strong, progressive voice representing us. Congressman Udall is a good friend of mine and a great legislator—his decision to seek that Senate seat guarantees that a progressive voice will be heard. So I’m running in the tradition of Tom Udall to succeed him in the House of Representatives.”

Wiviott’s initial commitment to his congressional campaign is $325,000. Wiviott explained, “I am not a career politician, but another career politician is the last thing New Mexico or our country needs. As someone who is not a career politician, I understand that it’s going to take money to introduce myself to the people of northern New Mexico and explain why I’ll do the best job of fighting for them in Washington for better healthcare and a cleaner environment. I’ve personally committed to making sure my campaign has the needed resources.”

Wiviott continued, “Under George Bush, Washington has failed the people of New Mexico and we need a change. George Bush has gotten us involved in an endless civil war in Iraq—as the son of two veterans, I know the best way to support our troops is to bring them home and that’s how I’ll vote in Congress. George Bush has opposed providing thousands of New Mexico children with the healthcare they need—I’ll fight for quality, affordable healthcare for every child in New Mexico. And George Bush has put polluters in charge of protecting our environment—I’ve spent my life promoting responsible clean energy solutions and that’s what I’ll do in Washington.”

Over the last two decades, Wiviott has built a successful New Mexico-based business and established himself as one of the nation’s leading “green builders.” His projects in Santa Fe, like the Lofts, have helped create jobs, grow the economy and protect New Mexico’s precious natural resources. 

The Third Congressional District contains all of San Juan, Mora, Colfax, Union, Curry, Roosevelt, Los Alamos, Taos, Rio Arriba, San Miguel and most of Santa Fe, Sandoval, and McKinley counties. 

For more information about the campaign, please check Wiviott's revamped website at:

www.donfornewmexico.com.

To read our previous coverage of the 2008 U.S. Senate race click here. To see our past coverage on the NM-03 Congressional race, click here.

(Updated With Internal Poll, AP Story) Udall & Wiviott: Latest on U.S. Senate Race in New Mexico

UPDATE: The Associated Press is now reporting that Tom Nagle, Tom Udall's Chief of Staff, Tom Nagle, has stated,"He's definitely running." Nagle also said Udall will formally announce his decision in New Mexico during Congress's Thanksgiving recess. In addition, DraftUdall and SwingStateProject have released an internal poll conducted for Udall by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin and Associates during the period October 23-27, 2007 that again shows strong numbers for Udall:

Even more telling in terms of pretty much destroying Marty Chavez's claim that Udall wouldn't do well in the general election because he's "too far to the left," Udall significantly beats Marty's numbers with self-described "moderate" voters in the general:

In addition, Udall is very strong with Dem primary voters, including Hispanics and Bernalillo County residents: "Udall is the clear preference among likely Democratic primary voters for the nomination. In a three-way contest with Chávez and Developer Don Wiviott, Udall also reaches 50 percent support and holds a 20-point lead over Chávez. Udall holds strong leads among Hispanic and self-described moderate and conservative Democratic primary voters, as well as those who live in Bernalillo County, as shown below."

The polling firm also reports low favorables and high unfavorables for Chavez and just the opposite for Udall.

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Original Post:

I have it on very good authority that Rep. Tom Udall is announcing to his long-time supporters tonight that he will, indeed, enter the U.S. Senate race. And that Don Wiviott (left), the first Dem brave enough to run for Senate back when Domenici was still saying he would run for re-election in 2008, intends to withdraw his candidacy if Udall makes an official public announcement of his entry. I've also learned that Don intends to seriously explore running for Congress in NM-03 if he does end up withdrawing from the Senate race. I hope he does. He's one of the good guys who decided to run for office for all the right reasons.