Democracy for New Mexico

NM-03: Luján Campaign Grassroots Rally This Friday

NM-03 Congressional candidate will hold a grassroots rally for supporters in Santa Fe this Friday. According to the campaign, the rally is anticipated to be the largest event held by a candidate running for the Democratic nomination in the 3rd Congressional District:

Grassroots Ralley: Friday, May 9, 2008, 5:30 PM
Alumni Hall, College of Santa Fe, 1600 Saint Michaels Dr.

At the rally, Luján will unveil his county coordinators, key supporters in each county who will drive local voter turnout. Ben will introduce each county coordinator to those in attendance. The county coordinators are just part of an innovative campaign structure that will focus on the people of New Mexico. Local leaders will interact with the campaign and voters in their area to build support for Ben in every county. The bottom-up strategy will provide Ben with an opportunity to listen to and respond to individual voters in each county.

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You Say It's Your Birthday ...

Back from a few days celebrating my birthday, including a visit to Taos and other points in Northern New Mexico. Up near Pilar, the Rio Grande is rushing with a rowdy Spring melt-off (video clip-turn up sound) and the cottonwoods are just turning that singular shade of chartreuse they take on when their leaves emerge. It's lush and very green in many areas up North due to the heavy winter snowfalls. Mary Ellen engineered a special surprise visit from my oldest and best friend, who flew in from Chicago to join the festivities. Her birthday is the day before mine. Two peas in a pod in many ways.

We drove up I-25 to 84-285 to 68 along the river and over to Taos. On our return, we took the High Road through Las Trampas, Truchas and Chimayo. The peaks of the Sangre de Christos are still magnificently snow-packed. Political signs were abundant amidst the towns and Pueblos all over the North.

One of our best birthday presents was the news on the radio on the way back reporting Obama's big win in North Carolina and his holding Clinton to a squeeker in Indiana. I think we have our nominee. Finally. The only thing left for the Clinton campaign to decide is when and how to bow out. Let's hope she does it soon and gracefully.

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NM-01: SEIU Endorses Martin Heinrich

Yesterday the local and national branches of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) formally endorsed Martin Heinrich's campaign for Congress. They're the 13th union to officially endorse Martin's candidacy. No other 1st Congressional District candidate has received a union endorsement.

"Martin Heinrich is a relentless fighter for working families" said Megan Sweeney, SEIU Regional Political Director. "Martin comes from humble roots and those values have guided him throughout his life. From winning the tough minimum wage fight to creating good jobs, Martin Heinrich has a strong record of standing with middle class New Mexicans. In Congress, Martin will lead the fight to turn our economy around and create stable, good paying jobs."

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¡Todos Para Tim! Launches to Support Tim Keller for State Senate

From Keller for State Senate:
Calling for change, local elected officials and neighborhood leaders will launch ¡Todos Para Tim! in support of Tim Keller's candidacy for State Senate in District 17. City Councilor Rey Garduño, whose council district makes up part of Senate District 17, will host the kick-off event.

¡Todos Para Tim! launch will take place on Thursday, May 8, at the home of Rey and Ilsa Garduño, 414 Vassar NE, from 5:30-7:30 PM. Please call 332-9441 for more information. Please see this FLYER for a complete list of the ¡Todos Para Tim! steering committee.

"The support for my campaign is as diverse as my district—and I'm proud of that. We're gaining momentum largely in part because more people are coming forward to say it's time for change. I'm grateful to have the support of well respected Democrats and neighborhood leaders," says Tim.

Local leaders have this to say:

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NM-02: Kissling Endorses McCamley

Today Congressional candidate and Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley announced that Al Kissling (right), the 2006 Democratic nominee for New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, was endorsing his candidacy for US Congress.

“Bill and I may not agree on everything, but I have been very impressed with his energy and efforts crisscrossing this extensive district and making contact with the people,” said Kissling. “For me, issues are critical in this campaign because we need someone in Congress who can work to solve problems and not just fill the seat. I have watched Bill as grows in his knowledge of the issues, and I feel that he will continue to develop in this area.”

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Judge Elizabether Whitefield Needs Your Vote

You may be aware that Judge Elizabeth Whitefield's opponent recently dropped out of her race. That means she is now unopposed for the June Democratic Primary and the November General Election.  However, because her opponent dropped out too late to take his name off the primary ballot and also due to some uncertainties in the Election Code, Judge Whitefield needs your vote. Democrats of Bernalillo County, please vote for Judge Elizabeth Whitefield for District Court Judge in the 25th Division in the June Primary!. Don't forget that absentee and in-person early voting begins May 6, with additional early in-person voting sites opening May 17.

Technorati Tags:Elizabeth Whitefield, Albuquerque, New Mexico, primaries, Democrats

Last Chance to Register to Vote for June 3rd Primary; Early Voting Begins

If you're not registered to vote in New Mexico, you have until 5:00 PM on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 to register if you want to vote in the June 3rd primary. You  must also be registered as a Democrat to vote in the Democratic primary. There have been some problems in the past with people thinking they were registered as Democrats only to find that they registered as Independents or undeclared as to political party.

You can see if you're registered by using the Voter View tool provided by the NM Secretary of State, but it doesn't tell you if you're registered under a political party or not. You have to contact your county clerk to check party affiliation on the your registration (or check the voter card that was sent to you). In Bernalillo County, call 468.1291. If you live in another county, get your County Clerk contact info here.

You can register to vote in person at your County Clerk's office. In Bernalillo County, that's at One Civic Plaza, NW in Albuquerque, 6th Floor.

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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.

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Breaking: NM Dem Party Chair Brian Colón Endorses Obama!

The superdelegate momentum for Obama keeps building. Thank you Brian! I completely agree with your reasons. Now there are only two superdelegates who remain undecided -- Rep. Tom Udall and add-on delegate Laurie Weahkee (see below the fold).

Here's the release from the Democratic Party of New Mexico:

Albuquerque, NM - Today, New Mexico State Party Chair and superdelegate Brian S. Colón endorsed Senator Barack Obama, citing Obama's ability to bring new voters into the process as well as the positive campaign Obama has run.

State Party Chair Brian Colón said, "Barack Obama has proven to inspire a movement that has brought a record number of people into the process. He's proven to be a candidate who can compete and will fight hard to expand the Democratic Party's reach and put Western states in play in the general election. His message of change is resonating across all ages, races and economic backgrounds in New Mexico.

"As I talk to Democrats all over New Mexico they are increasingly concerned with the negative tone that the campaign has taken. I believe that Senator Obama has presented a positive message of change while continuing to focus on our real opponent; a John McCain presidency and another four year term of failed Bush policies.

"Barack Obama has run a different kind of campaign - one that goes beyond the things that divide us and is driven by a commitment to real change that starts at the grassroots level. Here in New Mexico, where we had a very close election on February 5th, the excitement I saw throughout the state is good for our Party and good for our State. While there are two very talented candidates in this race, I am proud to make this announcement today because I want to see Barack Obama's positive movement for change continue to transform the Democratic Party and this country."

The endorsement brings the total number of superdelegates to endorse Barack Obama to 254. Senator Obama is 278 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination. 

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Defenders Action Fund Launches Canvass Operation to Elect Tom Udall

Two sides of the same bad coin

Don't just sit there hoping good candidates will win. Do something about it. Like joining the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund canvassing efforts here in New Mexico:

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund launched its canvass operation on May 1st in Albuquerque as part of its comprehensive campaign to help elect Tom Udall to the U.S. Senate. The campaign started with 15 canvassers going out daily to talk to swing voters about Reps. Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce’s out-of-touch values and record of misplaced priorities, and to persuade these voters to support Rep. Tom Udall for the U.S. Senate, who has been a true champion for ordinary New Mexican families.

The canvass operation will swell up in size during the general election, and the campaign estimates that its combined staff and volunteer canvass efforts will result in a quarter million doors knocked on by the election in November.

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