Democracy for New Mexico

And the Winners Are: First Series of 2008 DFA-DFNM Endorsements

The voting ended late last week and the votes are counted. Members of the Albuquerque DFA-Democracy for New Mexico Meetup group were polled on the candidates they wanted the group to officially endorse in a number of this year's Dem primary races. They included the NM-01 race for U.S. House, three State Senate races and one State House contest. Here are the results and responses from some of the winners:

U.S. House NM-01
81.6% - Martin Heinrich: Winner
13.1 % - Michelle Lujan Grisham
05.3 % - Robert Pidcock
00.0% - Rebecca Vigil-Giron

"Our campaign for change is powered by volunteers who are committed to creating good paying jobs, turning our economy around and bringing the disastrous war in Iraq to an end," said Martin Heinrich. "I'm pleased that DFA-DFNM, a volunteer, grassroots organization committed to changing Washington has joined our large and diverse coalition of supporters that include 15 labor unions, two pueblos, the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club and over 2000 individual contributors."

State House District 13
88.8% - Eleanor Chávez: Winner
11.1% - Dan Silva (incumbent)

"I'm very pleased to receive the endorsement of DFA-Democracy for New Mexico," said Chávez. "Thank you to all the members of DFA-DFNM for the vote of confidence. Together, we will bring the greatly needed change to the Round House, Capitol Hill and the White House. I'm honored to add the group's endorsement to the growing list that support "Proven Leadership for Progressive Change," that include Conservation Voters New Mexico, NM Federation of Labor and United Food and Commercial Workers Union."

State Senate District 14
100.0% - Eric Griego: Winner
000.0% - James C. Taylor (incumbent)

"Thank you, members of DFA-Democracy for New Mexico, for your endorsement and vote of support!  DFNM is a great example of grassroots democracy in action," said Eric Griego. "I look forward to working with DFNM and other groups to bring real reform to NM politics."

State Senate District 15
78.3% - John Blair: Winner
21.7% - Tim Eichenberg

State Senate District 17
100.0% - Tim Keller: Winner
000.0% - Shannon Robinson (incumbent)

"I am honored to be endorsed by DFA-Democracy for New Mexico, a group that proudly stands up for progressive Democratic values. You can count on me to be a champion on the issues that affect our families—healthcare, improved education and job creation," said Tim Keller

Continue reading "And the Winners Are: First Series of 2008 DFA-DFNM Endorsements"

(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."
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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!

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

AFSCME Endorses Toulouse Oliver for Bernalillo County Clerk

Maggie Toulouse Oliver, our current Bernalillo County Clerk, is running to retain her post and is seeking our support. She has a primary challenger and, if she wins the nomination, will face a Republican candidate this Fall. By all accounts Toulouse Oliver and her staff have done an excellent job in improving operations in the Clerk's Office, stressing transparency, professionalism, outreach and training. They've been working hard to upgrade and modernize the work of the Clerk's Office, including how voting and elections under their purview are conducted, and have sought out public comment at every stage of the process.

D'Val Westphal had an excellent piece in the Albuquerque Journal this Sunday about the proactive efforts undertaken by Toulouse Oliver in seeking to make improvements in terms of, in Maggie's words, "Better training for poll workers, better ways of informing the public, better ways to handle and tally ballots, better ways to tighten up ballot security."

Recently, Toulouse Oliver got an important endorsement from AFSCME. Here's the statement released by her campaign:

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Bitter? Why Would Anybody Be Bitter?

Obama answers Hillary and McSame in Terre Haute IN

Have you been following the latest spin barrage being aimed at Obama by Team Clinton: The Dynasty, almost hand in hand with the GOP's assault? Oh, it was just so condescending of Barack to mention at a small fundraiser how folks in small town, Rust Belt and middle-class America might be feeling bitter about their lot in life. So bitter and cynical that they no longer believe the promises of politicos to bring them good-paying jobs, access to quality health care or level playing field justice.

So trampled in body and spirit that they turn insular and cling to their guns, religion, ethinicity or family -- or whatever else helps them feel more secure. And that this can make them vulnerable to the craven use of wedge issues by the right. And that they often end up voting against their own economic interests. Sound familiar? That analysis has been conventional wisdom for years but, to the Clintonista camp and its backers, the concept is suddenly scandalous and insulting. My, my.

What I like about Obama is that he -- unlike so many Dems -- doesn't run from gotcha spin that distorts what he says and what he believes in. Instead, he goes at the issue head on, confidently and clearly explaining how his words are being twisted, and why. Listen to what he says in the video above, to a crowd in Terre Haute, Indiana. Watch how they stand and cheer at the end. I call that connection. He doesn't cower. He clicks in. This is why he can win in November, with an electorate sick to death of the slick spinelessness that characterizes so many insider pols of all stripes.

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ABQ Voter Registration This Weekend at San Pedro Library

From Michelle Meaders, Ward 19A:
Our Democratic Ward 19A is doing a Voter Registration Drive on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, at the San Pedro Library, at San Pedro and Trumbull SE. The hours of the drive are 10 AM to 4 PM both days. We will register and re-register anyone eligible, of course, but will be encouraging people to declare a major party so they can vote in the New Mexico Primary on June 3. The registration cutoff date for this Primary is Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

In this election, we will be voting for candidates for Congress, the Legislature, County offices, and Judges. (The Democratic Presidential candidates will not be on the ballot, since they were voted on at the Democratic Caucus in February. The Republican Presidential candidate's names will be there, but they already have a nominee.)

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NM-01: UNM Environmental Groups Host Heinrich Event

Join the UNM Wilderness Alliance and the Environmental Law Society for an afternoon with Martin Heinrich, candidate for Congress:

Wednesday, April 16, 12:00-1:00 PM
SUB, Upper Level, Lobo Room
** snacks and coffee provided **
Click for Flyer - Pass It On

In the first congressional district race, Martin Heinrich is the clear choice for green voters. He has been endorsed by Conservation Voters New Mexico, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Sierra Club. Some of his accomplishments include:

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Tonight on KNME's New Mexico In Focus

Regular panelists Margaret Montoya and Jim Scarantino
wait to head into the studio.

I have my second go-around as a guest panelist on tonight's New Mexico In Focus. Once again it was a stimulating, fun and rather nerve-wracking experience. Tune in if you get a chance and let me know how I did. I'm really still a newbie at this kind of thing, so go easy on me. Please. Thankfully the show's regulars and crew are good at making the new face at the table feel right at home.

On KNME's ‘In Focus tonight, the main topic is the 66th anniversary of the Bataan Death March. Host David Alire Garcia sits down with several Death March survivors. Hear their stories, and get perspective on their efforts from some of the state's top military leaders. The program airs Friday, April 11 at 7 PM and repeats Sunday, April 13 at 6:30 AM.

This week’s guests on the weekly news magazine are Ed Baca, former adjutant general of the New Mexico National Guard; John M. Garcia, secretary of Veterans Affairs; and Bataan veterans Ernesto Montoya, Charles Naslund, William Overmier, Tony Reyna and Don Schloat.

In The Line segment of the show, topics include General Patraeus and the American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, a look at the New Mexico Congressional races and the spaceport. Barbara Wold, blogger for Democracy for New Mexico, will be a featured panelist, joining host Gene Grant, Albuquerque Journal columnist, and regular panelists Margaret Montoya, UNM School of Law / UNM School of Medicine; Scott Darnell, communication director, Republican Party of New Mexico, and Jim Scarantino, Weekly Alibi columnist.

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Cillizza Rates NM-01 Race #9 in Competitive Ranking

Washington Post blogger Chris Cillizza of The Fix regularly rates U.S. House races for competitiveness, and the contest in New Mexico's First Congressional District is consistently in his top ten. Today Cilizza had this to say:

9. New Mexico's 1st (OPEN, GOP-held): Democrats are headed to a competitive June primary in this Albuquerque-area district that Rep. Heather Wilson (R) is vacating to run for the Senate. Former Albuquerque City Councilman Martin Heinrich won the top spot on the primary ballot by taking 56 percent of the delegate votes cast at the state's pre-primary convention last month. Heinrich even managed to get a positive review from Stu Rothenberg -- the toughest grader in the business. Awaiting the eventual Democratic nominee is Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, one of a handful of Republican recruitment successes this cycle.

Fame
By the way, the Heinrich campaign is recruiting supporters to appear in their new TV ad and direct mail campaign, which will feature photo and video shoots all day on Saturday, April 20 at a number of parks across Albuquerque:

Continue reading "Cillizza Rates NM-01 Race #9 in Competitive Ranking"

NM-Sen: Udall Raises $1.3 Million in First Quarter

Gotta love this news. Rep. Tom Udall's campaign is set to report outstanding fundraising numbers for the first quarter of 2008 to the FEC. In an email to supporters today, the Udall for U.S. Senate campaign had this to say:

Thanks to your overwhelmingly generous support, we're going to be reporting to the Federal Election Commission that we have raised $1.3 million in the first quarter of this year.

Yes, you read that right. Even Tom did a double-take when I told him last night.

Together, we raised $1.3 million in just three months. Your gifts mean that we now have a great start on the resources we'll need to tell all of New Mexico about Tom's record of fighting for New Mexico as a prosecutor, Attorney General and Congressman. And because of your help, we'll be able to share with people Tom's plans for going to the Senate, fighting for the middle class, and ending the financial squeeze that too many New Mexicans are feeling across the state.

This race is far from over and we still have a lot to do. It is going to get very, very tough in the coming weeks and months, but I just wanted to make sure that you heard the news from us first, since you made it all possible.

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Saturday: Judge Clyde DeMersseman Campaign Fundraiser

From Judge DeMersseman's campaign: Tickets have been generously donated to Judge DeMersseman's campaign for the Albuquerque Thunderbirds v. Colorado 14ers this Saturday night (April 12th) at 7:00 PM at Tingley Coliseum.  All proceeds from the tickets will go to Judge DeMersseman's campaign.  The tickets are $50.00 each and include free appetizers and soft drinks one hour prior to tip off.  To purchase tickets you can contact Rebecca Branch 263-4579 or Paul Melendres at 243-8310. Tickets are limited.