They aren't going public, but there are some unhappy campers over the recent appointment by Big Bill of Isleta Pueblo Governor Alvino Lucero to the State Fair Commission. Why? Because Lucero heads up one of NM's big gambling tribes and now will have a say in how their competition, the Downs At Albuquerque, goes about its business. Those making the rumblings claim Lucero might be biased against the track to protect his own casino. But his supporters say Lucero will actually look more favorably on the Downs and its casino because he knows what it takes to keep an operation profitable. The Fair Commission will only have indirect say on most matters at the Downs.

But the commissioners will have a direct say on the lucrative liquor concession at the Fair, and as we reported here, (see Dec. 16th on this page) the resignation of State Fair Chair Carol Cloer, who Lucero replaces, raised questions about that matter. Garduno's of restaurant fame has the deal, but well-connected Fresquez Concessions wants it back. And now, the commission, minus Cloer, has decided to put the deal out to bid paving the way for a possible change. Sources say Chair Cloer was not keen on the Fresquez play, thus she bid adieu. We'll let you know when the concession deal is sealed.

GODBEY AND MICKEY AND MARIO IN THE MIDDLE

BURGOS
"Where has Ron Godbey been?" That's what his primary opponent, Mario Burgos, is asking after our report yesterday confirming Godbey would seek reelection to a fourth two year term to his East Mountain House seat. Rep. Godbey fired a shot at the 34 year old newcomer saying he "is one of Mickey's Boys." Mickey being Mickey Barnett, ringleader of the Dendahl wing of the state GOP and at war with current Chair Ramsay Gorham. Burgos called me to say he told Godbey over a year ago that he was considering running, and it was not Mickey who put him in the race. "Ron ought to get used to having opponents," jibed the up and comer who heads the non-profit Junior Achievement program in the state. In fact, Burgos said he thinks the state Republican war needs to end now, and that he supports Ramsay. But, he adds, "if Mickey, or anyone else in the GOP, wants to donate to my campaign that's fine."

A New York native, Burgos is a newcomer to New Mexico, (welcome to the wars, Mario) but his wife, Roxanne C de Baca, is a native New Mexican. The two rivals will be able to keep a close eye on each other. The Burgos' are raising their family right down the street in Cedar Crest from Godbey.


92 YEARS OF LA POLITICA

Thanks to reading Heather Wilson's newsletter (I know, get a life) I was reminded that this week New Mexico celebrated statehood day. On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state.So if you did not have a reason to celebrate this weekend, get to it. What other place has this much political intrigue? Ok, maybe Louisiana. But who likes crawfish?

Viva, New Mexico!

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REP.GODBEY
"It's Mickey (Barnett) and the boys." That's how State Rep. Ron Godbey put it to me upon confirming that he has drawn an opponent in the June Republican primary. Mario Burgos, who is with the Junior Achievement program, will challenge the three term Rep., who has tangled with the Dendahlites over their support of drug liberalization laws. "They came after me two years ago and I whomped them, but they are persistent and are back again," said the retired Air Force Colonel.

Godbey, who is also a a lawyer and a certified meteorologist--how do you like that combo?---says Barnett has "had control" of several votes in the state house, but lost most and doesn't want to lose any more. As usual, Mickey is quiet, at least to us, and is going about his uphill job of trying to win back control of the party that voted Dendahl out.

Godbey is the odds-on favorite to win re-election to his East Mountain district. But the rift shows that the forces of former GOP Chair Dendahl, led now by attorney and hardball thrower Mickey Barnett, are determined to stay on the scene. Current GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham does not command the authority to heal the intraparty rift. Insiders tell me only a clean sweep of the state by President Bush and the GOP in November will get her archrivals off of her back. She still has to pull together a deal to ensure she and the state party get a role in the Bush re-elect campaign. That's a lot on her plate, and as I have reported, she does not plan to seek re-election to the state senate because of it.

MICKEY, HE'S NO MOUSE

JUSTINE YOUNG
Speaking of Mickey and company, Justine Young, 24, daughter of NM Lobbyist Charlie Young, and an employee of Dendahlite ringleader Barnett, is making it official. She has sent word to politicos that she will be challenging fellow Republican State Rep. Bob White for his ABQ NE Heights seat. We first reported Justine's challenge November 18. (see our November archives) White is a GOP moderate and a supporter of Ramsay. White says the move to place young Ms. Young in the Legislature is not putting much fear in his heart. He told me he will spend 'whatever it takes" to keep his seat. He owns a print shop (The Print Stop) and will paper the district. Still, he will have to work to keep the seat he took just two years ago if Young comes up with campaign cash.

UNHAPPY HOURS FOR BIG BOOZE?

Yesterday I reported that it did not appear that the Guv would reintroduce the increase in booze taxes that he lost in the special session. Now I am being told to hold my horses. So I will. Whoa, boys. The situation is fluid (get it?) with top guns in Santa Fe telling me there is indeed a chance the liquor tax could again be introduced. Of course, if it is, it will draw the usual big-bucks lobbying effort in opposition. Just what will be on the Guv's call is subject to last minute change, as is just about everything the Big Guy does.

As for his DWI reform package, even the GOP guys are telling me that that is a "no-brainer" and will win solid support. Tougher times, however, lie ahead for Bill's Medicaid package and his move to take more of the legislators 'pork" projects under his wing and out of their purview.

MAX MAKES BILL MAD

Max Coll, the outspoken chair of the House Appropriations committee, and a foe of Big Bill's who is not afraid to stand up to him, may find himself standing up to a Democratic primary opponent. At least that's the scuttlebutt in the City Different, where Bill backers may be looking for someone to play the same thorn-in-the-side to Max that Max is to the Guv. Coll's seat is safe Dem, so only a primary challenge could take him out and it would not be easy. No word yet though on any opponent surfacing to muzzle Max and all his moxie.

ABQ'S TOP VOTE-COUNTER SEEKS VOTES
Bernalillo County Clerk Mary Herrera has had her share of problems getting the votes counted the last three years, but it has been a huge improvement over past election nightmares. She will take that case to the people this year and will announce her re-election plans today in ABQ at the Downtown La Posada. I am always glad when the clerk is seeking election; you know they don't want to wait around to see if they have won or lost. As for Mary, she's in good shape for her re-elect, after fending off a move last Fall to do away with her elected position in an unsuccessful city-county unification drive last Fall.


BIG BILL UNPLUGGED

Finally, here is one of the best summations of Governor Bill's first year in office that I have read. It was forwarded to me by a government news junkie. written by Alan Greenblatt of Governing Affairs, a subsidiary of Congressional Quarterly, there is some eyebrow raising comments on his relations with the legislature. Must reading for you guys in the Guv's office and lobbyists and lawmakers at the Legislature. Governor Magazine

Please send me your articles, emails, story ideas, criticism and anything political to my email. There's a link at the top right of the page. And thanks for spreading the word on this web site. The response has been overwhelming. Let me know of any groups you are with that are interested in advertising on the site. We need your continued support to keep it all going.

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Does Howard Dean have a lock on New Mexico? And, who, if anyone, is hot on his trail? We will soon have a good handle on those questions as word on the street is that the Albuquerque Journal will conduct two statewide polls prior to our state's first ever presidential caucuses February 3. Just when the polling will be done is a closely guarded secret to prevent the contenders from flooding the airwaves with TV spots to influence the polling while it is underway. Veteran pollster Brian Sanderoff of Research and Polling will again be at the polling helm for the Journal.

I would like to see three polls on this one. Hopefully, Brian will do one of his two before the January 19 Iowa caucuses so we can see how victory there impacts the candidates here. The January 27 New Hampshire primary will also establish momentum for some of the candidates. Right now, the smart money in New Mexico, like everywhere else, is on Governor Dean. He has the biggest organization here, has done the most mailing and media and has demonstrated strong appeal in the liberal wing of the party. If that liberal wing holds solid the other seven NM contenders could be left splitting the remainder of the pot.

SO FAR, I SCORE IT FOR DEAN

From this corner, it seems one of the challengers is going to have to make an appeal for that liberal base, or else Dean will win here. In the national polls, Gen. Wes Clark is second behind Dean, but he is not contending in Iowa, so he will need a pop in New Hampshire as he comes into New Mexico and six other states that are holding a primary or caucus the same day.

The NM polling will present special challenges because as few as 35,000 out of a half-million registered Dems could cast ballots. Sanderoff will have to be extra careful screening the interviews. That was a problem in the low-turnout special constitutional amendment election in September. Also, most of the votes will be cast by absentee ballot, so if Dean can bank a bunch of those prior to any disappointment in Iowa and/or New Hampshire, he still might have enough votes in the bank to pull through. Keep your eye here for those polls and, more importantly, analysis for what they mean.

THE MIGHTY MALOOF'S, THE MIGHT DUCKS, AND BIG BILL

I received a phone call from Los Angeles Times reporter David Davis Tuesday who told me he's penning an in-depth article for the Times' Sunday Magazine on the famous Maloof's of New Mexico, now mostly of Nevada. Davis was inquiring about the billionaire family's political ties in NM as they prepare to diversify their business empire into L.A. Davis said in addition to being one of the finalists to purchase the National Hockey League's Anaheim Mighty Ducks, the Maloof's also plan a move into the music business in the entertainment capital of the world.

Here's how a report in the Sacramento Bee put it: "Ownership of the NHL franchise would provide the family with a significant asset in a major market, further diversifying their financial empire while creating a golden triangle of sports and entertainment properties with the Kings in Northern California, the Ducks in Southern California and the Palms in southern Nevada. 'We're still looking at it," said Joe Maloof. 'That's about all I can say.'"

The Maloof's remaining business tie to NM is the Coors distributorship and Quality liquors. Their employees were part of an effective lobbying effort during the recent special legislative session that killed Governor Bill's proposed booze tax increase. Davis pointed out that the Maloof's contributed to Big Bill's campaign, but on this issue they were on opposite sides. (My legislative experts say the Guv apparently will not try for the liquor tax increase again in the upcoming session). Phil Maloof lost his race for Congress here in 98'. He' now in the business with brothers Joe, George and Gavin and family matriarch Colleen. The family supports prez contender Dick Gephardt.

Reporter Davis, whose sister is ABQ attorney Jennifer Davis-Hall, says the New York Times is also working on a piece about the Maloof's, who have a business winning streak going that any of their sports teams would envy.

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The public and press may believe there's only one player on the state political stage, but don't tell it to Attorney General Patsy Madrid. She's hosting a coming out party in 2004 and she's the honored guest. The diminutive and feisty Madrid has fired several shots across the bow of Big Bill and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, but her recent attack of Bill's cherished presidential caucuses is the one you hear echoing loudly. Madrid said the caucuses are a waste of time because they will attract few voters.

Friends of Madrid tell me she is stepping on the gas as the first year of Bill's term ends and her own ambitions for the Guv's office crystallize. "She's determined to prevent a line of succession for that office that leads directly to Diane. She's distinguishing herself now by being one of the very few Democrats to publicly disagree with Bill. A lot of them would like to, but she's the only one who has done it."

For sure, Dem dissenters seem to cower in fear of the Big Fella. But Patsy is independently elected so she can afford to fire. Still, her public opposition is notable. If for any reason Bill were to depart office, Denish would be next in line. Another supporter put it this way: "She wants the state to know she is no believer in a hand-me-down governorship. It may sound farfetched, but I think Patsy might even consider challenging Bill for re-election. She wants it that bad." Really?!

Despite her opposition to the caucus format, The AG hits the road for a two day tour for Prez contender Edwards this week; a tour that will remind New Mexicans she is not to be forgotten.

MANNY AND RICHARD: BEDBUGS OR BEDFELLOWS?

Two pro-tems of the state senate, Manny Aragon (past)and Richard Romero (present) are on the same team again, probably for the first time since they shot hoops together at St. Mary's High in Downtown ABQ. (Richard says Manny hogged the ball). Now they have joined with politico Dan Serrano to host a fundraiser for presidential contender Dick Gephardt Sunday at the Old Town Sheraton featuring Congressman Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island (son of Senator Teddy). I asked a Valley insider if this meant Manny was supporting Richard's run for Congress. I received a flat "no" in response. Romero attacked Aragon in his first run for Congress in 02.' Seems they can forgive enough to get together for Gephardt, but not forget enough for Manny to endorse Richard. Valley alligators say Majority Leader Manny is supporting former DEA agent Eli Chavez for the Dem nomination to take on Heather in the Fall. As for Gephardt, the Missouri Congressman is getting good Valley support and also has the prominent Maloof family in his corner who maintain ties to ABQ while attending to business in Nevada.


ROD ADAIR: UNLEASHED AND UNCENSORED

If opponents of Roswell State Senator Adair were trying to chase him out of the senate the plan flopped. The GOP's Light Guv nominee in 02', responding to our report yesterday that the rumor mill had him on the fence, emailed me the following: "I am gathering signatures to run for re-election. I have never had any plans to hand off this seat. I have every intention of running again."

Adair took issue with me for publishing the rumor asking: "What was the point?" He also said I was a liberal, a member of the NM political establishment and engaged in a conspiracy with "Inside the Capitol" columnist Jay Miller. He also wrote that "you have no grounds for virtually anything you ever say." I guess I won't be using Rod in my promotional brochures. But we thank him for the chuckle and wish him well all the same as he fights the GOP brushfires that continue to burn as the party sorts out its internal power struggle. Rod is a noted Dendahlite and foe of current GOP Chair Gorham.

PREZ UPDATE

I haven't told Shea at the Trib yet, but he is 'partnering' with me to cover the February 3 caucuses. Here's the latest: Shea Andersen

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The nightmare scenario for the Democrats in the ABQ congressional district is back. The Green Party's Jeremy Brown tells "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" he will be a candidate in the race and won't be a token contender. Brown is a sociology instructor at TV-I and, in something new for the Greens, he's a candidate with military ties. Brown is a retired Army veteran who served in the Special Forces in Panama for four years and 15 years in the Army reserves.

Brown, who lives in the East mountains and ran for the Bernalillo County Commission in 98', tells me his big issue in the 04' race is "corporate power." He says incumbent Rep. Wilson is "completely controlled" by corporate interests and his three Democratic opponents "are not much better." State Sen. Richard Romero, running for a second time against Heather after getting pasted in 02', phoned Brown in an unsuccessful effort to keep him out of the race. The Dems say the Greens siphon crucial votes away from them and make a GOP victory easier. But Brown says Romero's pleadings were hopeless because the Greens are determined to provide an alternative to the two major parties which they see as identical twins.

GREEN: IT MAKES DEMS SEE RED

The Greens sat out the 2002 Wilson-Romero battle. In 2000 Dr. Daniel Kerlinsky ran and was viciously attacked by Democratic contender John Kelly. Still, Kerlinsky garnered 6 percent of the vote. In 98', when the seat became vacant upon the death of Rep. Steve Schiff, Green Bob Anderson scored an astonishing 14 percent, in part because of intense negative campaigning between Wilson and Democrat Phil Maloof.

But this time it's Romero who has the most to lose. He's already battling two other Dems for the nomination. Coming out of the primary, which he is expected to win, Romero will now have to fight off the Greens who appeal to environmentalists and those tired of the huge money interests that dominate the political landscape. The Greens are designated a major party because their governor candidate, David Bacon, won 5 per cent of the vote in his 02' race. Like the D's and R's, the Green's will have a pre-primary convention as well as a June primary to nominate Brown and other candidates.

Look for Brown to perform decently, especially when we get another round of multi-million dollar negative media ads. Brown will take most of his vote from disgruntled Dems, but Wilson could also see her totals impacted. She has yet to make the district hers, winning votes but not deep support, which keeps the Dems on her trail. But with the addition of Green Jeremy Brown that trail just got a lot colder.

DARE HE QUIT?

SEN. ADAIR
Rumors are busily floating in high-level Republican political circles that hard-right State Senator Rod Adair of Roswell may not seek re-election this year, and that his friend, State Rep. Dan Foley, another Roswell Republican, could move to replace Rod, leaving his House seat open. Adair has said nothing publicly to refute the widespread rumors. He is one of the toughest opponents the Democrats have in the Legislature with a mind that even one of his critics says is 'fully engaged at all times." However, Adair is a supporter of former State GOP Chair John Dendahl whose followers remain locked in a power struggle with new GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham. Adair's departure from the Senate would relieve her of some serious heartburn. Adair is a demographic expert who was awarded lucrative contracts under Dendahl, but not so under Ramsay. Adair's statewide fame came when he engaged in fisticuffs with then House Speaker Raymond Sanchez that were captured on a video camera in a Roundhouse hallway.

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