With less than a month to go, political pros in the highest reaches of the state GOP are saying the challenge by ex-state Rep George Buffett to Republican National Committeeman Mickey Barnett is looking more and more like a very long shot. A high-ranking Buffet supporter told me George still has his vote, but he is pessimistic that Barnett can be ousted.

"George is going to have to work it a lot harder. He has sent out a letter, but he hasn't shown us much else. Mickey's forces are well-organized and they know how to count votes. To beat an incumbent in any race takes a special effort, and right now we are seeing that effort from Barnett, but not Buffet."

Lawyer-lobbyist Barnett hs been at the center of the GOP battles, going as far as to field candidates in the primary election against other Republicans who don't see things his way. His positions in favor of drug legalization and Indian gambling, targeted by Buffett, have also caused him grief, but apparently not yet the votes he needs when the GOP State Central Committee meets June 12 to decide the committeeman contest.

One boast the Buffett brigade brings down is Barnett's claim that he has helped raised millions of out-of-town dollars for the state party. "That money would have come into the state regardless of Mickey," said our insider. Maybe so. But its the votes that Barnett is set to bring in that has to concern the Buffett backers.

OUR MAY-DECEMBER MATCH-UP; JUSTINE & BOB

Meanwhile, Mickey's legal secretary, 25 year old Justine-Fox Young, has reportedly raised $32,000 so far in her bid to unseat fellow Republican, State Rep. Bob White, for a GOP House seat in ABQ's NE heights. I reported a few weeks ago how Justine had a fundraising party featuring both Dems and R's, but it turns out her biggest contribution, according to those who have seen her report, is from herself in the form of a $15,000 loan. Justine's father is longtime lobbyist Charlie Young.

As for the sixty-something White, he has reportedly only raised about $7,000, but he owns a print shop, so he can unleash his printing presses on the district and is. Insiders still believe an older electorate will determine the winner in the battle and that favors White. But young Justine Young has certainly raised enough cash to replace the shoe leather she is wearing out knocking on doors.

Down in the ABQ Valley, Jerry Ortiz Y Pino, seeking the Dem nomination to replace State Senator Richard Romero who is running for Congress, tells me he has raised $25,000 so far. His primary opponent, Adele Hundley, has raised just $7,000, according to Jerry. Lawyer Reggie Garcia is also on the race, but Ortiz Y Pino is the heavy favorite as his fundraising prowess shows. The district is heavy Dem. Whoever wins the primary goes to the Roundhouse.

NO EXCUSES, BUT AN ALIBI

Our blog this week comes under the spotlight of the Alibi's "Thin Line column, with Tim McGivern offering his thoughts on our offerings. He tells me the alternative newspaper's circulation is now over 50,000 with a heavy readership in the UNM area. That makes it the second largest circulation paper in the state, with the caveat that it is a free paper. Check out the review and the rest of the paper at Alibi.com

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

HARRIET & RAY RUIZ
Friends of the well-liked State Rep. Ray Ruiz packed into the Rosary Catholic Church on ABQ's Westside Wednesday to say farewell to the friend of New Mexico working men and women. It was the biggest ABQ political funeral since Congressman Schiff's farewell in 98.' Ruiz died of lung cancer over the weekend at the age of 65. Here are the details on the funeral from friends of Ruiz on the scene.

"It seemed like the whole Roundhouse was there with as many as a couple dozen legislators joining hundreds of other mourners to pay their respects."

"House Speaker Lujan led the contingent. Coming up from Cruces was Joe Cervantes, Andy Nunez and Mary Helen Garcia. Ray's longtime buddies, (Rep's.) Saavedra and Dan Silva were there as were (Rep's.) Beam, Sandoval, Miera, Picraux, Martinez, Cordova, Hanosh and Tom Anderson from the Westside. Many labor union leaders from around NM also came."

"I think everyone was pleased to see so many Republicans on hand. Ray did not vote with them but he commanded their respect and their friendship. Senators Cararro and Cravens came. From the House, Teresa Zanetti, Larry Larranaga, Bob White and Janice Arnold-Jones."

Another Ruiz friend said Attorney General Patsy Madrid, ex- AG David Norvell and former Governor Dave Cargo also showed. Governor Bill also made a brief appearance and sat next to Ruiz's widow, Harriet. The Guv did not speak, nor were there any eulogies, other than the one delivered by the attending priest.

RUIZ' WIDOW READY FOR ROUNDHOUSE

As is tradition, talk turned to politics after the funeral. One attendee said one topic was the future of Harriet Ruiz, Ray's widow, who has announced she will seek to be appointed to fill her husbands term. That appointment would be made by the Bernalillo County Commission.

"It's a done deal," said our source. "There are no other candidates. Out of respect for Ray, they will make room for her. What happens two years down the road is a different story."

County Commissioner Alan Armijo, at the top of the ladder in ABQ Westside politics, will pave the way for Harriet, said the insider. The Democratic Party Central Committee is also expected to name Harriet as the candidate to replace her husband on the Fall ballot.

Her probable appointment had me thinking and asking about when the last time a widow of a legislator or other high elected official in our state had succeeded her dead husband. My veteran politicos said they could not think of any case in modern memory.

I remember in 1980 when Congressman Runnels died and his widow Dorothy asked to be appointed to fill his shoes, but the Democratic Party Central Committee rejected her. Runnels was replaced by Joe Skeen, who ran as a write-in candidate and who passed away in December.

Pro golfer Notah Begay was not seen at the Ruiz funeral by my reporters. But he surely is mourning the loss of Ruiz. Friends say Ray, an avid golfer, helped teach Notah the game, along with his own son, when the golf star lived near Ladera golf course. As Ruiz lay on his death bed, Notah was breaking out of a two year slump caused by a bad back and finished in the top ten at the Wachovia tournament. It was probably one of the last golf reports Ruiz ever heard and it had to bring him comfort as death came to stake its claim.

DEATH FELLS EX-REP AND GOP HEAVY BOYD SCOTT

Another passing of a major NM political figure occurred last week up in Farmington as Boyd Scott, the former mayor of that city and a nine year veteran of the State House (1974-85), died at the age of 92. Scott was a major player in NM Republican Party politics in his day. Working on GOP campaigns in the 70's and 80's, I recall how you went no where in San Juan County without Boyd Scott by your side. His blessing meant respect and votes.

Scott served as a mentor to Bill Fulginiti, executive director of the NM Municipal League, who told the Farmington Daily Times from Santa Fe: “That was invaluable. He was always good with municipal legislation. This is my 28th year here. I still think of Scottie. We’ll miss him. He was quite a guy.”

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

It's an event not to be missed by any ABQ South Valley politico worth his salt, or is it?

The alligators are out again and their tails are splashing around with the news that State Senator Manny Aragon was a no show at the recent weekend South Valley Pride Parade. Here's how one of the slithery creatures spells it out:

"Manny is always at the parade, but this year he was not. Just about anyone who is anyone in South Valley politics was there. It's another sign that he is getting ready to leave the senate and take on the presidency of Highlands University. Heck, he may even hang it up if he doesn't get the university job," allowed our friendly gator who is deeply tapped into the mysterious and arcane ways of Valley La Politica.

The Senate Majority leader and Valley powerhouse hs been the focus of intense attention throughout his career, but now the alligators have the microscopes out and are monitoring every move Manny makes, and this blog seems to be in their check-in desk. No wonder. The stakes don't get higher. If and when Aragon departs the senate, it will set off a series of power-plays and perhaps intra-party wars that will determine the path of many political careers, not to mention major legislation. Stay tuned here as I have been provided special access to the inner sanctum of the alligators by agreeing to renounce my previous Pennsylvania residency.


COOKED BOOKS AT STATE GOP?

State Republican Party Chair Allen Weh was pointing fingers last night at ousted former chair Ramsay Gorham as KOB-TV's Neil Simon hit with the news that the party may have to undergo an audit to find out just where party money has gone the past six months. The party finance report filed with the Secretary of State says over $45,000 was spent paying down debt. Trouble is there was no debt listed. Weh is blaming it on Ramsay and says it's a clerical and computer problem, but an audit is possible. Meanwhile, an amended report will be filed so the party stays out of trouble. When she left, Ramsay said the party was debt free. Whatever the case, it's Weh's problem now. With the election looming, the heat is on for the embattled GOP to get its act together.


BILL'S LONG NEW YORK MINUTE

I really don't know what to make of the very long piece that ran on Big Bill in the New York Times’ Sunday Magazine.(www,newyorktimes.com) Correspondent Jennifer Senior traveled a bunch with Bill and the piece seemed to be all over the map, kind of like the Big Guy himself. But Bill did reveal an early contact with John Kerry: "The governor also mentioned that Kerry had asked him to consider hiring his sister, Peggy Kerry, at the United Nations back when he was ambassador. ''It was totally proper,'' he told me. I didn't doubt it, but still, would Kerry really want Richardson volunteering this information?"

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

Congresswoman Heather Wilson's electoral success hung heavy over the one and only broadcast debate scheduled between Democrats Richard Romero and Miles Nelson. The two squared off for an hour last night on KUNM-FM radio. I called on veteran NM Republican Bruce Donisthorpe who has provided analysis on these pages to call this one since he is neutral and has extensive Capitol Hill experience, but mainly because he is such a political junkie that he was willing to hover around the radio on a beautiful Spring night. Here’s his blow-by-blow followed by my comments.

"Romero walks away unscathed. He is the obvious frontrunner and his job was not to get hurt and he didn't. But much of the debate centered on the 'electability' issue and that worked in Nelson's favor as it was pointed out that Romero lost by over ten points when he ran against Heather in 2000.

"Richard won the debate on political points, but Nelson scored with the liberal KUNM audience. Romero is the pragmatist, pointing out how he supports universal health care but how it is unlikely it will pass. He said he thought that issue cost the Democrats the U.S. House under Clinton. Nelson was the idealist saying it's the right thing to do regardless of the politics. That idealism is appealing and if this were to be a very low turnout race Nelson might have a chance to pull an upset. But I don’t think it will be low enough."

I asked Donisthorpe who he thought Heather would like to have as an opponent in the Fall.

"When you are in politics, you like predictability. Nelson is unknown and could go out there and say anything. He could get them going with populist rhetoric. With Richard, Wilson knows the lay of the land."

Thanks Bruce. As for me, I thought Nelson, nearly breathless at times, did a pretty good job for his first time out. He brought a level of passion that resonated. Romero was well-rehearsed. Referring to his coup ousting State Senator Majority Leader Manny Aragon, Romero said he "had guts and courage" and a “record of getting things done,” in contrast to newcomer Nelson. But Richard overstepped when he referred to himself as a "great politician."

For a campaign that has a slogan of "Goodbye Heather, Hello Miles,” Nelson did little to chink Wilson's armor. But the first half of the debate he scored several jabs, especially when Richard said he had the money to win this time. "If Phil Maloof, who had all the money he needed could not beat her, it's clear that money alone won’t do it. We need a fresh approach," jabbed Nelson. But Romero opened a cut as he reminded everyone that he is "homegrown," an obvious play to the many Hispanics who will help decide the congressional nomination June 1st.

ROMERO AND THE TUBE

Friends of Romero say he is not planning any heavy TV buy for the primary, opting to save that money for the General Election. That decision continues to draw questioning from some strategists who maintain Romero needs a months long TV presence to have any chance at all of unseating Wilson. But friends say Romero is concerned about having enough cash to make the race competitive in November.

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR IGNITIONS

That crazy bill that would have required every owner of a car in NM to install an ignition interlock device to prevent drunk driving continues to be grist for the campaign mill. Blog reader and the Tribune's Shea Andersen has our report

MEA CULPA

Some of my readers received a mistaken impression on how the state house seat of Ray Ruiz will be filled in light of his passing over the weekend. Since Ray represented only Bernalillo County, the county commission, controlled by the Dem's, could choose to name a replacement to fill out his term. Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Party Central Committee will be asked to name a replacement candidate for the Fall election.

It is possible, but unlikely, that the county commission could appoint a state representative to fill out Ray's term and the central committee could name a different person to be the candidate to replace Ruiz on the ballot. With the election so close, the commission may opt not to make an appointment and let the politicos of the central committee handle the task, with the input of Big Bill, of course.

No excuses for my error, which was corrected at midday. I was writing the story late Sunday night after 18 holes of golf and also had my head into the "Sopranos." Both are habits I do not plan on giving up. I just won't indulge them while trying to blog.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And remember to e-mail me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

After a very dark PR week for the Prez, his local re-elect team will try to generate some positive vibes by announcing today that former Democrat ABQ City Councilor Vickie Perea will switch parties and back Bush, according to GOP insiders.

Perea has many conservative stripes, so many D's may have already mistaken her for an R. She served on the council in the mid-90's and ran for mayor in 97, finishing back in the pack. She is noted for her mastery of fiscal matters and served many years in ABQ government before getting elected to the council. Will her endorsement and party switch have much impact? Not really, but after one of the worst PR weeks imaginable, Team Bush needs a diversion and Vickie Perea will apparently be it at a news conference scheduled for today.

The latest Prez poll here shows the race a dead heat. But the D's won it in 2000 and Kerry has an edge. The undecided vote is unusually low. That leaves Bush with the uphill task of peeling Hispanics away from Kerry to eke out the win, not easy in any year, and especially tough when the #1 Hispanic politico, Big Bill, is leading the Kerry charge.

FIRST LADY LAURA TO ABQ


And The Bushies are bringing in some heavy artillery this month in our battleground state. The First Lady, Laura Bush, will charge-up local bigwig Republicans who will pay a thousand bucks a pop and $5,000 a couple to meet and greet Laura at the Sheraton Old Town Inn in ABQ May 20.

That may sound like a lot of dough, but the price to chat up the First Lady only matches the $1000 a person recently charged for entrance to a reception of State. Rep. Al Park. Of course, Big Bill sponsored that greenback fiesta and he is one of the highest of the high-rollers. The money Laura raises here will go to the Republican National Committee, already awash in millions. But, as one wall-leaner put it: “ When it comes to money, apparently everyone wants one thing: more.”

DEATH CLAIMS "FRIEND OF THE WORKING MAN."

Friends, colleagues and constituents are mourning he loss of ABQ West side State Rep. Ray Ruiz. He had been sick for many months and they knew it was coming, but the loss of the well-liked Ruiz hit hard when it was announced to his friends over the weekend. "He had not served many terms (two) in Santa Fe, but he made friends fast and was one of the more likable political figures in the state,” noted veteran NM lobbyist Scott Scanland, a close friend of Ray and his family.

Ruiz, who died of lung cancer contracted while working with asbestos years ago, was a labor union leader and regarded at the Roundhouse as a great friend of the working man.

Ruiz's name will be on the June 1 primary ballot. He was running unopposed for the Dem nomination. The Bernallio County Commission can name a replacement for Ruiz, if it chooses. Meanwhile, The Dem State Central Committee will name a ballot replacement.

Goodbye to Ray Ruiz. He did good for our Land of Enchantment.

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And remember to e-mail me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author