Romero & Wilson
The new political year in New Mexico began with old faces seeking to keep their fortunes alive, no matter the ravages Father Time has inflicted on them. Democrat Richard Romero, a two time congressional loser and Heather Wilson, who gambled for the Senate and gave up the ABQ US House seat Romero tried to take away from her, have both made moves to keep their hopes alive in 2009. Romero, a former ABQ state senator, who became Senate Pro Tem for a time by making a deal with the Republicans, made official his long-planned move to run for mayor of Albuquerque. He held a New Year's Day fund-raiser featuring the city's liberal elite, including Eric Griego who ran and lost for mayor in '05 and was elected to the state senate in '08. Republican Wilson, clinging to the drapes as she prepares to vacate her House seat this week, floated the idea of a 2010 gubernatorial bid.

Romero is one of three serious contenders so far for the mayor's post--incumbent Marty Chavez and City Councilor Michael Cadigan--both Democrats--are the other two. (Where's a big name Republican?) The new public financing law has some tough hurdles and that could keep the field to only three or four candidates. Chavez will be seeking his third term in a row and his fourth overall. If the field stays small, he will try to put the win away by getting 40% of the vote in the first round and avoid a run-off election.

Heather's hurdles are formidable. She told KOB-TV's Stuart Dyson that she is a proven fundraiser, having raised millions for her congressional campaigns, but she didn't mention that that was national money that won't be available for a governor run. And if she does pull the trigger, we told Dyson, she will likely face a contentious GOP primary. She lost the US Senate GOP primary to Rep. Steve Pearce. Don't expect any deference to her from other GOP hopefuls if she goes for guv. But if she can land a big high-paying D.C. consulting job, she probably won't be asking for any.

The fate of Romero, Wilson and other would-be challengers will be largely determined by how soon-to-be Guv Diane Denish (assuming Big Bill's Commerce Secretary nomination does not falter) and Mayor Chavez conduct themselves in the coming months.

There were all kinds of historical tidbits in New Mexico politics in 2008. Here's another one. For the first time anyone can recall the chiefs of staff for the state's three US House members are all Hispanic, yet another confirmation of our "majority-minority" status in which Hispanics and other ethnic groups make up most of the population and Anglos are in the minority. One of our D.C. Alligators gives us a take on the three key staffers for Congressmen Heinrich, Lujan and Teague:

These are powerful positions that drive policy, staffing and politics in the office. All three staff chiefs are under forty, and all have extensive Washington experience. Steve Haro, with Martin Heinrich, worked his way up to legislative director in Rep. Becerra's office. Steve is a quick study. He is a team player who should work well with the other chiefs of staff...

Adrian Saenz is an excellent choice for (southern Dem) Congressman-elect Harry Teague. Saenz served as chief of staff for Representative Ciro Rodriguez who has a "Will Rogers" style similar to that of Teague. Adrian knows the politics of the state as he helped deliver a victory for Obama as his NM state director. With outgoing GOP US Rep. Pearce mulling a run against Teague in 2010, Adrian will be earning his money in DC and back in the district.

Finally, Congressman-elect Lujan's pick of Angela Ramirez is significant as it establishes Lujan as an immediate power player in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus where she served as executive director. Most importantly, all three chiefs of staff are friends; they have all risen and worked on Capitol Hill together in an environment where Hispanics are under represented in senior positions.

The staff chiefs to be ought to enjoy the good press while it lasts. It could take a turn when they start making decisions.

HEATHER'S GOODBYE

In the final edition of her e-mailed newsletter ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson sums up the main legislative accomplishments of her 10 year US House career this way:

All legislation is a collective effort, but I look back with some satisfaction on the resolution of the Sandia Land Claim, the Ojito Wilderness Act, and the Baca Ranch bill.

E-mail your news and comments, anonymously if you wish.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2008
Not for reproduction without permission of the author

We pointed out recently that it will be Diane Denish who will likely have the veto power over major legislation coming out of the next legislative session. The Light Guv is set to succeed Big Bill if he is confirmed as US Commerce Secretary by the Senate. However, one of the Roundhouse wall-leaners points out Bill could have a big say on key issues of the 60 day session--depending on the timing

Any assumption that the veto authority is exercised only at the end of the session could lead to misimpressions. Expect a different scenario for this coming session, and the spending bills to move early so the Governor can act on them.

Under the Constitution, legislation passed in all but the final three days must be acted upon by the Governor, who must sign or veto the legislation within three days. Otherwise, the legislation becomes law with or without the Governor’s action. For legislation passed in the final three days, the Governor has 20 days to act including any vetoes. This distinction is an important part of the inside game, and explains a great deal of the ill will between the two chambers.

Well said. House Speaker Lujan has indicated he wants to get a measure addressing the state's $453 million budget shortfall (perhaps more) before the Governor in the first days of the session--while Big Bill is still likely to be Governor. Of course, let's see how fast the Senate acts. Speaker Lujan is a key ally of the Guv. He might have more certainty over this critical measure with Bill wielding the signing pen and not Diane.