Kevin Daniels
A potential 2010 ABQ congressional match-up is starting to brew. Kevin Daniels, owner of a chain of NM funeral homes, is seriously weighing a run for the GOP nomination for the US House seat held by first-termer and Democrat Martin Heinrich, according to my insiders.

Daniels, about 51, is on a very short list of possible Heinrich rivals. The other on the list is attorney Jon Barela, but he seems to be falling back.

The owner of Daniels Family Funeral Services has been in the funeral biz most of his career, but he does have some public service under his belt. He was a NM state police officer from 1978 to 1982 and served as a commissioner with the Department of Public Safety. His wife, Leonor, is Hispanic and the Daniels Web site says Kevin Daniels has served on the board of directors of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation. He is currently on the board of the New Mexico Bowl as well as Catholic Charities. A tidbit that will titillate Democrats: Republican Daniels donated $500 to Big Bill's 2008 presidential campaign.

Daniels began building his funeral home business here about six years ago. The death biz is a slow-growth business, but it does grow--even in recessions. Raising money will be a key issue for the out-of-favor Republicans as they prepare challenges to the state's three new congressmen. Having a businessman like Daniels who would be able to put his own money into the race would be a major plus.

And before we move on, lets get it out of the way. Is the Daniels candidacy "dead on arrival?" Is Heinrich on his way to a "political funeral?" Whose strike would be "more deadly"--Martin's or Kevin's? Is a bet against Heinrich "dead money?" Well, we could go on, but we won't.....

You're welcome.

COUNTING COUNTY NAMES

While we're name-dropping let's put a couple of more on the table for the Bernalillo County Commission seat soon to be vacated by Deanna Archuleta who is taking a job with the Interior Department in D.C. Former ABQ SE Heights State Senator Shannon Robinson is letting it be know that he would like Big Bill to appoint him to the vacancy. Shannon was defeated for re-election in 2008 when he was ousted by Tim Keller in a Dem primary. Or how about an Archuleta to replace an Archuleta? Arturo Archuleta, Executive Director of the Mexicano Land Education & Conservation Trust, a nonprofit organization providing assistance to Spanish and Mexican community land grants, also is working on the Guv. Deanna departs the commission at the end of the month.

MORE NAME GAME

Then there is literal name dropping--as in dropping the name of convicted felon and former State Senator Manny Aragon from the National Hispanic Cultural Center's torreon (tower). Do you wonder if Manny will write a book while serving time? And did we just scare the bejesus out of a bunch of people by even mentioning the idea?

THE CITY BEAT

ABQ Mayor Marty's impressive support from city workers in collecting donations to qualify for public financing popped up on statewide TV screens. We talked about it with the intrepid Stuart Dyson.