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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Padilla Inches Closer To Ending Light Guv Bid; Will Seek Advice From Friends And Family, Plus: Happy Thanksgiving, New Mexico  

Embattled Democratic lieutenant governor candidate and state Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla appeared to inch closer to giving up his bid for the #2 position as storm clouds continued to form over his entanglement in sex harassment charges during the time he worked for the city of ABQ a decade ago. Padilla says he is now seeking advice from friends, family and advisers on whether to end his run. That's political language that is usually the prelude to quitting.

Front running Dem Guv candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham threw Padilla overboard when she was asked in an AP interview whether in light of national developments regarding women and sexual harassment if Padilla should quit. She said he should. That was probably enough to end the Padilla dream but if it wasn't, here's some more:

The Young Democrats of New Mexico, the Bernalillo County Young Democrats, and the UNM College Democrats condemn sexual harassment, assault, and violence. We stand with the victims, and we call on our state leaders to do the same. . . In light of the sexual misconduct allegations, we call for Senator Michael Padilla’s withdrawal from the Lieutenant Governor race and ask for his resignation from his position in the Senate. 

Further, we hereby censure Senator Padilla from all future events with our membership and insist he publicly apologize to the victims. Senator Michael Padilla’s actions were unacceptable, and we ask that he hold himself accountable. We need leaders who will fight to change the culture of systemic sexual harassment, assault, and violence. We stand with victims, and we are committed to promoting candidates who do the same.

Quit the Light Guv race and resign from the Senate?

Well, no, because the voters of Padilla's district were well aware of the charges against him when they voted him into office. Negative campaigning had been conducted and in spite of it the voters decided to elect him on his second try.

A HURT SENATOR?

What will be interesting down the road is if Grisham gets elected Governor and Padilla remains in his whip position. Will he hold it against her as he whips votes in the Senate? It takes a lot less for Senators to break with a sitting Governor. Just ask Bill Richardson or Susana Martinez.

PADILLA AND SHAKESPEARE

Political consultant Chris Brown in Santa Fe comes with a poignant comment on the Padilla imbroglio:

Joe, your political obit for Michael Padilla didn’t include his leadership in the state senate to free up Permanent Funds for early childhood. Or the national kudos he received from the real news media - NPR, NYT NBC, Mother Jones - and that’s just the middle of the alphabet - to stop the shaming of school girls whose parents were behind on their school lunch payments. As Shakespeare wrote, the good men do is oft interred with their bones. Especially in today’s politics.

This is a take no prisoners environment and all the good in a person's life can be swept away in one fell swoop.

Former Dem Bernalillo County Commissioner Steve Gallegos says the pain Padilla is getting will cost Grisham:

Michelle just lost a lot of votes. She's accustomed to stepping on others to pursue her career.

CAN'T GET WORSE?

It can't get worse for a state senator than what has happened to Padilla, right? Well, don't tell that to former State Senate Phil Griego who is going to be spending some serious time behind bars after his recent convictions on corruption charges.

Griego lost his battle with Attorney General Balderas who brought the charges to trial. The former Senator, 69, now waits to hear how long he will go away.

Well, we didn't mean to get you depressed for the holidays. Speaking of which . . .

THANKS FOR THAT

Reader Jennifer Harrison writes:

I just wanted to thank you for your blog. I’m a transplant to NM (only been here 4 years), and your blog is a highlight of my news day. You keep me informed and motivated to get involved locally. I look forward to your posts and your honest analysis. Keep it up! We’re reading, and we’re paying attention.

And reader Norm Gagne writes:

Just a quick note to thank you for your excellent coverage of New Mexico, primarily but not just politics and including the economy, a bit of history and some of the culture. Your blog is second on my reading list each morning you publish. Sorry, I check the weather first. Election night coverage on KANW (where, by the way, I am an occasional Classical Music For A Sunday Morning host) was informative and fun. They were a rowdy but well informed crew. La Politica for 2018 should be worthy subject matter for you and your Alligators. I’ll be among the eager spectators cheering you on.

Appreciate that, Jennifer and Norm. That's a reason to be thankful and to say:

Happy Thanksgiving, New Mexico!

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2017
 
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