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Thursday, June 21, 2018

Biden With Early Endorsement of MLG, R's Find An SOS Replacement And The Winner Of Our Latest Contest Is. . . . 

We're off and running this first day of Summer '18.

That early endorsement of Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham's gubernatorial candidacy by former Vice-President Joe Biden makes you wonder if we're hearing the first steps on the NM 2020 presidential campaign trail. Biden appears to be weighing a bid for the Dem nomination and by stepping early into a state heavy with Hispanic Democrats, a possible weak point for him, Biden might help himself.

For Lujan Grisham Biden's endorsement is aimed squarely at centrist Dems and men. The centrists may have felt alienated a bit during the June primary which was dominated by progressives. Two male challengers were defeated by MLG so there is a need for outreach with them as the general election approaches. And on that note. . .

Jeff Apodaca says on Facebook that he met last week with Lujan Grisham who vanquished him in the June 5 primary for the Dem governor nomination, but the meeting apparently didn't go so well. He was critical of her in his post and that drew some ire from MLG supporters:

As I said after our loss, we have 40,000 voters and 45,000+ social media followers that have asked us they want accountability from our elected officials. Michelle and I met last week to discuss issues in NM, when I discussed opioid issues in our state she took no responsibility as I asked her it needs to be addressed. I feel we have a responsibility to continue to push NM issues with everyone running for political office. Pearce too. . . 

Lujan Grisham garnered 66 percent in the three way Dem guv primary which also featured Joe Cervantes.

REPLACEMENT FOUND

It appears the R's have come up with a candidate for Secretary of State to replace JoHanna Cox who won the primary unopposed but left the contest under a cloud because of legal malpractice suits filed against her.

Gavin Clarkson of Las Cruces says he wants the NM GOP Central Committee to name him as the November candidate to take on Dem SOS Maggie Toulouse Oliver. The former associate professor at NMSU ran unsuccessfully for the GOP congressional nomination this year. His chances of winning the race are slim but at least loyal R's will have someone to vote for.

AND THE WINNER IS. . .


Our contest for two tickets ($170 value) to the Vintage ABQ Grand Tasting this Friday had readers scrambling to come with the answers to a trio of questions, and many of them nailed them.

So, in went all the winners into our Sinatra Forever hat, and as Frank sang "Summer Wind" on the old CD player, we reached into the cap and pulled from the batch of contestants the name of Carmie Lynn Toulouse. Congratulations, Carmie. You're going to have a grand time.

As for the questions . . .

First we asked who was the first female justice on the NM Supreme Court . The answer is Mary Walters. There is even a Wikipedia page devoted to the subject of the first Supreme Court justices to serve in each state.

The second question gave some readers trouble. They guessed that the first female member of the NM congressional delegation was Heather Wilson, who was elected to the ABQ US House seat in 1998. But the first member of the US House from New Mexico was Georgia Lee Lusk, who was elected in 1946 and served one term, being defeated in the Democratic primary by former Governor Miles in 1948. She was the mother of Gene Lusk, who was the Democratic candidate for Governor in 1966 and was defeated by David Cargo.

And the NM US Senator who carried the bill in the Senate that created Medicare was Democrat Clinton P. Anderson. That has to be one of the most consequential pieces of legislation ever sponsored by a New Mexican on the Hill. He served in the Senate from 1949-73.

Thanks to all who entered the contest. We appreciate your interest. And thanks to Vintage ABQ for the complimentary tickers for our readers. Proceeds from the annual event go toward arts education in the public schools.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018
 
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