Wednesday, January 23, 2019It Won't Be Udall Vs. Sanchez For Senate, But Former Lt. Gov Is Not Ready To Exit Arena; Says His Time Could Still Come, Plus: Susana's Hidden Legacy
In the turbulent Trump era there is little certainty about politics but one thing is sure--former Lt. Governor John Sanchez will not seek the GOP nomination to take on Democrat Udall next year. But Sanchez told me over a coffee break recently at the Starbucks near the ABQ Indian Pueblo Cultural Center that doesn't mean his political career is over. Sanchez chastised those (including this blogger) for promoting his early obituary from state politics, declaring: I am not running for the Senate in 2020 but I am going to remain active in politics and policy. Sanchez, 56, would not be well-positioned for a statewide race so soon after the completion of the Martinez years which ended with her approval ratings in the cellar. Despite having a mind of his own and a strained relationship with Martinez, he would surely be saddled with her sour legacy, if he were to get back into the political fray so soon. However, Sanchez, who built and now presides over a highly successful ABQ roofing business and who previously made a brief run for a GOP Senate nomination, says in politics time acts likes a salve over old wounds. In the future, he argues, Governor Martinez will probably be credited with running a sound fiscal policy from which the state ultimately benefited. Of course, if that panned out it would benefit Sanchez, if he were to seek higher office--say the governorship in four or eight years. That would seem about the only office that would really appeal to the state's former #2. During his eight years he won kudos for his proficiency in presiding over the state senate and for his ability to build bipartisan bridges and avoid the worst instincts of Martinez.
Also, it is little known but Sanchez ceased his formal education upon graduating from high school, but he has been an avid student of government. His experience at the center of it shined through as we sipped coffees and ran through a litany of issues facing the state.
To the disappointment of many of his supporters he never did make a pronounced break with Martinez and her unsavory brand, but he has a reason: It's true that I disagreed with her style but we were in agreement on major policy. What was I to do? Go public with a disagreement about style? Sanchez stayed off the record when exploring the Martinez years in more detail. As for the current Governor, he says he fears MLG and the Dems will overreach: They usually do, but I wish her nothing but the best. Her success will be our state's success. I stand ready to do anything I can to help--pick up the phone to advance business here--whatever. Sanchez makes the point that if and when the Dems do overreach the state will look to the minority R's to right the ship. They did that in '86 following Dem Guv Toney Anaya's unpopular term and elected Republican Governor Carruthers. In '94 it happened again with the baton being passed from Dem Governor Bruce King who lost to Republican Gary Johnson and yet again in 2010 when Dem Guv Bill Richardson plunged in popularity and Martinez and Sanchez won the first of their two terms.
A native New Mexican, Sanchez remains deeply rooted in the state. His elderly mother continues to host the large family at Sunday gatherings in the North Valley and he is preparing to give away a daughter in marriage to the son of former ABQ Republican state Senator Joe Carraro.
At the exact moment our meeting hit the 60 minute mark the disciplined Sanchez arose and cracked, “I’ve got to go. I’ve got a wedding to pay for!”
Like his daughter, it seems John Sanchez is ready for a new beginning.
SUSANA'S HIDDEN LEGACY  While Sanchez is keeping his political options alive, Susana Martinez continues to try to salvage her reputation after a roundly criticized governorship. But the self-proclaimed "most transparent governor in state history" continues to have a hard time living up to that hype. Take a look.A secret donor gave $150,000 to New Mexico Legacy, the group that has been buying ads. . . promoting former Gov. Martinez. . . But who paid for this advertising is apparently a secret. New Mexico Legacy is not a political action committee. Instead, it is a social welfare organization with 501(c)4 status under the federal tax code. That means New Mexico Legacy is not required to disclose its donors, only the amounts of major contributions. It is, however, required to share its tax filings with the public . . It reported raising about $601,000 in 2017 and spent nearly $59,000 on advertising and about $57,000 on management. Former Martinez campaign fundraiser Jessica Perez was the only paid board member. She is listed as receiving about $55,000 in 2017. . . New Mexico Legacy listed 23 donations over $5,000 for the same year, accounting for nearly all of its reported revenue. That included a single donation of $150,000. But the group redacted the identity of all donors. A "social welfare agency" not a group blatantly involved in the political arena promoting Martinez's action as Governor? Now that's a stretch. And why not disclose that $150k donor, or does a major embarrassment lurk? And there you have the latest tale from the “most transparent administration in state history.” HARD TO FIGURE Back to Senator Udall for a moment. His latest approval rating among 450 registered voters conducted by Morning Consult in the fourth quarter of 2018 is an anemic 42 percent, with 30 percent disapproving and 28 percent with no opinion. In July of 2017 the same poll gave him an approval rating of 53%. The firm's fourth quarter poll had Sen Martin Heinrich also scoring a lowly 42 percent approval, but he was just re-elected in November with 54 percent of the vote in a three way race. Go figure. . . This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.   (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019 |
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