Here are some clippings that fell to our newsroom floor this week so let's pick them up.

Republicans are jazzed over the prospect of taking back the governorship in '26. They will need a formidable candidate and one possible now appears "pretty doubtful," according to sources. 

Former NM Supreme Court Chief Justice Judy Nakamura has been testing the waters for a run at the GOP Guv nod. She became the last Republican to carry Bernalillo County in a statewide election in 2016. With her now on the unlikely list the two strongest possibles may be Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, who has publicly confirmed his interest, and former Lt. Gov. John Sanchez who hasn't said anything. 

On the Dem side candidate Deb Haaland continues to roll out endorsements. Recently she came with 50 of them. 

Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima has said he is exploring a bid and BernCo DA Sam Bregman is a possible but has made no comment. 

We get this from a Democrat of long experience who believes the Dem primary could still be competitive even with Haaland the clear early front-runner: 

Joe, I love Deb. I’d love to see her as governor. Then the inevitable butt. I’m hearing and sensing whispers about her electability. The Dems are desperate not to give back what they have achieved here particularly around women’s healthcare rights. With almost a year and a half to hammer her she could be yesterday’s news by the time the primary comes around. If I was Sam Bregman I’d come in late and hard as a "traditional" Democrat. Way late and way hard. The message would be “ I can get elected." Not one negative word about Deb. She has plenty of time to shoot herself in both feet before he gets in. I actually hope I’m wrong.  

The saying says all will be known in the fullness of time. When it comes the early race to replace MLG we prefer the quote from a song sung by Louis Armstrong: "We have all the time in the world."

GULF OF SOMETHING

Monahan in 2007

This is from Ray Seva, retired PIO for the NM Department of Veterans' Services:

Hi Joe, At lunch, a couple of buddies of mine (one Democrat, one Republican) and I were wondering: in light of the "Gulf of Mexico" name change, do you think a Democrat legislator should have introduced a memorial to protect our state's name from being changed to "New America?" On second thought, maybe Dems would think that would sound very progressive, no? (I've been an avid reader for 21-years now--keep up the great work!)

21 years!? That goes back to the blog's founding in 2003. It's always an honor and pleasure to hear from readers who have stuck with us that long. Thanks very much, Ray. With that kind of loyalty, we'll have to splurge for lunch at Barelas for you and the gang.

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