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Monday, April 29, 2013

Sam's The Man: Now Can He Deliver?; New Dem Chairman Promises Susana: "A Storm Is Coming" Plus: Thin Skins At City Hall And: Susana And Hanna Antics 

Sam Bregman
He promised a lot. Now we'll see if Sam Bregman can deliver. The aggressive ABQ trial attorney won election as the new state Democratic Party chairman Saturday in a landslide vote at the party's central committee meeting in Las Cruces. He took the prize 66% to 34% (245-129) over Carlsbad attorney Roxanne Lara.

Bregman promises Republican Governor Martinez that "a storm is coming" and that the Democratic donkey--either asleep or munching on hay during her first two years--will now come back alive and kicking.

No doubt the flamboyant Bregman will be much more up front in leveling criticism against the popular Guv as he prepares to ease the way for the party's eventual 2014 Guv nominee who, as things look today, appears to have an unenviable task.

But politics can change in a flash. Bregman's immediate task is to get the public used to the changed tone and more open criticism of Martinez who is clinging to opinion polls that show her approval well over 60%.

He has plenty of material work with--the state continues to be mired in the worst economic environment of the post-WWII era and there is nothing much being said or done about it.

Bregman's first test will be the October ABQ mayor and city council elections. It is unprecedented for the R's to hold the mayor's office and control the council at the same time as they now do.

Bregman and the Dems don't have to deliver an outright win with Dem Pete Dinelli, but they will have to get him close if they hope to soften the terra firma for next year's run at Martinez.

Look for Bregman and the Dems (and the labor unions) to form super PACs to get the ball rolling against GOP Mayor Berry.

Dem analysts say Bregman also needs to hire a strong executive director for the Dems who have been roundly criticized for pulling in their horns and laying down against the Governor. Ditto for the Democratic leadership in Santa Fe. Said one:

The new director has to be someone who is willing to take on (Guv political adviser) Jay McCleskey & Co. 24/7--not just in terms of responding and playing defense, but going on offense and taking the attack directly to them. And the new Democratic team is going to have to be willing to whip up some courage and party discipline among the elected Democratic officials who have shied away from confrontation.

SAM VS. JAY

McCleskey and Martinez
Bregman will not only target Martinez but also give McCleskey--who has the run of the Fourth Floor--his first real run for the money since Susana took the helm in 2011. On Saturday Bregman repeated Jay's nickname in the political community--"The Shadow Governor," signaling that he sees mileage in making him one of his foils.

Also, Bregman is invulnerable to the intimidation on a personal level that has been a hallmark of the Guv's attack machine. He is wealthy from his legal practice and is a trained professional who relishes the game.

As he has long done with political foes, a number of news reporters, this political blogger and others, McCleskey immediately attempted to personally discredit Bregman as a credible foe in the hope that the public will not listen to his arguments:

Sam Bregman is a criminal defense attorney who had made a name for himself by defending politicians accused of corruption, and New Mexicans will reject his smears against the governor in the same way they rejected his bombastic defenses of corrupt politicos.

But not all of Bregman's clients were "rejected." Many of them had the charges dropped. But what does any of this have to do with the policies of the Santa Fe administration?

McCleskey handled the campaign of Bernalillo County Sheriff Dan Houston who has called several of his female staffers "fat whores." Should we dismiss McCleskey's defense of Martinez administration policies because of his association with Houston?

A Republican analyst suggested that Bregman could model himself after former GOP Chairman John Dendhal, one of the more deadly political pit bulls the state has ever seen and who held forth in the 90's.

Dendahl is probably the model for Bregman. He will need a right-hand man. Dendhal had Kevin Moomaw as his director--aggressive and knowledgeable. Bregman will need to follow suit.

That reminds us. It was Dendahl and Moomaw who cut Bregman's political career short back in 1999 when they engineered his defeat for re-election to the the ABQ city council.

As for Lara, a Carlsbad attorney and former Eddy County commissioner, she lost big to Bregman but she waged a credible campaign. At 38, she has a long political road ahead of her--if she chooses to travel  it.

It simply was not her time.

The great majority of the 369 activist Dems who decided the chair battle Saturday had had enough. They represent the majority party in the state that has been looking and acting more like a minority. They have been losing ground to Martinez in Santa Fe, in the press and in the polls.

The bottom line is that Bregman will be Pit Bull to the Martinez and McCleskey Doberman. We don't know yet where it will lead, but it certainly won't be boring.

THIN SKIN

Rob Perry
The city is getting pretty thin skinned now that the reality of what they face with the troubled APD is setting in. Take a look:

ABQ City Chief Administrative Officer Rob Perry refused to say how much the city was paying them (attorneys) and instead suggested a public records request be filed for the information.

The question was posed to Perry as litigation continued over the $10.3 million the city must pay the family of  an Iraqi war veteran who was shot and killed by APD.

Perry, an attorney, knows very well how much those five lawyers for the city are being paid. Why make his bosses--the taxpayers--jump through hoops to find out how their money is being spent?

Numerous police lawsuit cases as a result of the many fatal police shootings  are going to go on for years and years. They will cost the city untold millions and millions. It does no good to try to deny it, spin it or go into the bunker. That has been the past practice and that's a reason why the Untied States Department of Justice has had to come to ABQ to investigate the police department and its management.

KING SUSANA?

And the same attitude (arrogance?) is creeping into state government. Governor Martinez's office issued a somewhat bizarre statement when asked about her education secretary dropping the word "desigante' fro her title. Because she has not been confirmed by the sate Senate, Hanna Skandera remains "Secretary of Education designate," but the department has chosen to ignore it and with the full support of Martinez. Here's the statement:

“Secretary Skandera has been in the job for more than 2 years and the Rules Committee has had ample opportunity to give her a vote on the Senate floor. The governor supports Secretary Skandera and the work she’s doing as her cabinet secretary for public education...The Governor and Secretary Skandera are focused on giving New Mexico students every opportunity they deserve to succeed. Legislators and the media can keep calling her Secretary designate if they wish, but Governor Martinez considers Hanna her Secretary of Public Education.”

"Legislators and the media can keep calling her...designate?" Hey, Fourth Floor, she's called that because it's the law--one of the many the Governor of the state takes an oath to uphold. You don't get to pick and choose which ones and you don't get to decide what an independent branch of government should do. That is, unless there's a new law we haven't heard of that says when your approval rating is over 60% you get to do whatever the heck you want...

FOR THE RECORD (CONT/)

Sometimes you just get off on the wrong track on a story and stay there. Readers enjoyed our analysis and commentary on the wayward comments of the Bernalillo County GOP executive director about two young women who testified before the Bernalillo County commission in favor of an increase in the minimum wage, but we had trouble with the details, Nothing earth shaking, but still. First, we made it sound as if only one woman was the target of his derogatory remarks ("radical bitch" etc.). Then we screwed up the correction, saying the women were against the minimum hike. Finally, we called BernCo GOP Chairman "Roger." His first name is Frank. Maybe it was spring fever?

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Not for reproduction without permission of the author 

Monday, July 03, 2023

Our Blog DA Scoop: Bregman Confirms He Will Run Despite Pledge Not To; Plus: Black Hat Is Back As DA Gets Tough In Announcement Video, Also: Backstory On MLG And Sam Smoothing Things Over  

DA Bregman
Our exclusive report posted Wednesday at 12:30 a.m. revealing that Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman would seek election next year, contrary to his earlier statements, appeared to quickly smoke out the DA. After not responding to our inquiry for comment, he called a news conference and confirmed that he was indeed running for election to a four year term as DA in 2024. (Full statement here.)

Bregman's not wasting time hitting the campaign trail now that he's in. He released a website and 90 second digital ad touting his service thus far and asking voters to join him because his fight against crime is "just getting started." 

He is also back with his black cowboy hat, filmed strolling thru the city like a sheriff from rural New Mexico, ensuring the DA campaign will be nothing if not entertaining. 

As for that pledge made when MLG appointed him in January that he would not run and only fill out the remainder of the term of DA Raul Torrez who was elected attorney general, he cited progress he is making in the office as the reason for the change of heart. He added that he had informed the Governor of his decision. 

When she appointed Bregman, 60, in January, MLG affirmed that he would not seek election to the job.

Bregman's decision is a mild embarrassment for the Governor. Whether she endorses Bregman in the Democratic primary is another story. However, so far he has no announced opposition. Her office said in reaction to his reversal:

Gov. Lujan Grisham wanted to. . . appoint a Bernalillo County DA (who) would be squarely focused on the work of the office and not a re-election bid.

KOAT reported Bregman registered his candidate website May 25 and registered his candidacy with the secretary of state on June 1.

BREGMAN HISTORY

It is not a given but highly likely that the winner of the June '24 Dem primary will go on to be elected in the November general election. No Republican has held the post since the last century. 

Bregman, however, does not have a winning record as a political candidate. 

In 1994 he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for state land commissioner, losing to Ray Powell in a three way race, 60 to 25 percent. 

In 1995 he was elected to the ABQ City Council from NE Heights District 4 but lost his 1999 re-election bid to Republican Brad Winter.

In 1997 Bregman sought the ABQ mayor's office, placing fourth in a seven way initial election which was won by Jim Baca who went on to win the run-off election. 

In 2000 he ran for the Dem nomination for the ABQ congressional seat. He was defeated in a three way race with John Kelly getting 43 percent to his 34 percent. 

Bregman served as NM Democratic Party chairman in the 2014 election cycle but did not seek re-election. That year the GOP took over the state House for the first time in 60 years and Republican Gov. Susana Martinez was re-elected in a landslide.

A CHALLENGER?

Will that losing electoral history lure any challenges into the race for the Dem DA nomination? Former DA Raul Torrez did have a primary challenger when he ran in 2016 and handily defeated him but drew no primary opponent in 2020. No Republican ran in the general election. 

Alligators opine that Bregman is expected to be well-financed and note his high name ID. They think he would be most vulnerable to a Hispanic challenger who appeals to the party's progressive base. 

Progressives were quick to criticize Bregman's maiden campaign video as being over the top in presenting him as what they saw as a very conservative crime fighter. 

That Bregman may have smoothed things over with MLG was evident when Assistant District Attorney Diana Garcia, who also applied to replace Torrez and whose sister has served in MLG's cabinet, told us that she would not be running for DA next year. She even heaped praise on Bregman, saying he is doing "a very good job."

At that news conference Bregman, a trial attorney who was born in Washington, DC and is a UNM School of Law grad, cited statistics that he says show the success he has had in fighting crime in his first six months on the job. He confidently opined that when it comes to crime Bernalillo County is "headed in the right direction." 

That statement was eerily reminiscent of then DA Torrez who after his first year in office called reporters together to announce that crime was on the decline. It was not to be.

MLG AND BREGMAN

A veteran Santa Fe politico adds to our blog exclusive on Bregman running again and how it may have come down with MLG:

Joe, Sam was at the May 15 memorial service for former Governor Jerry Apodaca at the Roundhouse where MLG gave a eulogy. The DA race came up in conversations among Sam and their politically active mutual friends. What I heard is that Sam checked with MLG and his wife Jackie before discussing it with potential supporters and that MLG (and Jackie) are not only agreeable, but strongly supportive of his running next year. 

We don't doubt it but next time the Guv might be more careful in publicly announcing someone else's election plans.

Meanwhile, a pat on the scaly backs of our Alligators for assisting with the DA scoop as well as their help in breaking the news out of Lea County on the scramble set off over Sen. Gay Kernan's resignation.

Happy Fourth! 

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Monday, May 13, 2024

"Amateur Hour Is Over": Martinez Slams Bregman In Debut TV As DA Race Is Fully Joined; Chides Opponent For "Playing Cowboy"; Contest In Crime-Heavy ABQ Seems Close 

Damon Martinez
Will BernCo District Attorney Sam Bregman's black hat earn him a black eye from Democratic primary votes and vault Damon Martinez into the winner's circle? 

Martinez seems to think so. 

His debut TV ad portrays Bregman as a frivolous "amateur" who has been "playing cowboy" while ABQ streets have become the "Wild West."

The thirty second spot gets a lot done. It effectively ridicules Bregman's signature cowboy hat meant to convey a tough on crime image. 

It makes the case for Martinez by reminding Dem voters of his service as a US attorney ('14-'17), appointed by President Obama.

The ad takes note of his military service--and in a contention that will surely be disputed by Bregman--claims Martinez took on violent criminals and the drug cartels.

Bregman, appointed DA by MLG in January '23 to fill the vacancy created when Raul Torrez was elected attorney general, immediately donned his black hat causing analysts to wonder if he was going too far for a Dem primary by appealing to Republicans and hard-line conservatives as he turned off center and left Dems.

That is now easy pickings for Martinez who is trying to appeal to Dems across the board. His spot leads off with footage from Bregman's first ad that shows him strolling down an alley in his black hat. The script:

While Sam Bregman has been playing cowboy our streets have become the Wild West. He's left murderers off the hook and given sweetheart deals to big time drug dealers. Amateur hour is over. Damon Martinez is a former US Attorney appointed by President Obama. He took on violent criminals and cartels. As DA he'll do it again. He'll put criminals in jail and make sure our streets are safe for the ones we care about the most.... 

That last line of the narration--"the ones we care about the most"--shows a young boy wearing a cowboy hat and a lasso around his shoulder walking with his back to camera, making for a final dig at what Martinez believes is Bregman's inauthenticity accented by his showy head gear.

DA Bregman
Martinez backs up his accusations on Bregman's prosecutorial record by citing the dates that media outlets published articles about them. But there is more heat than light when any public official around here claims to have made a dent in the historic crime rate.

The line "amateur hour is over" is punctuated with vintage black and white film of a cowboy actor swirling a lasso for a throw while a country western band fiddles away, another effort to make Bregman appear whimsical.

The Obama mention is complemented by a photo of Martinez talking with President Obama, a clear signal to a large segment of the Democratic primary electorate that may be confused about this race. The Obama reference could point them in the direction Martinez desires.

On the other end of the spectrum there is a shot of Martinez in his uniform serving in the US Army Reserves as a Colonel and a JAG officer in the NM National Guard.

SEEMS CLOSE

The Martinez-Bregman contest in big BernCo is the state's most expensive this primary because there are no statewide contests on the ballot. Bregman has raised over $400,000 and Martinez over $300,000 with over half of his from personal loans.

Neither candidate has a sterling election record. Martinez has never been elected and in his only previous effort he lost the 2018 ABQ Dem US House primary to Deb Haaland. Bregman has run numerous times for various public offices the past 30 years but has only won once--for a single term on the ABQ City Council. 

The race seems close with Bregman's superior name ID putting him in the driver's seat in the early going but now Martinez joining the fray with this effective TV ad and starting to chip away at Bregman, a former criminal defense attorney and onetime chair of the NM Dem Party.  

Neither seems a comfortable fit with the voting public because neither has been convincing that they have credible crime-fighting credentials. That makes their paid media all the more vital.

One of them will win the primary and the four year term up for grabs. No Republican is running.

SIGN TIME

What would a campaign be if candidates were not complaining about their signs being stolen or vandalized? They are off and running with that theme. This is from Dem Bernalillo County Clerk candidate Karen Montoya: 

We've noticed a few of our campaign signs have gone missing or been tampered with recently. As we work hard to represent you in Bernalillo County, we're asking for your help in keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity around our signs. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Your assistance in safeguarding our campaign materials is greatly appreciated. 

Montoya is competing with Deputy County Clerk Michelle Kavanaugh for the Dem Clerk nomination. County Clerk Linda Stover is term limited. Robert Kwasny and Clayton Pryor are the GOP candidates but the Dem primary winner is heavily favored in November. A Republican hasn't been elected to the post since. . .well. . .we'd have to look that one up.

By the way, Clerk Linda was toying with a run for ABQ Mayor in 2025 but has now told friends she will not be a candidate.

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Tuesday, March 05, 2024

Hot DA Race Down To Two With One Dropout And As Former US Attorney Iglesisas Slams DA Bregman Over DWI Dismissals In APD Corruption Scandal 

David Iglesias
The hot and heavy race for the Democratic nomination for Bernalillo County District Attorney is down to two hopefuls after progressive attorney Mathias Swonger has dropped out after his campaign was unable to gather the required number of nominating signatures.

That word comes from an operative associated with former US Attorney Damon Martinez who is now the lone challenger to DA Sam Bregman who was appointed to fill a vacancy by MLG and is now seeking election.

The position is especially high profile this cycle because of the APD scandal that saw Bregman dismissing 200 DWI cases allegedly involving officers involved in a scheme with at least one defense attorney that had them failing to appear in court so their DWI arrest cases would be dismissed in exchange for bribes paid to them and the defense lawyers. 

Bregman said judicial ethics gave him no choice but to dismiss the 200 open cases that involved the APD officers.

The dismissals are drawing fire in a state with some of the highest rates of alcohol deaths and DWI arrests in the nation. Former GOP US attorney David Iglesias is one of the more prominent legal experts now blasting the Bregman decision:

Bregman’s handling of the DWI corruption cases is unacceptable. The District Attorney controls the prosecution of a case, including letting APD leadership know when officers fail to appear in court which results in the charges being dismissed. This procedure had been common practice. D.A. Bregman’s change in practice is an egregious failure. His attempt to shift blame by characterizing these notifications as a “courtesy” is shamefully wrong.  The DA’s mission, according to their website, is: “To be relentless in holding people accountable …  [by] unwavering commitment… [to] the community.” But when cops failed to appear, Bregman didn’t even bother to notify APD. This action is a dereliction of his duty to the community. 

When Bregman was a criminal defense attorney, he had DWI cases dismissed involving one of the main APD officers currently under federal investigation. Therefore, Bregman had the ethical responsibility to recuse himself from anything to do with the 195 dismissed DWI cases. Neither he nor his office can impartially prosecute this apparent public corruption. He should have turned the matter over to the New Mexico Attorney General, where I served as a prosecutor many years ago. 

On January 2nd, the US Attorney notified Bregman of a confidential investigation and his response was to issue a press release and speak to the press about dismissing the DWI cases by blaming the FBI investigation. This action allowed the news media to connect the dots with the FBI’s lawful searches of a defense attorney’s office and three police officers’ homes. Bregman’s conduct was inexcusable and politically motivated. Albuquerque needs an ethical District Attorney. Without that non-negotiable requirement, the fox has the keys to the henhouse. 

Of course, we welcome any reaction from DA Bregman. 

Iglesias served as the United States Attorney for New Mexico between 2001-2007 and retired from the U.S. Navy JAG Corps in 2014. He has not endorsed former US Attorney Martinez.

The departure of Swonger from the DA's race will have marginal impact as he was not expected to raise much campaign funding. However, a two way race could benefit Martinz since Swonger was positioned to win some of the anti-Bregman vote.

No Republican has yet announced for the position. Filing day is March 12. No R has been elected to the post since the 90's. 

NOT JUST PROGRESSIVES

On the Monday blog we pinned the legislative failure for an increase in the alcohol tax as a means of reducing the state's nation-leading rate of alcohol deaths on the progressives. But reader Bruce Shah has an addendum:

Perhaps it is simply a coalition of $$$ that blocks everything. Did you not say earlier that there are more registered lobbyists than legislators? 

GUN BILLS

(Journal)
She didn't get the tougher gun laws she wanted but the Legislature did approve four gun safety measures and that was enough for the Governor to set up a major photo op with the kids at ABQ's West Mesa high as she signed them into law. 

Meanwhile, the chances of her calling a special session to deal with more public safety legislation is seen as slim.

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Wednesday, January 04, 2023

Mixed Reviews For Guv's New Appointments; Bregman To BernCo DA Post; Three Named To Public Regulation Commission 

New DA Bregman
Longtime political lightning rod Sam Bregman will be flashing his stuff as the new Bernalillo County District Attorney courtesy of a gubernatorial appointment from MLG, but his stint as DA will be relatively short-lived. The Governor said he will not seek election to the post in 2024 but finish out the two years remaining on the term of Raul Torrez who is now NM attorney general. 

Bregman's decision to take the job without the prospect of being elected in his own right was a saving grace for the bombastic trial attorney and former NM Democratic party chairman. His critics could carp over his appointment but were somewhat muted knowing he was not going to be around for the long haul. 

Still, some speculated that Bregman could use the DA job as a launching pad for a 2025 run for mayor of ABQ, a post he sought back in 1997 when he was serving his one term on the ABQ City Council from a NE Heights district. (He was defeated in '99 by Republican Brad Winter.)

That speculation was also muted when ABQ Mayor Tim Keller quickly issued  a statement of welcome to Bregman, a 59 year old native of DC who took his law degree at the UNM School of Law: 

We are very optimistic about the appointment of Sam Bregman as District Attorney, his experience on City Council combined with his work with our team at APD bodes well for a tough on crime partnership to help make our streets safer.

That Keller lifted a GOP slogan in his nod to Bregman--"tough on crime"-- did not go unnoticed. The Democratic progressive mayor is not so progressive anymore as he swerves rightward on crime as his approval rating plummets below 40 percent. 

MLG was also tarred with the ABQ metro crime wave in her re-election last year and it's believed to have clipped her margin of victory. Now she has Bregman as her frontman to again try to prove her bona fides on the ongoing crime crisis that saw a record 120 murders in the Duke City in 2022.

APD watcher Dan Klein says Bregman "will shake things up. He is change and we need change."

IN YOUR FACE

Bregman's in your face style will be useful to her (and Keller and APD Chief Medina) as they try to convince the public that they are not softies. But Bregman brings with him a reputation for unpredictability and a love for the camera that could lead to parts unknown. 

As Dem chair in 2013 he was muzzled for a time due to an email scandal he became entangled in involving leaked emails of GOP Gov. Martinez.

He was labeled "Showboat Sam" back in '99 when the Republicans defeated him in his council re-election bid. 

Bregman turned progressive Dem heads when he signed up as a legal client one of the two ABQ police officers who killed homeless camper James Boyd in 2014. Long ago he made a play for state land commissioner, sporting a black cowboy hat in his TV ads that had him looking like a spokesman for a dude ranch. 

Yes, Bregman's path through La Politica has been lengthy, controversial and colorful. There could be more of that if he doesn't quickly resign his post as a Guv appointed member of the NM Racing Commission which he currently chairs. And then there are the lawsuits pending against the state by the noted defense attorney. Will those present a conflict of interest as he assumes his new role of prosecuting bad guys?

However loquacious or convincing the new district attorney is in his comfortable role in front of a camera, it will be results that matter. The crime wave will not be talked away with a finely tuned closing argument. 

AWKWARD APPOINTMENT

The Bregman appointment was awkward for the Governor. He was on the first list of applicants for the position released by her office but then she mysteriously decided to reopen the application process and delayed the appointment until the new year. The cynics argue she solicited more names because she did not want to leave the impression that the job was "wired" for her ally Bregman.

Whatever the reason it was a lesson in how not to appoint the chief law enforcement of the state's largest county in the middle of a crime crisis.

MIXED UP PRC

Brian Moore
As Bregman premiered to mixed reviews, it was ditto for the three appointees to the new Public Regulation Commission (PRC) named by Gov. Lujan Grisham. The most mixed are over engineer Patrick O'Connell who has 28 years experience with New Mexico utilities. The problem? A chunk of that experience is with electric utility PNM, the regulation of which is the most important duty of the PRC.

That tie to PNM made his selection a jaw-dropper. After all, wasn't the old five member PRC abolished in favor of an appointed panel because it was seen as too pliable by industries it regulates? How does O'Connell give the state a fresh start? And what about him voting on the proposed merger of PNM with Spain-based multinational Avangrid? Can he even vote on it given his background? 

The Governor is supportive of that merger which in a gutsy move was shot down by the old PRC amid controversy over Avangrid's track record elsewhere. But she and the well-financed environmental lobby are determined to push that merger through because they believe it will advance clean energy goals (and there are golden parachutes at PNM to be opened and campaign contributions to be counted by the politicos).

The other PRC appointee that had the Alligators scratching their snouts was that of former GOP state Rep. Brian Moore of Clayton. The law requires that only two of the three commissions can be of the same political party. No sooner had Moore been given the nod than he said he was not really familiar with the key issues facing the PRC, including the high-profile PNM-Avangrid merger. Really? Again, wasn't the purpose of the new PRC to have individuals with in-depth knowledge of utilities and regulation? Moore owns a supermarket in Clayton which presumably uses a lot of electricity. But he offered no assurances that his expertise extended beyond that. 

The appointments require confirmation by the state senate, usually a formality, but one wonders if any legislators are curious about these matters and will address them when the time comes. Or is the bright light  thrown off by that glittery PNM-Avangrid merger blinding them?

Oh, the third appointment to the panel from MLG is Gabriel Aguilar who actually is knee-deep in utility experience and with no apparent conflicts of interest. He has worked for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) since 2007 as a senior policy advisor. 

Aguilera, a NMSU grad, has a Masters in Business from the University of Maryland. He probably doesn't know it but he has now signed up for the Ph.D program of La Politica. Congrats, Gabe. . . or something.  

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Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Mayoral Run By DA Bregman Against Keller Seems More Likely; Financial Strength And Conservative Support Combine To Make DA The Anti-Keller Contender If He Wants The Role, Plus: Key State Rep. Calls Out ABQ Mayor And Chief Over Crime Wave  

Bregman and Keller
Will Democratic BernCo District Attorney Sam Bregman be the defacto Republican and conservative candidate for ABQ Mayor next year? There are plenty of signs pointing toward that outcome and they have Team Keller on high alert.

Bregman, appointed District Attorney by MLG in January 2023 to replace DA Torrez who had been elected attorney general, easily defeated Damon Martinez at the June '24 Dem primary for DA. With no Republican running in November, he will be elected to his own four year term.

But the odds are he will interrupt it.

Bregman, unabashedly ambitious and with a hunger for the top city job (he's run before), is beginning to look like the only plausible alternative to his fellow Democrat and Mayor Tim Keller, a sometimes progressive who will be seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in November 2025.

For a Democrat the tough-talking Bregman is receiving noticeable support from the conservative establishment, including the newspaper, the ABQ Chamber of Commerce and NAIOP, the commercial real estate group. They desperately want a candidate and Bregman seems the natural pick--a crime conservative Democrat in a city where electing a Republican has become next to impossible.

Bregman raised nearly $500,000 for his successful DA ran, an impressive sum and the most of any candidate in the state in the 2024 primary. He has the organizational flair to qualify for nearly $700,000 in public financing available to mayoral candidates or he could reject public financing and raise more than that from private donations.

If Bregman did go for public money it would likely be joined with an outside PAC that could raise another $500,000 or more, giving the DA the financial strength to compete.

Keller is expected to again qualify for public financing and have an outside PAC formed for him.

Who else could play in this rarefied mayoral atmosphere? Who else wants to? There are no eager beavers in the early going.

A Keller-Bregman face-off dotted perhaps with a few second-tier hopefuls would make for a classic conservative vs. progressive campaign over crime.

Bregman would bring with him loads of political baggage from his stints as state Dem party chair and as a criminal defense attorney but his more recent performance as DA has been ratified by the public and given him the hope that his past will not drag him down.

Keller is an experienced and effective campaigner. If Bregman takes a pass on the mayoral race, it could mean Keller's persistence in the face of adversity could pay off with that unprecedented third term in a row. If Bregman runs, the race is tossed high into the air.  

BLAME GAME

Rep. Chandler
If Bregman does take the mayoral plunge he'll have to stop blaming the legislature for the ongoing crime wave in ABQ and put blame on the mayor and police chief. Of course, his performance as DA would also come under intense scrutiny. 

As we've been reporting top lawmakers are now turning against the city for constantly blaming them for the stubborn crime. The latest:

At an interim meeting of the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee, the chairwoman, Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, said the Legislature has allocated "hundreds of millions of dollars" to agencies that leave money on the table. 

"There's been laser focus by this Legislature to ensure that those with the responsibility of enforcing the laws have the resources that they need. They're not being utilized. It's just not happening, and we need to start calling it for what it is." Chandler also said the state has "hundreds and hundreds of criminal laws" that need to be enforced. 

"We have a city (ABQ) here that suffers from a serious crime problem. It's the mayor and it's the police department that's primarily responsible for ensuring [laws are enforced], not the Legislature. We have been providing the resources that they ask for and that they need, so let's just call it as it is."

If Chandler came down here and ran for mayor, she just might win--and without a runoff.

DON'T GET BLUE 

At the risk of getting blue in the face, we again urge state policy makers to seriously consider providing high speed internet to rural New Mexico via Starlink and its satellites that are so successful across the globe--and more cost effective than rolling out fiber to remote households. But the window is closing. The latest:

New Mexico is one step closer to using $675 million in federal dollars to get high speed internet to more people across the state. A year ago, the Biden administration announced that New Mexico would get $675 million to expand broadband access from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD) program. New Mexico’s initial plan for how to spend the millions was approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, so the state can move forward to request and pick subgrant recipients for the money.

The state broadband office has indicated that satellite internet will be deployed as a last resort. But with fiber taking years to install, they are missing an entire generation of New Mexicans.

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Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Crime Crisis Competition: DA Bregman Draws Opponent With Experience And Name ID But Who Also Has Baggage; Former US Attorney Damon Martinez Enters Contest 

Damon Martinez

Sam Bregman has a recurring nightmare--an Hispanic Democrat with name ID, a long background in law enforcement and the ability to raise money decides to oppose him for the Democratic nomination for District Attorney in next June's primary. Only it isn't a nightmare anymore. 

It became reality today when former US Attorney Damon Martinez announced he will oppose Bregman who MLG appointed to the job in January when DA Raul Torrez became attorney general.

Martinez, 57, who in 2018 was named as APD's Chief Policy Adviser and left the $125,000 a year position in August, ripped into Bregman, coming with this:

I am answering the call to service because our current District Attorney is not providing the leadership and expertise that we so desperately need. Murders are being plead down and fentanyl dealers are serving one or two days in jail and then being released to continue terrorizing our streets. It has to stop and I have the experience and expertise that this moment demands. 

We'll carry Bregman's response when it comes in. 

As a former US Attorney Martinez far outranks Bregman in prosecutorial experience who has only a previous stint as an assistant district attorney in the DA's office. Rather, he has heady success as one of the state's more prominent criminal defense lawyers. 

Martinez will have some baggage in the primary. His service with APD makes him vulnerable to charges that he has done little to resolve the crime crisis even as he served at the top of the department. 

In addition, he suffered a media takedown as US attorney when he was questioned about a controversial ATF sting in the ABQ SE Heights that he was deeply involved in. The four month operation resulted in allegations of racial profiling and a not so hot prosecution scorecard of this arrested.

Earlier in 2018 when he ran for the Dem nomination for the ABQ congressional seat against Deb Haaland, the progressive wing rejected the US Attorney and he came in second to Haaland who went on to win the primary and general election.

DA Bregman

This time around  chances may be better because there is no name progressive in the race--at least not yet. Longtime Public Defender Matthias Swonger has announced a run but he faces financial challenges and is unknown. 

Also, our analysts said at the time Bregman announced his campaign in early July he may have swerved too far to the right in a Democratic and often progressive county and continues to do so as he courts favor with business and the media. 

Not that Martinez's rhetoric on crime won't be tough but it will be coming from a more demure personality, one with deep connections to the Hispanic community that is often on the frontlines of the crime crisis. 

MARTINEZ STRATEGY

The ABQ native, a UNM School of Law grad who worked as a legislative aide to US Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, can be expected to follow the old Marty Chavez playbook and work the Hispanic Valley hard while showing his tough on crime stripes to the conservative far NE Heights and other voters who are fed up with the ongoing crime scene.

Martinez can also probably count on the help of Mayor Tim Keller's organization. Why? Bregman insiders are now talking about the DA getting elected to a four year term in 2024 and then turning around and campaigning for Mayor of ABQ in 2025 when Keller may very well be seeking a third term. Bregman previously ran unsuccessfully for mayor. 

THE BOTTOM LINES

Walt Benson
Since he is is outnumbered 4 to 1, you might say Republican BernCo Commissioner Walt Benson has no choice but to work across party lines. He points out that he often does although some of his GOP brethren may want him to be more of a firebrand. 

Benson, a financial advisor who represents reliably Republican NE Heights District 4, says he will seek re-election next year to another four year term. 

Benson calls himself a "commonsense Republican" who is helping make possible the first Sheriff's substation in the northern part of the county and who works to make it easier to conduct business here. 

As for the Dems who outnumber him, maybe he can give them some coupons to Baskin Robbins to soften them up. He owns two of their stores. 

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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Emailgate Battle Goes On; Governor Again Attacks Dem Chair Bregman Over Hijacked Emails As Press Asks For Franco Records For Louisiana Trip; Fight For Control Of State Political Narrative  

Sam Bregman
Silencing the loquacious Sam Bregman could be likened to trying to quiet a Harley-Davidson, but direct attacks on the new state Democratic Party chairman by Governor Martinez appear to be doing the trick. In her latest fund-raising email the Governor personally hammers Bregman for his role in emailgate and chides him for retreating under a veil of silence:

...Federal indictments were handed down related to the illegal interception of my personal and political emails. Those emails...ended up being published on the Internet...The same grand jury that indicted a fired former staffer who I refused to hire in the administration, also indicted a Democratic political operative whose computer was seized by the FBI in the course of the email-theft investigation. But the Democrat was indicted for something much more serious than email theft--he was indicted for the child pornography the FBI found when they raided his house. This Democrat operative...was the PAC Manager at the time of the email theft for the now Democratic Party Chairman Sam Bregman. Not surprisingly, the Democratic Party Chairman is now refusing to answer any questions about what he knew about the scheme to steal and distribute personal and political emails.

This is the second time Martinez has personally taken on Bregman, The first time was in a Facebook posting earlier this month. At the time Bregman came with this retort:

"Governor Martinez, need I remind you that as a lawyer you are an officer of the court and you have professional responsibilities...You should take a refresher course to better understand that you should not attempt to use your position as Governor to influence, inject politics into or bully the US Attorney’s office in their investigation, all while attempting to deflect the investigation of your shadow governor, Jay McCleskey and the Dirty Downs Scandal. Or perhaps your motive is to change the conversation from the miserable, sorry job that you have done as Governor when it comes to creating jobs in this state and educating our children..."Regardless, I will not make further comments regarding the criminal investigation and you should reconsider your current behavior as the Governor...”

It's that last line from Bregman--"I will not make further comments" that has Dems concerned if Bregman is permanently on the defensive against Martinez--just as the 14' re-election cycle begins.

The battle here is for the political narrative--is it about Martinez's email account being hijacked by her former campaign manager and making her a "victim" of a political dirty trick and perhaps a criminal act? Or is this really more about what was on some of the hijacked emails concerning a 25 year racino lease for the ABQ Downs and allegations of bid-rigging?

Bregman shifted the argument over to the Downs deal in that June 6 statement, but he has been silent on the major emailgate news of the week--a renewed interest by the press in obtaining travel records for a 2011 Louisiana hunting trip taken by First Gentleman Chuck Franco and two state policemen serving as his security detail.

Bregman promised a much more boisterous and effective attack on Martinez than that given by former Chairman Javier Gonzales. But on what could be the preeminent issue for giving the Governor a run for her money--the Downs deal--the question is whether Bregman has been silenced. If he has, can he still be effective without the sharpest arrow in his quiver?

As for Martinez, her decision to go toe-to-toe with her political rivals despite sporting an approval rating north of 60% is seen by political pros as her way of rallying the GOP base. They say '14 will be a low turnout election and throwing red meat out there is one way to get the R's into the voting booths and raise campaign cash. The downside is that the gubernatorial nastiness might not play well with Dems and independents so keeping it "all in the Republican family" is probably the play for now.

EMAILGATE AND MEDIA

The Martinez fund-raising letter came on the same day when the ABQ Journal editorialized on the stonewalling the press and public is getting from the administration on the release of expense records for Franco's now controversial Louisiana alligator hunting trip. The trip took place at the same time the administration was negotiating the Downs racino lease. Two owners of the Downs live in Louisiana.

The administration says the Downs owners did not provide lodging or food to Franco and his police protectors nor did anyone else involved with state government or politics. But the administration steadfastly refuses to say who "privately hosted" the state policemen and Franco, arguing doing so would compromise "security."

The Journal appeared to be dragging its feet on the story after the New Mexican was first refused the Franco records, but in their editorial they joined the journalistic hunting party:

Also not forthcoming are details of expenses paid for first gentleman Chuck Franco’s 2011 alligator-hunting trip in Louisiana and copies of Martinez’ past or present calendars, so the public can know when she’s been in Santa Fe or elsewhere... The administration should reassess its position and avoid a legal battle that will likely end with the records being declared public, the taxpayers getting stuck with hefty legal bills and the public more cynical than ever.

It is key that the paper mentioned the records for the Franco trip. The NM Foundation for Open Government (FOG) has filed a request for the Governor's state police expense records under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), but only for the three months leading up to the 2012 presidential election. The hunting trip took place in September 2011.

We had some computer glitches Wednesday and some of you may have already seen our piece on the FOG action. For those who didn't, the question we raised was why FOG is not taking legal action to get the Franco trip records and that someone ought to. Why not the ABQ Journal?

We're asking for the records of where he and his taxpayer paid escorts were lodged and fed on each night of the Louisiana vacation--even if it was complimentary and there is no "expense" record.

Well, one way or another the Franco trip records are bound to surface. Only then will we see if there is some kind of smoking gun there or much ado about nothing. Meanwhile, the Governor is starting to spend the political capital she has accumulated with her most stalwart media allies. Ultimately, they have to answer to the public--not her.

EICHENBERG IN 

Former Bernalillo County Treasurer Pat Padilla now has company in the Dem race for State Treasurer. Former ABQ NE Heights state Senator Tim Eichenberg makes his run official:

We all owe a debt to our current State Treasurer, James B. Lewis, who is termed out, for the work he has done to restore ethics and honesty to the Treasurer’s office. We share the same core values of respect for the public trust as well as ethical behavior by elected officials, and I will continue his fine work. My experience and reputation for fiscal responsibility make me the right choice for the office so crucial to our state’s financial integrity.

Eichenberg was elected Bernalillo County Treasurer in 1974, at the age of 22. He was Property Tax Director for New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department; and he currently serves as a board member on the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA). Eichenberg was elected to the Senate in 2008 but did not seek re-election in 2012.

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Tuesday, February 01, 2011

New Names Floated For Dem Chair As Bregman Circles, Plus: Grading Schools With Hanna & Susana, And: More Cool Political Stuff For A Winter Tuesday 

Lawrence Rael
New names are starting to float as possible candidates for the chairmanship of the New Mexico Democratic Party as establishment types worry that bombastic trial attorney Sam Bregman could pick up steam if current chair Javier Gonzales decides not to seek another term.

Lawrence Rael and Joe Campos, both Dem lieutenant governor candidates in 2010, are being mentioned by the Great Mentioners as possible contenders for the job if Gonzales goes.

Bregman must feel like he needs a bullet proof vest since he announced his bid. He has been bombarded with criticism, including a couple of anonymous web sites panning him as a poor choice for the party because as a defense attorney he has represented Democratic politicos charged with corruption.

They also say he is too boisterous and would get in the way of Dem US Senator Jeff Bingaman and President Obama, both of whom are up for re-election next year. But Javier is taking hits for going Hamlet and saying he is now undecided about seeking another term after saying he was a go. Bregman backers say Sam is filling the leadership vacuum and has the political acumen to be party leader.

Supporters of a Rael or Campos chairmanship say they have solid managerial skills and would present a calmer face to the voting public than the sometimes caustic Bregman. They fear a backlash if Bregman becomes the face of the party.

Rael and Campos are both quiet types and both Hispanic in a party whose majority membership is Hispanic. Rael, a longtime government administrator, is retired. He once worked for Senator Bingaman.

Party chair is not a coveted job and Bregman's enthusiasm for the post plus his ability to raise money for the party have others giving him the once over. They are not convinced that Bregman's clients would be fodder for the R's, saying such info is more insider baseball than anything.

The anonymous attacks on Bregman also may be falling short of the mark with some Dems who don't see them as relevant as his positions on issues. From our email regarding the stopsam.com site:

The site has a private registration. This stinks. As they are hitting Bregman on ethics, it is incumbent on the publishers of this site to come forward lest be branded “hypocrites.” Inquiring minds would like to know who is hitting Bregman, and I’ll be bet he would too.

Javier is looking increasingly jittery about running. He is in line to become president of the NMSU Board of Regents and knows being party chair at the same time is not kosher. A decision on whether he will run is expected this week.

With well-known opposition like Rael or Campos, party insiders say Bregman faces an uphill battle, but with the shaky condition of the party, a victory is still possible.

Several hundred members of the Democratic Party State Central committee will meet in late April to elect a new chair.

One other note: We blogged in our first draft Monday that Bregman was born in New York and that he represented ex-NM Treasurer Michale Montoya. He was born in D.C. and he did not represent Montoya.

ON TO SOMETHING?
Skandera & Guv (AP)
Some may think it's like a Scarlet letter, but Gov. Martinez and Public Education Secretary Hanna Skandera may be on to something with their plan to hand out individual grades--ranging from A to F--for the state's public schools. If a community (especially parents) has been lackadaisical about their local school's performance, they might take a second look if that school was stamped with a "D" or "F." Also, the parents from these schools would be of a mind to demand extra attention from the state to get the grade up.

Supporters of the grading system say it also addresses a culture of apathy about education that has taken hold among some parents and has translated into generational failure.

Governor Richardson faced a similar dilemma with the state's chronic DWI problem. His heavy and continuous advertising and education program is credited with finally putting a substantial dent in the state's drunk driving rate. He made it uncool and used a bit of fear to improve the state's rankings. The hope is that if the school grades are handed out with impartiality, heavily publicized and followed up with intervention, they could get more New Mexicans concerned and involved in the fight to improve the public schools. As Richardson showed with his DWI crusade, changing attitudes is half the battle.

EGOLF'S CHAIR

Readers write to point out that the House energy committee, newly chaired by Santa Fe Dem State Rep. Brian Egolf who has opposed oil and gas interests, is evenly split among Dems and R's so his power may be diminished. But others point out that an even split also means the R's are not going to be able to advance an energy agenda--including deregulation--without spirited opposition. It will be interesting to see what, if any, legislation come out of this panel this session
.

Meanwhile, if the oil crowd thought Egolf might cool it for a while. Forget about it. He comes with this:


Egolf introduced a bill that would reduce the gross receipts tax for all New Mexico businesses and residents by ¼ percent. The reduction in the gross receipts tax would be paid for by eliminating tax loopholes and subsidies for oil, gas and other extractive industries.


"At a time when legislators and the governor are looking at taxes and demanding accountability, we need to closely examine whether the $200-400 million annual subsidy to extractive industries creates jobs.
" Egolf said.

Looks like Speaker Lujan found his needle to place in the side of Susana when he made Egolf a chairman.


And that needle drew blood Monday when Republican members of the energy committee walked out of a hearing Egolf called over oil and gas regulations. The R's grumbled that one of the "expert" witnesses wasn't an expert at all, so they took their marbles and went home, or maybe over to the Rio Chama for a couple of belts of 30 year old Johnnie Walker.


The public has little patience for stunts. If Egolf's panel is biased, get your own panel going for rebuttal.

The R ringleader on this one--Rep. Don Bratton--played it wrong. But then this is the gang that couldn't shoot straight when trying to put together a coalition with conservative Dems, even though they nearly took control of the House last November. Did someone say "Keystone Cops?"


ELECTION DAY

Want to vote in today's ABQ school board election? Info is here.


HI FROM BILL

Big Bill updates his activities in this email to friends:

Friends, Colleagues, and Supporters,

Thank you for your continued support as I make the transition into private life. I am pleased to announce that I am in the process of setting up a new office in Santa Fe. I wanted to take a moment to share my new contact information with each of you.

Office of Governor Bill Richardson
Phone: (505) 988-7140
Fax: (505) 988-7094
Email: Governor.Richardson@gmail.com

In the coming weeks we will be launching www.billrichardson.com. Until then, I continue to be available online at www.facebook.com/GovernorRichardson and via Twitter at GovRichardson.

Bill is also working to line up speaking engagements with a starting fee of around $25,000. But if you hang out at the La Fonda lobby in Santa Fe you can probably talk to him for free. (Does he still hold out hopes for a gig with Obama?)

END OF THE TRACK

Governor Martinez appears to have put the final nail in the coffin of a proposed casino at Anthony, NM in Dona Ana County. "I don't support it," she said. Jemez Pueblo has been fighting to bring a casino to the small town since 2004. They partnered with Big Bill business friend Gerald Peters to push it, but an Indian casino needs both federal and state approval. Without the Guv's signature the casino can't go forward. That is welcome news to Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino which has long opposed the project, saying it would harm its business and state horse racing.

JAY'S JOB

A reader, reacting to Monday's blog, writes in saying those in the Santa Fe set comparing Susana political consultant Jay McCleskey to Butch Maki, a lobbyist who was close to former Governor Richardson, have got it wrong:

As you’ll see from Maki’s website, his business is built entirely on his ability to assist clients with government, whether through lobbying, or “consulting clients” by providing government relations assistance navigating government agencies and procedures...

McCleskey's firm will not be registered lobbyists or take government contracts and says it plans to be primarily a political consulting firm.

TIMELY APPOINTMENT

News comes that NM Dem US Senator Tom Udall will serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He's just in time to try his hand at helping solve the Mid-East imbroglio. Good luck with that.

POWELL PERSPECTIVE

The new boss at the state land office is the old boss--Democrat Ray Powell. He's profiled in this AP piece in which he says he will let the sun shine in on office operations. Okay, but were still going to miss ex-GOP land boss Pat Lyons who made more news than Charlie Sheen.

TURNER'S TUNE

That $25,000 contribution made to Governor Martinez's inaugural committee by high profile ABQ lawyer Turner Branch caught the attention of KKOB-AM radio show host Bob Clark. He emails this zinger:

Turner Branch makes a max donation of $25,000 to Governor Martinez for the inaugural?? Interesting considering he supported Allen Weh in the GOP Governor Primary and then crossed over and very publicly supported Dem Guv nominee Diane Denish in the November election.

I guess he knows how to kiss and make up!


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