REP. WHITE
A new, young face on the GOP scene may be thrust into the middle of the ongoing battle for the heart and soul of the Grand Old Party. State Rep. Bob White of the Northeast Heights of ABQ is out and out declaring that 24 year old Justine Young is going to run against him in the GOP primary next June and that he is preparing for battle. Justine Young is a former Legislative Finance Committee staffer and currently secretary to lawyer and Republican National Committeeman Mickey Barnett, associate of former GOP Chair Dendahl and a leader of the hard right of the GOP. The obvious take by White is that the young Ms. Young would be a tool of Barnett in the Legislature.

But Justine demurs when asked if she is about to enter the intraparty fray by taking on the 61 year old White. "I'm considering a lot of things, running for political office is one of them," she tells me. But tellingly she would not rule herself out of a race against White, who was elected two years ago to replace retiring GOP Rep. Pauline Gubbels. White, owner of The Print Shop, which does a lot of business from political candidates, says he is ready to take on the forces of Barnett and that "I can outprint them, that's for sure. I will raise the necessary funds and will fight to keep my seat because I have a good voting record. I will take on all comers."

That's fighting language and he better be prepared to fight because Republican sources tell me White's vote FOR Gov. Bill's road tax package in the House Taxation Committee may be the weapon used against him by any primary foe that does surface. White did vote NO on the road tax when it went before the full House. Running opponents against Republicans who were not seen as "conservative" enough was a feature of the Dendahl years and a feature new GOP Chair Gorham vows to do away with. But she does not have full control of the party and what will be, will be. It all seems self-destructive to neutral observers since it is so hard to elect ANY Republican to the Legislature, never mind a "conservative" or "moderate" one, but still the family war goes on.

Ms. Young is a graduate of Brown University and not without some politics in her background. Her father is Democrat Charlie Young, one of the leading healthcare lobbyists in the state. He also was a top aide to former ABQ Mayor Ken Schultz back in the 80's and has since been a fixture on the state political scene. Trying to pin down his daughter on her political plans proved difficult with her telling me: "This is turning into a full-time job for you, isn't it?" Justine, full-time doesn't come close to describing the wonderful world of la politica. It's not a job; it's a life. They don't teach that at school, but you learn fast when you enter the fray. Just ask your dad, or Bob White.

IN DEFENSE OF SENATOR PETE
Reaction was swift and sometimes furious to our report regarding Metro Court Judge Denise Barela-Shepherd and her prospects for a District Court judgeship. (See Story Below) A fan of Sen. Pete's emails in that the "Democratic losers" are "crazy" for saying Pete and Gov. Bill are in cahoots to promote the GOP's Shepherd and must be "smoking funny stuff in their pipes." Here's more: "Do they really think Pete (while negotiating national energy policy) has the time to deal with this level of politics? I sure wish he did, because if he did, they would feel the wrath of the St. Pete they so fear!"

And Republican Seth Heath hammered the Democratic sources who complained to me that Gov. Johnson appointed mostly Republicans to judgeships during his tenure. Emailing from UNM Heath says: "The former Dean of the Law School and former Chair of the judicial selection committee did a presentation for a class of mine that showed Johnson's appointments were dang near 50/50 between the parties. So tell your Dem sources to get their facts straight before making false accusations."

You just did Seth. I welcome comment and reaction to all sides of the stories we report here so keep the e mails coming. There's a link to do so at the top of the page.

THE GUV'S PERMANENT CAMPAIGN

Amanda Cooper is a top political operative for Big Bill and also the daughter of NM Congressman Tom Udall and his wife Jill Cooper. Jill was Director of the NM Cultural Afffairs Dept. back in the 80's. Amanda helped Bill with the constitutional amendment election in September. It narrowly passed. Now the talented politico has been tapped to run a campaign office for the Guv in downtown Santa Fe. A campaign office? Already? Yup. The Santa Fe New Mexican's chief political correspondent, Steve Terrell, has the story for us http://www.sfnewmexican.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=15&ArticleID=35900

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and and visit regularly for updates.

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JUDGE SHEPHERD
What's the deal? That's what some Democratic lawyers are asking in the wake of Republican Bernalillo County Metro Court Judge Denise Barela Shepherd's climb up the judicial ladder, and possibly into a Bernalillo County District Court judge seat. Here's the scoop: The Judicial Nominating Commission sent four names to Governor Bill to fill the vacancy created by retiring Democrat District Judge Susan Conway. But, as is his privilege, he rejected the four with no explanation (Democrats among them) and asked for more names. What he got back on a 13 to 5 vote by the commission was the name of Judge Shepherd. And that's when Democrat attorneys hit the roof.

The lawyers claim the surfacing of the GOP's Barela-Shepherd is part of a political deal between the Guv and GOP Senator Pete Domenici. Said one: "Her husband is a trial lawyer and Republican who served as a State Fair Commissioner under Gov. Johnson and has ties to Pete. Some of us think the move toward Denise is part of a deal Bill cut with Pete to get his support for the constitutional amendment in September."

Quite a hit there and, of course, delivered under the cloak of anonymity. Political tongues have been wagging since Pete and Bill met before the September special election and then announced that Pete was reversing course and supporting the measure to increase distributions from the state permanent fund. It narrowly won voter approval. Bill and Pete were asked point-blank after the meeting if there had been any favors pledged for Pete's turnabout. Both men flatly denied the suggestion.

But not all are buying in. One of the disgruntled attorneys said, "it's our turn. For eight years we were in the desert. Johnson loaded up the judgeships with Republicans. Now we have a Democratic governor and we don't want more of the same. This thing isn't sitting well with a lot of us," he sniped.

The mystery continues over what, if any deal, Pete and Bill carved out. The possible appointment by Bill of Barela-Shepherd is the latest evidence the Pete-Bill deal theorists are offering up. Other theory's include the claim that Bill told Pete he would not get involved in efforts to oust Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

Another reason being offered for Big Bill possibly going with Shepherd, according to a source close to the action: "If Denise is removed from Metro Court, then Republican judge Judy Nakamura, the presiding judge, could lose her razor thin majority of metro judges. That would be a Democrat reason to get rid of one or two Republican Metro Court judges. There is budget money, the court administrator position, management of several projects and all the metro court contracts at stake."

The plot is indeed thick.

Richardson has 30 days to make the judge appointment or decline and leave it to the State Supreme Court. Meanwhile, all this and more will continue to be fodder for the alligators populating the rivers of La Politica.

GOVERNOR GARY 'NOT HAPPY' WITH GOP INFIGHTING
Close associates of former GOP NM Governor Johnson tell "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" he is "not happy" with the recent party infighting and is particularly disturbed by some of the sniper tactics that have been employed. Johnson has not publicly commented on the war raging in the GOP, but our sources say "he has bridges to both sides of the battle, and weighs in quietly with his opinions." Is Johnson's pledge never to seek political office again for real? "It is if his wife Dee has anything to say," quipped one of the former Gov's close friends.

Johnson's friends also tell me he is actively following the fiscal policies of Gov. Bill. "He adds up how much of the surplus that he left has been spent and he says it's already all gone." That sure sounds like someone who is still engaged with the game, even if currently on the bench. We'll keep you posted.

DENNIS AND THE DUKE CITY
NM political junkie Dennis Domrzalski currently spills ink for the NM Biz Weekly, but keeps his political credentials updated and his readers amused on his own web site. We recommend a visit. www.zalski.com For years Dennis was a tough political reporter for the ABQ Trib and these days can be seen opining Sunday morning's on KOB-TV with host Monica Armenta.

As always, thanks for tuning in. Bookmark our site--JOEMONAHANSNNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM--and pass it on to your friends.

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Bradley is coming back. Sources close to the former NM lieutenant governor report he is done licking his wounds from a brutal 2002 campaign for governor and will seek the Republican nomination for the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) seat being vacated by Herb Hughes. The Clovis native was pummelled in his fight for the GOP gubernatorial nomination last year by eventual winner John Sanchez in a race that left the GOP deeply divided. It's a division that continues to this day as we have extensively reported on this site. (see below) Bradley can expect to confront it again in the PRC contest.

One of his main rivals will be State Rep. Joe Thompson who is aligned with the John Dendahl-Mickey Barnett wing of the GOP. Bradley split with them and for good reason. In the closing days of the 02' campaign Sanchez unleashed attack TV on Bradley accusing him of being an ally of Democratic leader Manny Aragon. The charges were widely condemned by Republicans who said they were blatantly untrue and unnecessary. At the time Sanchez was way ahead in the polls. It took a while but Walter made the peace and embraced Sanchez as the Republican Guv nominee, but not warmly, and Sanchez lost to Big Bill in a low-turnout landslide.

Associates of Bradley, who served eight years under Gov. Johnson, say he's ready for it to get rough again. As one of them put it: "Walter has been through trial by fire. He wouldn't be surprised if his own grandmother went negative on him."

Well, if Walter's grandma is still alive I'm sure she would give him some notice. Bradley does not live in the ABQ PRC district but is moving to the district so he will be eligible to run for the job which pays over 90 grand a year. He is currently an assistant land commissioner in Santa Fe under Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons, who, like Bradley, is a former state senator.

Bradley received generally high marks as Light Guv. He balanced out Gov. Gary, who sometimes went over-the-top, and he presided over the senate with professionalism and authority. No doubt he would like to have another stab at the governor's chair, but a win of the PRC job is now essential or he will be labeled a two time loser. Other GOP possibles for the PRC seat are outgoing ABQ City Councilor Hess Yntema and ABQ attorney Ward Camp.

Bookmark our site and visit regularly for updates.

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Industry sources, speaking off the record, have put together the details on Larry Barker's ouster from channel 7 for readers of "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan."

Barker's quarter-century service to 7 apparently meant little when it came time to count the beans, and these days the bean counters are definitely in charge. I am told that 7 management wanted Barker to dramatically increase his on-air contributions. In fact, the sources say, Barker was told he would have to do four pieces a week for the ABC affiliate, including consumer-oriented stories plus his famous "Target 7" spots. Barker and his producer, Charles Wollmann, balked at the prospect saying it would mean a poor quality product.

But 7, facing a slow ratings slide the past couple of years, said it was either their way or the highway. So Larry took the road to channel 13. What about the non-compete clause standard in every reporter contract that says you can't go to work for a competing station for a year? "It was thrown out the window because 7 wanted to end the deal and Barker had a contract in which he could make a case against them," according to a TV business source.

Industry veterans also do not discount the speculation, first reported here, that 7 just might be looking to bank some extra money from the Barker ouster and use it to lure back popular anchorman Nelson Martinez. But rather than unceremoniously dump new anchor Doug Fernandez they would ease Martinez back by having him do the early morning and/or noon news broadcasts. Not a deal Martinez wants, I am told. "7 may wait for Nelson to get a little hungrier, but I think there is still a chance for him coming back, said one TV insider. Martinez is rumored to have been the highest paid TV personality in the ABQ market when he left to pursue acting and music.

As for Barker, he is now ensconced at KRQE-TV with a bunch of former workmates from 7, including Dick Knipfing and Augusta Meyers. And what about Charles Wollmann, Barker's longtime producer? Wollmann has joined a stable of reporters going to work for the Richardson administration. Big Bill is sponsor of the ex-reporter Full Employment Act, and Wollmann took advantage by finding a slot as PR man for the State Investment Council. Wollmann joins 7 alumnus Pahl Shipley, who is doing PR for Governor Bill along with a bunch of other former newsguys.

Bottom line on the Barker ouster: It's all corporate folks. The three big stations are owned by stockholders. In a long ago and far away time they were a bit more insulated from the commercial world. Not anymore.

Remember to bookmark our site JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to your interested friends.

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Westside City Councilor Michael Cadigan will soon find himself on one of the hottest seats in town. Reliable sources tell me Cadigan has the votes wrapped up and will be selected as the Council's president when the new council meets in December.

According to City Hall insiders, speaking on deep background, here is how the deal came down in the contest for the prize between Cadigan and Councilor Eric Griego: "(Miguel) Gomez wanted too much from Eric Griego in exchange for his support. Eric went to Cadigan and cut the deal for vice-chair. Now, Cadigan will win president easily."

But then things get complicated. Cadigan is a supporter of the Planned Growth Strategy (PGS) and a supporter of the Paseo road extension. He will vote with Griego, Gomez, Heinrich and O'Malley on PGS issues, but when it comes to Paseo they will line up against him. Cadigan will be under enormous pressure from his westside constituents to make the presidency a bully pulpit for Paseo because of the recent election defeat of the street bonds. What will he do? A lot of juggling for sure.

Meanwhile, back at his District 5 ranch, foes are already gathering for Cadigan. Paul Pacheco, former head of the Albuquerque police officers union is the latest name being bandied about as a possible 05' Cadigan opponent.

By the way, Democrat Councilor Gomez is telling associates he is seriously looking at a run for the Public Regulation Commission seat held by Jerome Block and up for grabs in 04.'

The Cadigan presidency will also be a minor plus for Mayor Marty. He and Cadigan can plant the flag in the westside together, but they will part ways on almost every other major issue, leaving Chavez without a council majority, and in some cases, there will be six votes to override vetoes. But Eric Griego as president would mean all-out warfare between the mayor and the council, so the Cadigan selection will be good for civil dialogue. You remember that, don't you?
(Check out Trib city hall reporter Ed Asher's take on the final meeting of the old council)www.abqtrib.com/archives/news03/111803_news_council.shtml

ALSO OUT WEST......


KOB-TV's Neil Simon and the station came under fire over the weekend by a group of westsiders protesting the defeat of the Paseo extension. They said that during the campaign the station highlighted the fact that Paseo was not specifically mentioned on the ballot and that some voters were mad because they wanted to vote on it separately. They also criticized the station for running promos on the story. What's wrong with that? Beats me, but the group called for a boycott of Channel 4. Sounds like a classic case of killing the messenger. Besides, I'm pleased anytime any TV station here devotes airtime to an important public affairs issue and gives the crime blotter a rest for the nite.

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Sources inside the GOP tell me that the prospect of longtime Domenici aide Lou Gallegos assuming the post of executive director for the Bush re-election drive in NM may be fizzling. "The idea is still alive, but now there's talk of bringing in an outsider--someone from the Bush circle who doesn't have ties to either (former GOP Chair) Dendahl or (current Chair) Gorham," said one GOP'er close to the battle.

Gorham's chairmanship was flatlining before she woke up and started to fight for a say for the state party in running the Bush re-elect. She felt the Dendahlites were trying to take over. Sources repeat that Dendahl-associated consultant Jay McCleskey will not get the Bush job and assert that alone is a victory for Ramsay. "If she gets one of her own or Gallegos, that would be great, and even if she gets a neutral outside director that would also be a win," spun a Gorham backer.

The Bush NM ED could be named any day now, but sources say Sen. Domenici, tied up with the energy bill has yet to fully focus on it. That's good because this fight is way above the staff level and any compromise needs the elder statesman's full imprimatur, not just that of Republican National Committee operatives and Gorham who have fought tooth and nail.

Meanwhile, juvenile tricks are in full play in the ongoing squabble over Ramsay and the Dendahlites. The chairman of the Cibola County Republican Party released a letter calling for her resignation Monday signed by a dozen and a half fellow county chairmen from across the state. But Tom Carroll, Ex. Director of the State GOP, said his staff reached 12 of the chairmen so far and they disavowed signing the letter sent by Cibola Chair Gary Whittington.

To all you politicos trying to execute coups, we thrive on the action, but could you be just a little craftier?

This is ground zero for coverage of New Mexico politics--Bookmark our site: JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates and send a link to interested friends.

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Industry sources report to "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" that longtime Channel 7 investigative reporter Larry Barker will start this week at CBS affiliate KRQE-TV Channel 13, concluding a quarter century career at 7, where he ruffled the feathers of the high and mighty throughout the New Mexico political world. Just why Barker is leaving is the subject of widespread scuttlebutt. Most observers think it's over money. Here's how one industry veteran put it: "Joe, I think 7 is trying to free up its budget to bring back Nelson Martinez as anchor. The team at 7 has not been the same since his absence and the ratings have been weaker. Martinez though will cost and that means they have to look for extra bucks."

Interesting speculation. But it could be that Barker simply wanted more money or 7 thought he was no longer the ratings pull he once was.

Martinez left 7 a year ago to pursue music and acting. But if the price is right he probably could be lured back. Meanwhile, the ratings race for the 10 p.m news shows in Albuquerque is a dead heat night after night. A veteran of the news wars told me: "It's a night-to night thing on whose going to be number one." KOAT-TV wins at 6 p.m., but their dominance at 10 is a distant memory. KOB-TV and 13 have made this a three way race for the top late-night news spot.

Barker is not a well-liked figure in political circles, and he doesn't want to be. His reports over the years have uncovered a variety of misdeeds, and one time he had a high-ranking government official crawl out of his office and onto a windowsill to avoid the Barker cameras!

So called non-compete clauses, where a reporter cannot go on the air of a competing station in the same TV market for at least a year are still standard industry practice, but sources tell me "that's not a problem" in the Barker case.

So go the TV news wars. Much like our beloved field of politics it is a never ending quest for viewers and votes.

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SENS. FIDEL & ALTAMIRANO
What will you be doing at 80 years of age? If you're State Senator Joe Fidel you're announcing to "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" that contrary to the rumor mill you WILL seek yet another four year term to the Legislature's upper chamber. I know a lot of us will be lucky to be talking when we turn 80, but Fidel, vice-chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, ran me through the paces in a recent interview from his Grants, NM insurance office where he holds court and plots his next moves on the stage of La Politica.

Insiders at the Capitol report Fidel was absent quite a bit during the January session of the Legislature due to illness. That gave rise to rumors that he was finally ready to head for the rocking chair. But Fidel brushed aside the speculation saying he is up to the job and that with the state headed for rocky financial times his voice is needed more than ever. Fidel turned 80 October 14th, the same day he and his wife Dora celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary!

Fidel ran unopposed in 2000 and he may get a free ride in 04'. Patricia Roybal, top dog at the Grants Economic Development Foundation, was floated as a possible Democratic primary opponent for Fidel, but she told me she is NOT running, although a race could be in her future. She has worked on a dozen campaigns in Texas, she said, but her family roots are in Grants.

Fidel is of Lebanese stock and traces his roots to the first Lebanese immigrants who landed in New Mexico over 100 years ago seeking religious freedom and business opportunity. He made his name and his money in the insurance and real estate biz in Grants. His senate District 30 includes portions of Cibola, Soccoro and Valencia Counties and is safe Democratic. He was first elected to the senate in 1972.

Also, I can confirm that the longest serving member of the senate, Sen. Ben Altamirano, (D- Silver City) is also not ready to make way for the young bucks. The chairman of the Finance Committee came to Santa Fe back in 1970 and is 78 years old. Not only is Altamirano running for another four, and will probably face no significant opposition, but he's actively seeking to become Senate Pro Tem to replace outgoing Senator Richard Romero. Fidel and Altamirano join fellow old bull, State Rep. Fred Luna, 72, (also elected in 1970) in announcing re-election plans. Luna was rumored to be ready to get out of the game, but told me earlier (see my October archives) that he is a go in 04'.

The only consolation for the young politicos is that they alsp may have a chance to take their careers where no one has dared tread, but not before Fidel, Altamirano and Luna take one last bite out of a political apple that has nourished them longer than even they must have expected.

Remember to bookmark our site JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to your interested friends.

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Suedeen and John Kelly, two of NM's bright legal lights, are back in the spotlight with Suedeen winning an appointment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in D.C. courtesy of Sen. Bingaman, and John Kelly letting it be known that he is NOT seeking any office in 2004, despite prodding by supporters who still wince over his 2000 defeat at the hands of Rep. Heather Wilson. The Democratic duo hang their shingles at the old line and low-key, but influential Modrall Law Firm. An attorney who has worked with Suedeen opines that she has a mind "like a steel trap." She is one of the nation's leading experts on public utility law with a resume on the subject longer than an Enron indictment. John is a former U.S. Attorney for NM and a friend of Bill's (Clinton, that is). His name popped up as a possible contender for State Senator Romero's seat who, like Kelly before him, is fixated on ousting Wilson in 04.' If you're thinking that Suedeen might be the candidate to give Republican Heather a heartache, join the club. But Suedeen has no political aspirations, so Heather relax, a "steel trap" will not be sprung on you.

Bookmark our site and check for regular updates on NM politics.

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The wild goings-on in the NM Republican Party this past week drew its share of reader comment to our mailbag. From a lawyer and Republican politico we get this acerbic satire on the infighting between the forces of former GOP Chair Dendahl and current Chair Ramsay Gorham: "There is a point at which you should realize you're about to go too far. This fight has been all teeth and no brain, kind of like a pirahna biting a blasting cap."

And these comments from a veteran PR man who caught the big picture going on in the GOP: "The party is in the shape it's in because for eight years it was controlled by a "Republican of convenience," Gary Johnson, who was really a Libertarian, and it didn't build out to party regulars. It became a party of "outside insiders" as the grassroots were left unwatered." But our correspondent ended on an upbeat note saying: "I'm not sure it's all bad because without these upheavals you find everything centered on negativity, instead of enthusiasm and an embracing of possibilities."

That's the first insightful positive spin I've seen put on the GOP battle. And that's why we are here--to flesh it all out. So keep the e mails coming. (There's a link at the top of this page) We don't need your name, just your thoughts.

CANDIDATES WANT YOUR AUTOGRAPH

Heavy coats and brilliant colors aren't the only signs that Fall has arrived in our enchanted land; armies of young folk bearing petition forms are also a sign of the season. Steve Cabiedes of ABQ has run a business collecting signatures for political candidates of all parties for better than a decade. He gives us a briefing on what's happening now as we prepare for the coming election year.

"Many New Mexicans believe candidates get on the ballot by magic or automatically by incumbency, but it takes hard work to fufill the requirements to arrive at their pre-primary convention and/or on the primary election ballot.

Signatures for a particular candidate can only be gathered from voters registered in their own party. Since signatures need to be turned in by February 10th the work is done in the cold of late fall and through the winter.

Petition Requirements for 2004:

DEM0CRAT---- REPUBLICAN

Statewide offices 2956 1883

Congress #1 1209 917
Congress #2 1267 1039
Congress #3 1900 768

PRC #1 723 668
PRC #3 1354 369

Metro & Bern. Co
District Judges 1123 926

*Source: 2004 Candidates Guide (Office of the Secretary of State of NM)

Signatures can be challenged. Smart candidates gather more than required to be sure they have enough valid ones. Also, candidates who must go to a pre-primary convention must get 20% of convention delegates to advance to the primary ballot. If a candidate fails to achieve 20% convention votes, a candidate can submit an additional round of signatures. Theoretically, a Democratic candidate could need close to 6,000 signatures to assure a place on the ballot (7,200 to be safe)."

Thanks Steve.. If you are a candidate or a prospective one and want more info you can call Steve at 505-271-0530

Don't be left out of the loop! Bookmark our site--JOEMONAHANSNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM-- and check for regular updates. Send a link to our site to interested friends and E mail me from the link on this page.

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