Two down and one to go. That's the count for Ben Ray Lujan Jr. as attorney Carlos Fierro backed out of the hotly contested race for the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) up North. Tuesday was the last day for candidates to withdraw their names from the June 1 primary ballot. Ben Ray, son of powerful House Speaker Ben Lujan, earlier scored when Johnny Montoya, husband of State Rep. Rhonda King, also dashed his bid for the Dem nomination. When I talked to Ben Jr. months ago he said he was going to "sit down" with all the Hispanic candidates in the race and see if "they could agree" on just one of them running.

Whether he, his father or Big Bill has been doing the "sitting down" is not known, but today Ben Ray and former State Sen. Art Rodarte of Espanola are the only two Hispanics left in he race for the 90K a year job. Ex-state Rep. Bob Perls and former Bruce King aide Keith Dotson also remain in the hunt.

Fierro, ex-legislative aide to U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, came back from D.C. with his eyes on launching a political career, but Big Bill's unprecedented public endorsement of Ben Ray put a cramp on Fierro's ability to raise the money to get in the game. Fierro, a Santa Fe native, was spotted at the Guv's office this week. Was there talk there of him getting out and endorsing Ben Ray? That's what Johnny Montoya did. Fierro was playing his hand close to the chest Tuesday telling me he is not "ready to endorse" anyone, but did not rule it out.

Perls and Dotson are hoping that the Lujan's are overplaying their hand and that their aggressive campaign to clear the field of challengers will create resentment and benefit them. But Tuesday was a good day for the junior Lujan. Like Fierro, his base is in Santa Fe County. But the stakes are high for the young hopeful and for his dad and Big Bill too. They are pulling out all the stops and their failure to deliver would be seen as a major political coup. Fierro is just 31 and, if nothing else, he is learning some important lessons in the game of power politics as practiced by those political Ph.D's Big Bill and Big Ben. Perhaps the next time he runs, they will be on his side. Now, that wouldn't surprise you, would it?

MANNY'S MINIONS

More candidate intrigue in the ABQ Valley, this time in the North Valley where Dem State. Sen. Dede Feldman was drawing a primary challenge from Carlos Cordova. But a district court judge kicked Carlos off the ballot because he did not file enough valid petition signatures. Speculation swirled that Cordova was another candidate from the camp of Senate and Valley powerhouse Manny Aragon, who earlier this week was dealt a blow when Sen. Linda Lopez successfully thwarted a primary challenger in court who was widely thought to be a Manny supporter. Feldman, like Manny, is a liberal, but she has not been close to him. With Cordova off the ballot Dede gets a free four year ride, and Linda continues to work her for support for her run for Senate President Pro Tem. No R is running in the sold D district.

Manny is batting 0 for 2 this week, giving rise to speculation that his heart is just not in it anymore; that he is fixated on the presidency of Highlands University and will grab the appointment if and when it is offered.

GOP CURRY'S SOME FAVOR

It's been the most turbulent couple of months in the history of the NM Republican Party, but there was some good news for the R's during the final days of turmoil of Ramsay Gorham's reign. They became the majority party in Curry County in Eastern NM. The latest figures give the GOP a nearly 300 vote edge over the Dem's. That gives the R's a majority of voters in nine of our state's 33 counties. It's the first time in Curry County's 95 year history that the GOP has come out on top there.

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Philip Runnels
They were one of the most prominent Democratic families in southern NM history, but their latest entrant onto the political field has split with tradition and is seeking a seat in the State House as a Republican. "I'm the black sheep of the family," joked Philip Runnels in a conversation from his office in Alamogordo where he presides as general manager over three radio stations.

Philip's dad, Dem Harold Runnels, served as U.S. Congressman form southern NM from 1971-1980. Philip says he got the Republican bug while living in Paris, Texas. He moved to Alamogordo to preside over three of the seven stations of Runnels Broadcasting and is now challenging fellow Republican State Rep. Gloria Vaughn, who is seeking a sixth term in the House.

"I was hoping Gloria would not run again, but she has and I decided to stay in." said the hopeful.

Runnels' mother, Dorothy, ran to replace her husband in Congress when he passed in 1980. She ran as a write-in candidate along with Joe Skeen who ultimately took the seat in one of the most famous elections in state history. "She is still a Democrat, living in Lea County, and at 82, still very active, But my political beliefs do make for interesting discussion when we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner," Runnels remarked.

Runnels' brother Matt, president of the broadcasting business, is still a loyal Democrat and the Chair of the Grant County Democratic Party in Silver City.

As for brother Mike Runnels, who served as NM Light Guv under Gov. Toney Anaya in the 80's, Philip reports he is practicing law in Ruidoso. Mike also served many years as Sandoval County District Attorney. The family sold their oil-related business years ago.

Philip, 55, is a long shot in his bid to oust the popular Vaughn. But the former Navy jet pilot says "she will retire someday," and if he doesn't win this time, there may be another run in the future, but it will still be as a Republican. That probably would not bother his late father all that much. In his heyday the conservative Harold "Mud" Runnels pulled as much support from the GOP as he did from the Dems.

PUSHING THE BEAM

Longtime Dem State Rep. Gail Beam has no Republican foe in her re-election bid, but up until this week she did have a Green Party opponent ready to take her on; that is until the Bernalillo County Clerk's office said Trey Smith was not registered in the ABQ Southeast Heights district at the time the Guv issue the election proclamation as required. But Smith says he has proof showing he was indeed registered there at the time. The clerk still says he's off the ballot, so Smith is headed to district court. The Beam House district is one of the "Greenest" in the state making it important to the party that Smith stay on the ballot. The Smith episode follows disqualification by the Secretary of State of the Green Party's Congressional candidates from their party's primary ballot. That ruling is also headed to the courts.

DEAR JOHN DENDAHL, I AM FINE. HOW ARE YOU?

Remember Kevin Moomaw? He was right-hand man to former NM GOP Chair John Dendahl, until John went left on the drug legalization issue, and Kevin steered his way over to Texas. Before their parting of the ways, Moomaw and Dendahl made major strides in electing Republicans here. Now, Moomaw is plotting strategy for Texas Lieutenant Guv David Dewhurst. Apparently the former executive director of the NM GOP is getting the job done. Capitol Inside, a leading political newsletter in the Lonestar State, ranks Moomaw #2 on its list of best GOP Texas political consultants. Moomaw still keeps up with NM politics and remains a behind-the-scenes player. Meanwhile, retired marine colonel Alan Weh, the apparent new chair-to-be for the state GOP arrives back in ABQ from Iraq today where he served as chief of staff for the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team.

HESS YNTEMA---PAID POLITICAL

We welcome paid advertising from NM's political candidates, and when they come aboard, we give them space to tell us about themselves. Hess Yntema is a GOP candidate for the Public Regulation Commission. Here is his pitch to his fellow R's as he seeks the nomination to fill the ABQ seat being vacated by Herb Hughes.

“My experience at City Hall and as an attorney has taught me that independent skepticism is usually the best approach to matters in which taxpayer or ratepayer funds or public safety are at issue. Often, detailed investigation will disclose key facts that are not apparent at first glance. On the PRC, I intend to exercise thorough, independent and where appropriate skeptical oversight over the public utilities, telecommunications companies and insurance companies which are regulated by the Commission. When environmental issues are implicated in a regulatory decision, conservation of public resources should be an important consideration.

For more on the Yntema candidacy click on his ad. And for details on how you or your candidate can get before New Mexico's most likely voters, give me a call at 505-243-4059 or email me at jmonahan@ix.netcom.com. There's a link at the top right of this page.

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Lopez
Who is Al Armijo? That question was left unanswered in the media reports on Armijo's failure to keep his candidacy alive against ABQ Dem Valley State Sen. Linda Lopez. Not only did the mysterious Armijo not turn up at the court hearing resulting from Lopez's challenge, he failed to turn in enough petition signatures and the address he gave turned out to be a piece of vacant land!

Obviously, Al failed alligator school. According to my Valley watchers, Armijo is a former employee of the state senate and an acolyte of none other than Senator Majority Leader Many Aragon. Manny has no love for Linda since she was responsible for getting him ousted from his pro-tem post. But Linda's alligators did a better job than Manny's as she is now without primary opposition. Tom Benavidez, who she beat eight years ago, is back as a Republican and she'll face him in November. Was the Armijo candidacy a Manny operation, as my sources report? If so, it was a bungled job. Come on Manny, you're getting sloppy on us.

OFF THEY GO

The NE Heights of ABQ can never match the Valley for raw political power plays, but the intrigue surrounding the GOP Heights race pitting former State Rep. Rob Burpo against current Rep. Larry Larranaga and, until now, Patrick Milligan, comes close. Milligan, a Burpo foe, told me he was joining the race to split the anti-Larry vote with Burpo to insure Larry's re-elect. Then, a couple of years later when Larranaga retired, Milligan would be positioned to take the seat. But now Milligan has had a change of heart and apparently feels its best for him to stay off the ballot to help Larry, so he has quit the race. Patrick, give Manny a call. He could use your talents in the Valley.

Tuesday is the last day for candidates to withdraw their names from the June 1 primary ballot, but some of them are falling off ahead of time. In Roswell it's a free primary ride for State Rep. Pauline Ponce with her opponent thrown off the ballot. Over in Santa Rosa, Rep. Jose Campos was gearing up for a primary battle, but the Dem challenging him is now out. TV news reporter Janet Blair will be the Dem nominee in the race against incumbent GOP Rep Eric Youngberg in Sandoval County. Thomas Nordstrand has dropped out.

RAMSAY OUT

It's over. That's the word on Ramsay Gorham's senate bid. She announced her resignation as state party chair last week and threw the towel in on her ABQ North Valley senate seat as well, but rumors persisted that she might renew the fight. Not to be, according to high GOP sources. That leaves John Ryan as the sole GOP contender for the Gorham seat, which will be contested heavily by the Dems.

PETE & MICKEY

R's were circulating rumors last week that Mickey Barnett, leader of the brain trust of the Dendahl wing of the strife-torn GOP, might pick up the backing of Senator Pete in his race for another four year term as NM Republican National Committeeman at the June state convention. But Pete's camp is striking that talk down saying he will stay neutral in the Barnett-George Buffett contest.

HIS WEH

Alan Weh, the apparent new State GOP chair-to-be ( see my EXCLUSIVE April 2 report) is already drawing some questions from battle-scarred Republicans. Will he be too close to the Congressional delegation and concentrate on their races and the Prez's re-election bid at the expense of state legislative candidates? And, would Weh be a chair who would stand up against Big Bill as Ramsay did when she went against the Guv's constitutional amendment to get more money for education from the State Permanent Fund? Remember, Pete backed Big Bill. And my first and last bad pun on this: We are sure Weh (pronounced Way) will weigh in soon. Happy Monday.

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Developments have been fast and furious as state Republicans pick up the pieces left by the abrupt resignation of GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham. Sources in Washington and New Mexico confirm to "NM Politics with Joe Monahan," that businessman and retired marine colonel Alan Weh is the consensus pick of the three Republican Congressional delegates and that Weh has the inside track to become party chair at a special GOP meeting set for ABQ Convention Center April 17th.

My Washington source told me; "The delegation is solidly behind Weh. Ken Zangara and Walter Bradley (two other possible contenders) have thrown their support to Weh and his support will become evident in coming days."

The Weh pick has the White House stamp of approval all over it. Weh is president and chief executive officer of CSI Aviation Services Inc. in Albuquerque, an aircraft charter and leasing service. Weh is currently in Iraq. In 2002 He was appointed national chairman of the Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. After receiving his bachelor's degree in 1966 at the University of New Mexico, Weh received his Marine Corps commission. He received the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with "V" for heroism, and three Purple Hearts during his service in Vietnam. "He can be expected to work well with the White House political operation and the Republican National Committee," said a New Mexico insider.

Weh is not associated with either of the warring factions that have ripped the state GOP apart in the past year. "His agenda will be the President's re-election. The Congressional delegation (Sen. Domenici and Rep's Pearce and Wilson) saw the party imploding, felt the pressure from the White House and came up with Weh," said another player in the game.

Weh is a longtime behind-the-scenes player in state GOP circles. His military background might come in handy with party factions that have been reluctant to take orders from anyone. "This is about New Mexico's five electoral votes and clearing the decks before the presidential campaign really gets intense. That's why you are seeing a quick move to a compromise candidate. I don't see Weh really aligned with either (former state chair) Dendahl or Gorham. He will take his orders from the national guys," said another Washington insider."

Weh has been in Iraq the past several months and has not seen the hand-to-hand combat that has taken place here, but he will see the resulting wreckage when he takes over the party's reins and attempts to institute a peace treaty and move the R's forward in the critical months ahead.

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Zangara
On Christmas Eve 2000 President-elect Bush made a call to Ken Zangara and asked him to serve on an advisory committee for his presidential transition. Now, politicos wonder, is Ken's phone ringing again?

Zangara, Bush NM campaign finance director, Bernalillo County GOP Chair and known best to New Mexicans as the ebullient TV pitchman for his ABQ Dodge dealership, emerged Thursday as the front-runner to become the next chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party.

A tip-off to Zangara's new status came in an e-mail from former state chair John Lattauzio who told me: "I think Ken Zangara should take the Chair. He has respect and resources." Lattauzio of Alamogordo has close ties to GOP brothers Manuel and Edward Lujan, who in turn have close ties to the Bushes.

"I think it's is if he wants it and has the time for it." said one insider. "His ties to the President are key. The Bush campaign can't afford the infighting to continue. Zangara would have the President's confidence. There are no other candidates with those credentials."

However, sources in Washington were also floating the name of retired marine colonel Alan Weh as a possible Gorham replacement. Weh, a longtime behind-the scenes player, "has the support of the Congressional delegation and I think you may see him surface as a contender next week," said one D.C. insider. Weh is president and chief executive officer of CSI Aviation Services Inc. in Albuquerque, an aircraft charter and leasing service. Weh is currently in Iraq. In 2002 He was appointed national chairman of the Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. After receiving his bachelor's degree in 1966 at the University of New Mexico, Weh received his Marine Corps commission. He received the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with "V" for heroism, and three Purple Hearts during his service in Vietnam.

Zangara, 51, was a major ally of Gorham, but could not save her from the long knives used on her by supporters of ex-chair John Dendahl. But if the word goes out from the White House that Zangara is the man it's hard to see how the infighting, at least publicly, could continue. Whether Zangara has the political acumen and force of personality to fend off Dendahl, GOP National Committeeman Barnett and State. Sen. Adair is an unknown, but Zangara supporters are hoping he won't have to, that the White House will issue the order and that the fight, for now, is finished.

Zangara has raised more money for the two Bush Prez campaigns than any other New Mexican. He and his wife, Kathy, have spent social time with the First Couple at their ranch in Crawford, Texas. And Zangara has never paused in his loyalty to Bush. His latest quote: "There's no doubt he is facing a long, hard battle in the upcoming election, but he's the man to lead this country."

Zangara's friends say he can call a halt, or at least negotiate a truce, to the intra-party war. They say he has demonstrated ability to work with a diversity of groups. He's on the board of the Robert O. Anderson School of Management at UNM, the board of the "Faith Comes By Hearing Foundation," a Christian group devoted to spreading the bible in poor countries, and served on the Bernallio County unification commission last year.

"He is not a policy guy," remarked a politico who has worked with him. "He has good people instincts, but if he becomes chair I see him doing the PR and money, not the day-to-day grunt work." Another veteran Republican chimed in: "Ken has the profile for the job. He has the personal wealth, a wife who travels easily in the political world and, most important, the ear of the President."

Zangara, like anyone else, has a bit of baggage. He pleaded no contest in 1992 to misdemeanor charges of fraud, embezzlement and concealing a crime in connection with a retirement fund for auto dealership workers. He agreed to pay $73,000 in restitution to 80 employees and was sentenced to 400 hours' community service and three years' probation.

But for Republicans looking for a way out of their mess that seems to be of little concern. "This guy has paid his dues in the party. If there's anything we need right now it's a good salesman and negotiator. You don't sell cars without those skills," said one GOP graybeard. And, we might add, you don't get votes without them either.

LOVE LETTER FOR RAMSAY
John Ryan
Two Republican state senators will circulate a letter today urging Republicans to persuade former chair Ramsay to get back in the race for her ABQ North valley state senate seat. State Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle and Sandoval County Senator Steve Komadina are spearheading the drive to revive Gorham's political career. She said she was quitting the senate as well as the chairmanship when she resigned this week, but she has to file a letter of withdrawal with the Secretary of State by Tuesday to make it official.

If Ramsay is talked into staying, the question arises whether former Dendahl GOP executive director John Ryan will get out of the race. Ryan and the Dendahlites called for Gorham to quit because they said it was against the rules for a state chair to be in a contested primary. Ryan had said before getting in the primary that he would withdraw if Gorham quit the chairmanship. Well, she has. Will Ryan make good on his word if Gorham rejoins the senate battle? Stay tuned.

LET'S WRAP IT UP TONIGHT ON TV

What a wild week in the GOP, and deserving of some final analysis. We will do that tonight on KNME-TV with Kate Nelson, managing editor of the ABQ Tribune and hostess of "In Focus" which airs at 8:30 p.m. I want to thank all of you who helped this week, all my incredibly informed sources, media that credited our web site for the stories we broke and my new advertisers who I will have more to say about next week. It's been an exhilarating experience covering it all, and I want you to know your support of our work is deeply appreciated. Have a great weekend and we'll see you back here Monday.

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The crisis in the New Mexico Republican Party reached the breaking point Wednesday, leaving all to wonder who will pick up the pieces. The sudden resignation of Chair Ramsay Gorham after a ten month political melodrama that pitted her against the forces of John Dendahl, the chairman she ousted just last year, served only to heighten concerns that the party was hopelessly divided and, as a result, President Bush could be robbed of the state's precious five electoral votes in the coming election. I have the complete story with exclusive details from the very top sources in New Mexico.

GOODBYE RAMSAY, HELLO WHO?

As soon as Ramsay hit the exits speculation bordering on the ferocious began on who would succeed her. The names that bubbled to the top included former Light Guv Walter Bradley, Bernalillo County GOP Chair Ken Zangara, Ex-GOP Congressman Bill Redmond, real estate developer Tom Tinnin, Roswell oilman Mark Murphy and political fireman and longtime Domenici aide Lou Gallegos. Anyone who gets the top job will ask this question: "Will I be the next target, or will the impending presidential election deter any further coup attempts? One man who will not be seeking to regain the party chair is John Dendahl. In an e-mail to "NM Politics With Joe Monahan" he wrote:" She (Gorham) has acted courageously and in the best interest of the party. I am not the appropriate successor."

But that gracious response masked the no-holds-barred political warfare that has torn the party asunder and left a leadership vacuum that is unprecedented. "I don't know if anyone can unify this party now," worried one top Republican. "Events have simply spun out of control."

For now, GOP Vice-Chair Bill Humphries will man the gates, but will not seek the top post when the State Central Committee meets later this month to name the successor. State Executive Director Tom Carroll, fielding a deluge of phone calls from Republicans statewide, emerged briefly to tell me: "We need unity now. The party will continue to function, but we need unity,"

If chaos were unity the GOP would have it in abundance. The utter breakdown in the command structure has the fingers pointing from Raton to Roswell. Why hasn't Senator Domenici prevented this? What about the White House's vaunted political operation? And why could no one deal with Gorham?

DOMENICI: THE GODFATHER GIVES NO ORDERS

Pete Domenici holds a sacred place in the heart of the party faithful, but his inability, indifference or encouragement of the party strife has him taking heavy fire. "Pete had a chance to solve this years ago when Dendahl came out for drug legalization and Pete warned him it could cost him the chairmanship. But Dendahl was allowed to stay," said one embittered R. Another speculator said: "Pete lost control of Ramsay soon after she took over. The first sign was when she fired a fundraiser who was the wife of Pete's campaign manager. The second sign was her fight with the Republican National Committee over who would run the campaign here. He may have felt it best to have her taken out by the Dendahlites, rather than deal with it himself." Another R said: "Pete's staff could not stand Ramsay. He received no encouragement to resolve the differences between the factions, and he didn't."

It was a strange role for Domenici who, for nearly quarter a century, has been looked to for leadership on all key Republican issues in the state. Apparently that era has ended.

THE BLAME GAME

Others took aim at Republican National Committeeman, attorney/lobbyist and Dendahlite ringleader Mickey Barnett. "Mickey is a cancer on the party. Legalized drugs, legalized gambling and the primarying of Republicans; these all came from him and mean the slow but certain destruction of the party," said one Gorham backer in the heat of the moment.

As for Mickey, he was cool as a cucumber when I spoke with him from his ABQ law office. "I want to thank Ramsay and Frank for the countless hours they have devoted to the party," he murmured softly.

But Gorham wasn't sparing either Barnett or Dendahl. As she slammed the door she cited “lobbyists and special interests” as part of her undoing, and mentioning Dendahl by name, she said he and Barnett are "motivated by money," not the good of the party.

Insiders tell me Ramsay made her decision to get out over the weekend She “was worn out and felt the fight would never end,” said a friend who mentioned the call by the Dendahlites for a Central Committee meeting to oust her as the proverbial straw breaking the camel's back.

Those glad to see Gorham gone said she had a stubborn personality, could not work well with others and insulted the President's re-election staff. "Ramsay was clearly in over her head," said a Dendahlite sympathizer.

RAMSAY IN THE SENATE...STILL?

But Ramsay may not be gone completely. Party insiders were telling "NM Politics With Joe Monahan" late last night that Gorham, who announced she would not seek re-election to her state senate seat, should not be counted out completely. "Ramsay has to file a declaration of withdrawal with the Secretary of State. She has not done that yet, and some senators are urging her to stay in the race." If that happened, it would stymie the hopes of former Dendahlite GOP executive director John Ryan who helped force Gorham out when he challenged her right to run for the senate against him and still be party chair. Democrats John Hooker and Vic Raigoza, vying for the senate nomination, are watching it all from the wings. My experts in ABQ North Valley politics peg Gorham an easy re-election winner should she run, but Ryan a probable loser because of his move against Gorham and his past felony conviction for which he was pardoned by Governor Johnson.

CENSURE MOVE AGAINST DENDAHLITES?

Insiders close to the Dendahlites say they may have gotten more than they bargained for when Ramsay announced her resignation. "They wanted her senate seat for sure, but were surprised when she resigned as chair. That forces their hand. It could limit their influence with the new chair because if they make another power play the party rank and file will say enough is enough." Others deep on the inside told me there is talk of censuring Dendahl and State Senator Rod Adair and removing them from the Central Committee for their move against Gorham.

It's important to remember that the hardcore Dendahlite faction is today a relatively small percentage of the state GOP, but makes up with intensity what it lacks in numbers.

This turmoil and rancor takes place against the backdrop of a presidential election in which our five electoral votes could play a critical role. One Republican veteran said it may be time for the Bush White House to step up to the plate. "I think they will weigh heavily getting involved in the chairmanship issue, at least from behind-the-scenes. They must have someone who can keep this thing glued together for the next several months. It's the president who has the most at stake in this battle," commented a Bush backer. Scott Jennings, Bush re-election director here, was not returning phone calls.

MONAHAN'S TAKE

An old politico once told me: "Anytime you are arguing process, and the other side is arguing policy, you are going to lose." The process imbroglio that has engulfed the Republican party puts it on a losing path for November. The Bush White House may believe it can come in and create a unified party out of thin air with giant television buys, but the people on the ground and the party still matter and still make the difference in close races. Right now, the Republican Party is in need of major reconstructive surgery. The problem is there is no doctor in the house. Political surgeons like Colin McMillan, Joe Skeen and Edward and Manuel Lujan are either gone or retired. In years past they operated efficiently and put a damper on factional strife. Who will perform that role for this new generation? There's a patient in the emergency room who is in dire need of an answer.

Make our site one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details.

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