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Thursday, November 15, 2018

ABQ GOP Senators: Could They Suffer Same Fate As Their House Counterparts? Plus: Jennings Back To Roundhouse? And: The New Doctor In The House  

Was the 2018 Blue Tsunami in Big Bernalillo County a warning for the ABQ area GOP state senators in 2020 when they will be up for re-election? Caution argues that Senators Mark Moores, Sander Rue, Candace Gould and  Bill Payne treat it that way.

After the Election Night rubble was cleared away observers were startled to see that BernCo now has only one GOP state representatives in its delegation. Could the same happen to the R Senators in '20 with an energized Dem Party and Trump seeking re-election? And if so, what can they do to get ahead of the curve?

A discussion with GOP consultants led to a couple of tips for these possibly at risk lawmakers:

--Vote for the proposed constitutional amendment that would tap a portion of the state's $18 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund for early childhood education. The amendment would be sent to the voters for their approval so the senators could argue that they are not voting for the amendment at the ballot box but that the people have the right to make the final decision. That could reduce the risk considerably, if the blue wave starts rolling again.

--Another safe vote the GOP advisers said the four could make is to increase teacher pay. The argument being that a pay increase is not going to generate much emotion but votes against an increase could get the Dem juices flowing in the ABQ area districts.

It will be interesting indeed to watch the votes of the "BernCo GOP Four" in the 60 day session that kicks off in January.

A JENNINGS RETURN?

While in Santa Fe last weekend speaking to Journey Santa Fe talk was in the air of a possible return to the Roundhouse of former longtime Dem Roswell State Senator Tim Jennings. This time it would be as the Governor' s liaison with the Senate. That drew mixed reviews.

Jennings, defeated by the Gov. Martinez political machine in 2012, is an old Senate hand who might be able to smooth relations between the Fourth Floor and conservative Dems. On the other hand he could be perceived as outdated and distrusted because he is an original member of the conservative coalition that so displeases many House Democrats who have newfound muscle. They may want the Governor to turn the page on Jennings and start a new chapter since voters empowered so many new faces.

WHO'S THE CHIEF?

At the Dem caucus there was scuttlebutt about the as of yet unknown individual many of the lawmakers will be dealing with most in the executive branch--the new Governor's chief of staff.

We've previously blogged that Lawrence Rael, a longtime ABQ City Hall administrator and a former member of Senator Bingaman's staff, is one name being mentioned. But there are others, including James Jimenez who headed the Department of Finance under Gov. Richardson and also served as his Chief of Staff. ABQ Dem State Rep. Deborah Armstrong, a BFF of MLG's, is not under consideration for the position, according to legislative insiders. But another woman could surface as a favorite.

THE DOCTOR IS IN

Bill Pratt
State House members attending their recent post-election caucus were extra curious about one of their newest members--82 year old retired physician Bill Pratt. We get this from one of them:

He came to the meeting with a walker because he has nerve damage but he is not in pain and is really as sharp as a tack. He obviously enjoyed being there.

Pratt upset Republican Bob Godshall in a traditionally Republican House district in the ABQ NE Heights. Will he be up for running for re-election in 2020 and if so can he win again? No one is going to count him out this time.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018
 
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