 |
Their May 17 report that former southern NM Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small would be nominated by President Biden as Under Secretary for Rural Development in the Department of Agriculture has now been confirmed. And our early report that BernCo Sheriff Manny Gonzales was going to qualify for $661,000 in public financing for the ABQ mayoral contest, despite skeptical media reports, has also been confirmed. Mayor Tim Keller has also qualified.
First, Torres Small. The 36 year old attorney will now have a chance to broaden her resume while keeping an eye open for future state political opportunities. For 2022 she will be out of the game which is good news for GOP US Rep. Yvette Herrell who already faces the prospect of a tougher re-election if the Legislature redraws her district boundaries to her unliking at a special session later this year.
For Gonzales qualifying for public financing was a coup. Our insiders previously reported he had to rely on help from California to to get the required 3,779 $5 donations, but he did it and that's the important thing. However, Gonzales is having early problems that are marring his mayoral bid. Let's take a look. . .
Word arrives of the passing of Jean Lujan, widow of former ABQ GOP US Rep. Manuel Lujan.
IN THE BUNKER
Running to your bunker is no way to run for mayor but BernCo Sheriff Manny Gonzales may be making that fundamental error as he battles with the newspaper over his department's hesitancy to promptly release information regarding homicides in the county. This follows Gonzales' years-long refusal to adopt lapel camera videos for sheriffs deputies. He finally acquiesced.
Mayor Keller's APD is also under the microscope when it comes to the record number of homicides being recorded in the city. So far, watchdogs say they appear to be getting an accurate total, but they remain on alert because of the political damage those numbers could deliver.
Gonzales has always had a "we know best' attitude when it comes to his department. But this is a new ballgame for the feisty Sheriff, a Marine veteran who is now oddly shooting himself in the feet. Other misfires:
--The allegation that he violated city campaign finance rules when it comes to gathering required $5 qualifying donations.
--His conspiracy minded comment that he thought it was the Keller campaign that put a flying dildo drone in the air at one of his speeches.
--His hiring of GOP political consultant Jay McCleskey, even though Gonzales is a Democrat.
The early missteps have put pressure on Gonzales to start pitching in the strike zone.
JEAN LUJAN
 |
| Jean Lujan |
Her obituary described her as "sassy, quick-witted, stylish and always ready with a smile." She was all that, and having known her, we would add compassionate with a capital "C."
Jean graduated from Santa Fe High in the 40's where she met her husband. She led an adventurous life, raising five children as the couple navigated the US Congress from 1969-89 and the executive branch from 1989-93 when he served as Secretary of Interior.
Rep. Lujan died at 90 in 2019. Funeral services will be held for Jean Lujan today at 10:00 a.m. at ABQ's Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She was 91. . .
THE BOTTOM LINES
How hot is it? KOAT-TV anchor Shelly Ribando opines: "When temperatures finally return to the 80s, we’re all gonna need parkas."
Stay cool New Mexico. . .
This is the home of New Mexico politics.
Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021