Dateline DC: Leading Contender Withdraws From US Attorney Consideration; Xochitl Hearing For Top AG Job Set And Leger Fernandez Brings Home Some Bacon

Vince Ward

Vince Ward was a leading candidate for US Attorney but shortly after we posted a report about that we received this: .

 I recently withdrew my name from consideration because during the application process DOJ and the Government Ethics Office determined that one of my firm's cases (not a criminal case and not a case in NM) presented a conflict. I worked for several weeks to find a solution to the conflict without success. I am disappointed, but confident that the administration and delegation are vetting a diverse pool of candidates who believe the US Attorney's Office is an important tool for combatting violent crime in NM, promoting civil rights, especially with respect to instances of police misconduct, and strengthening the government-to-government relationship with the many sovereign Nations located around our beautiful State. I appreciate everyone who provided support and advice throughout the arduous vetting process, and I am sorry to disappoint them. 

We had earlier blogged that. . . 

An ABQ lawyer with a distinctly liberal pedigree is the leading contender to become the next US attorney for New Mexico, according to senior sources. Vince Ward, 46, a 2001 UNM School of Law grad, would also be the first African-American to hold the important law enforcement position. 

POTOMAC FEVER

Rep. Leger Fernandez

Keeping your blog in DC this Tuesday, word there is that the Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation hearing for former southern Dem Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small will take place Thursday morning. She has been nominated by the president for the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development.

And northern US Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez had no problem scooping up $74 million in "earmarks" for her sprawling district. Earmarks are back on the Hill after a decade long absence. 

The freshman Democratic lawmaker used most of her cash--$67 million--for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project. The cost of the years-long project that aims to bring reliable water service to more of the Navajo Reservation as well as Gallup has risen to $1.7 billion. A portion of the project has been built. Full completion is predicted for 2029. Leger Fernandez also secured $879,000 for broadband for Española. 

She said:

"I look forward to the Senate reaffirming their commitment to community reflected in our appropriations bills.” This year, the Appropriations Committee allowed each Member of Congress to request funding for up to 10 projects in their community for FY2022 and retained decision making authority to choose projects funded.

The other four members of the state's congressional delegation will also benefit from the return of earmarks. Their appropriations have not yet been announced.

THOSE GOVERNMENT JOBS

Uh-oh. More government-funded jobs. The economic diversification crowd is going to fall out of their summer hammocks: 

National engineering firm BlueHalo will invest $60 million in a 200,000-square-foot innovation and manufacturing center for space technology and “directed energy” systems at Kirtland Air Force Base, the company announced. The new facility, expected to open in fall 2022, will be the first industrial tenant to set up shop at a planned 70-acre mixed-use site known as MaxQ, which is currently under development on Kirtland property along the south side of Gibson between Carlisle and Truman.

The salaries are in the $90,000 range. Why would you want to "diversify" away from that?

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021