BernCo Commission Makes A First And Names Asian American Kay Bounkeua to Replace Stapleton In State House; Calls Herself "A New Voice" But Redistricting Could Be Challenge, Plus: Political Entertainment As Grants Mayor Goes Off The Rails

Rep. Kay Bounkeua

It's one of the most diverse and progressive of the state's 70 legislative districts and House District 19 in ABQ's SE Heights will be represented on both counts with the appointment of Democrat and community activist Kay Bounkeua as the area's new state representative. 

The Bernalillo County Commission Tuesday appointed Bounkeua to fill out the term of former African-American State Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton who held the seat since 1995 but was forced to resign this month amid a financial scandal. 

The four Democratic commissioners voted for Bounkeua. Republican Commissioner Walt Benson did not attend.

She was nominated by Commissioner Adriann Barboa whose district includes House District 19. Lan Sena, the Asian American ABQ city councilor who represents a Westside district, spoke in support of her appointment. Following the vote the new representative immediately took the oath of office from BernCo Clerk Linda Stover. 

Bounkeua, who was born and raised in ABQ, is the daughter of Lao-Chinese immigrants who she says came here in the 70's from a refugee camp in Thailand. 

She is now deputy director of the NM Wilderness Society but has a long background in advocating for Asians in the district which has the most immigrant residents of any section of the city.  She previously served as Executive Director for the NM Asian Family Center and as the first board chair for Albuquerque’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.

Bounkeua, who has a Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan, was one of ten candidates who sought the appointment, including businessman and Dem Party First CD Vice-Chair David Montoya. 

Bounkeua will fill out Stapleton's term that expires at the end of 2022 and is expected to seek election in her own right beginning with the 2022 June Democratic primary. 

A Dem consultant had this:

She seems a strong candidate and the appointment could give her the edge but expect multiple candidates in the primary. This is a coveted seat that Stapleton held since 1995. Some of those who also sought the commission's appointment can be expected to launch campaigns.

No R's need to apply in the district. It's all D all the time. 

REDISTRICTING LOOMS

There's also political intrigue over what the district will look like following the redistricting of all the legislative seats that will take place at the Legislature later this year.

Some community leaders want the map redrawn to have it include more minorities. They would have the district--much of which is known as the International District--begin at San Mateo and go east dropping the west end of the district. 

The current district goes through the SE Heights up to Wyoming. It also includes Nob Hill and other wealthier Anglo neighborhoods west of San Mateo. The district ends at Girard Blvd near UNM.

Rep. Buonkeua, who lives west of San Mateo which could be dropped from the district under that one plan circulating, told us following her appointment that her first priority as a lawmaker will be to keep the present district intact.

I want to be in on the groundwork of redistricting because I know the nuances and the way the district today truly represents the community and its rich culture. 

Bounkeua, 36, described herself as a "new voice" and her appointment as "an opportunity to kick open the door" at the Roundhouse. Her formal statement is here.

She is married and the mother of a two and half year old daughter. 

BY THE NUMBERS

From the American Immigration Council:

Nearly one in ten New Mexico residents is an immigrant, while one in nine residents is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent. In 2018, 198,522 immigrants (foreign-born individuals) comprised 9 percent of the population. The top countries of origin for immigrants were Mexico (72 percent of immigrants), the Philippines (3 percent), India (2 percent), Germany (1 percent), and Cuba (1 percent). 

THE BOTTOM LINES 

Mayor Hicks

For those looking for some bizarre political entertainment the recent meeting of the Grants, NM City Council comes highly recommended. Grants Mayor Martin "Modey" Hicks comes unglued during a discussion of the city charter and the meeting is abruptly adjourned after only 7 minutes. 

(Yes, Hicks is the same mayor who was fined $5,000 last year for violating the state's public health order.)

Hicks cajoles, bullies and yells as he tries to corral the five member council to his side. The action starts at the 3:30 mark on the replay. Enjoy. . .or something.  

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021