Rep. Herrell has teamed up with fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia on a bill that would strip schools of federal money if they mandate the COVID-19 vaccine. . . The legislation says if a person is discriminated against for not being vaccinated or refusing to wear a mask, he or she can seek damages in U.S. District Court. It also says that any school – from elementary through higher education – would not receive federal funding if they require the vaccine as a condition to attend or participate in any academic or extracurricular activity.
The bill has no chance of passage but if it did it would cut funding to UNM and other educational institutions here.
It was just last May that we were blogging of how Herrell, serving her first term, was broadening her appeal while not snubbing the Trumpers:
Herrell has been pitching issues lately that have broad appeal and are her first steps to establish a more independent identity.
Those issues include pausing the federal gas tax, expanding broadband and immigration legislation.
Now Herrell is back on the far right and making her look disconnected from all but a small sliver of the state electorate. But why? A Dem consultant sniped:
Joe, being on the crazy side of things these days raises a lot of money, but Herrell just spit in the eyes of those who will redistrict that seat.
And . . .
Those who can establish themselves as torch-bearers of the Trumpian right can translate any controversy into massive grassroots fundraising hauls. Those who can't must weather the fallout. Doug Heye, a Harvard Institute of Politics fellow and a former senior House GOP leadership aide, called it the "immediate celebrification" of politics.
And raising money Herrell is. The latest FEC report covering the first six months of the year shows Herrell took in $852,000 and had cash on hand of nearly $700,000.
Herrell may raise even more funds from her dalliance with Taylor Greene, a far right conspiracy theorist, but it may cost her important public opinion that could help her keep her district's boundaries safe from the eager pens of Dem House Speaker Brian Egolf and company.
The anti-vaxxers don't have many votes at the Roundhouse but national R's think the Dems are most likely to lose seats in the US House in a low turnout, off year election next year. They believe that will mean Herrell's far right antics will help not hurt her.
The Dems have no candidates on the field yet because the field of play will not be constructed until that critical redistricting session. Then the game will be on.
A NEW WRINKLE?
The deadline for getting the 3,000 is today at 5 p.m. Aragon tells us he is "very confident" that he will make the ballot.
One hurdle that Aragon must jump is the requirement that a voter sign only one mayoral petition. If they have signed more than one their signature is disqualified. The Gonzales camp, also courting Republican votes, is sure to check for any violations.
No matter what happens Aragon has changed the game when it comes to petition collecting, showing that on line is the way to go and pushing aside the traditional in-person method. And he did it in just 15 days, using his radio station to solicit the signatures and firing up Trump Republicans who are his political base. None of his signatures have been rejected as faulty because a city computer program does the screening to make sure the voter is registered and eligible to sign.
Shortly we'll know whether Aragon will become the third candidate in the mayoral race and the lone Republican, joining Dems Tim Keller and Sheriff Manny Gonzales. It could get wild, Gators. Stay tuned.
MORE MONEY RACE
In th money race the outside committee supporting Mayor Keller--Build Back Burque--reports raising about $21,000 in the latest sporting period (July 6-Aug.2) and about $26,000 in cash on hand. The committee has raised about $53,000 in total. That contrasts with the $197,000 raised by Save Our City, the outside committee supporting Manny Gonzales and which reported $121,000 in cash on hand.
Keller has qualified for $661,000 in public financing. Gonzales has tried to but has been denied because of forged signatures in collecting qualifying donations. His appeal to district court is on hold until the NM Supreme Court announces a judge to hear the case and a date is set.
What's the hold up with that, Supremes?
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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021