Oops! Ben Ray Backs Off Backing School Board Contender; Stansbury Also Playing In Down Ballot Races; "First Endorser" Heinrich Explains Why, And: Following Late Money In ABQ Mayoral race

This is the election where freshman US Senator Ben Ray Lujan received first-hand experience in the danger of endorsing down ballot races. Lujan Monday was forced to withdraw his endorsement of ABQ Public Schools District 5 candidate Crystal Tapia-Romero after learning the hopeful for the westside seat is not a Dem (she is an independent) and is actually financially backed by conservative leaning business groups: 

I know Mrs. Tapia-Romero to be involved in her community & she is a good person. After further review, I have determined that our views on the best policies to serve our schools & students are far apart & philosophically different. For this reason I have withdrawn my endorsement. 

A bit embarrassing there but then it used to be custom for US Senators to endorse only in high profile races which kept them from making blunders like this one and also prevented them from making enemies of candidates they did not endorse. 

More on the biz backing for board contenders: 

Candidates Courtney Jackson for District 7, Crystal Tapia-Romero for District 5 and Danielle Gonzales for District 3 are among the top earners for the reporting period, which covers funds raised from Dec. 6, 2019, to Oct. 12. All three are among a slate of candidates supported by the New Mexico chapter of NAIOP’s political action committee and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. 

DC newcomer ABQ Dem Rep. Melanie Stansbury also could not resist the urge to endorse school board contenders. In that District 5 race she got it right for her liberal base, giving the nod to family nurse practitioner Uche Ohiri who previously practiced law in Nigeria. Emma Jones is the third candidate in the race. Stansbury's other endorsements include Jinx Baskerville for  District 3; Josefina Dominguez in District 6 and Julie Brenning in District 7.

THE FIRST ENDORSER

 Dem Senator Martin Heinrich, who endorses in so many political races we've bestowed him with the grand title of "First Endorser," is wearing his new title proudly and even using it to raise campaign money. Take a look  

Over the years I’ve realized that leadership requires risk — even when I’m not on the ticket. Don’t get me wrong, my own Senate elections are important. But it’s equally important to elect even more folks across the state whose hearts and actions are rooted in what’s best for New Mexico. That’s why I make my endorsements in races. . . early. Some folks joke I’m the state’s “first endorser” — but I don’t weigh in at the start of a race just for the sake of being first. I endorse early because getting strong candidates the resources and support they need makes a real difference in the outcome of a race. The results speak for themselves. I endorsed 15 primary candidates across New Mexico in the 2020 elections, including four challengers, three open seats, and eight incumbents. All 15 of those candidates won their races. Then, I endorsed 55 candidates in the general election — with 42 claiming victory.

Well, that's a pretty good record for the First Endorser. Next time we go to Vegas we'll have to invite him to help us out at the sports book. As for Ben Ray, maybe he can get the show tickets.

FOLLOWING THE MONEY 

The latest ABQ mayor campaign finance reports cover just a week but big money went out the door for media buys for both Mayor Keller and Sheriff Manny Gonzales. Gonzales spent about $89,000 for TV ads and Keller about $92,000. So while polls show Keller with a large lead in the final days Gonzales is matching him on the tube. Candidate Eddy Aragon says he bought $16,000 in TV spots just after the deadline for the recent reports. 

Developers are traditional givers in ABQ mayoral races and this year is no different: 

Half of the money flowing into a political action committee (PAC) supporting Gonzales comes from development interests. And a quarter of the more than $500,000 he has personally raised. . . comes from that industry. . . Daskalos, a family of developers (have) funneled at least $27,000 into the race. . . And Peterson Properties. . . at least $10,000. Ben Spencer of Titan Development. . . gave $10,000. A look at an independent committee supporting (Mayor Keller) shows about 15% of the support coming from real estate and land development, including James Long and the Garcia automotive family who’ve invested heavily in property downtown. . . About 10% of the funds supporting (Republican) Eddy Aragon came from the industry. 

THE BOTTOM LINES

We discussed the ABQ and Santa Fe mayoral races with Richard Eeds of KTRC radio. That discussion is here. 

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021