Roswell New Hot Spot For State Dems, Speaker Egolf And Ben Ray Tussle Over Land Grant Committee Future And Merry Christmas, New Mexico

It appears Roswell is the new in spot for New Mexico Democrats.

First, they shoved the conservative bastion into the liberal northern congressional district at the special legislative session this month. Now the Dems say they will hold their '22 March pre-primary convention in Roswell: 

. . . Gearing up for the competitive midterm election year, New Mexico Democrats are expanding their message and outreach. . . That’s why the party is holding its convention in Roswell, a traditionally more conservative area of the state, to drum up support and get voters from every community excited about the inspiring Democratic candidates running for office this year.

Well, good luck. In 2020 Chaves County gave Trump 70 percent of the vote. And the chair of the county party is none other than Claire Chase, a possible name-brand GOP contender for that newly crafted northern congressional seat held by Dem Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez. But if Dems want credit for going into the lion's den, noone is going to argue with them.

OVERREACH?

Did NM House Speaker Brian Egolf overreach when he dissolved the New Mexico Local Government, Land Grants & Cultural Affairs Committee? It was chaired by ABQ Dem Rep. Miguel Garcia, a longtime thorn in Egolf's side who resigned from the committee in a fit of pique. None other than Egolf's fellow high-ranking Dem, US Senator Ben Ray Lujan, thinks it was a step too far to abolish the panel:

I am deeply disappointed by the decision. . . The representation of land grants, acequias, traditional, and rural communities must always be at the forefront of New Mexico public policy. They are a critical part of the heart, soul, and history of our state. . . My father (House Speaker Ben Ray Lujan) created an interim committee to work on these issues when he was Speaker. I was thrilled when Speaker Egolf made it a standing committee, which is why I am so disappointed to see this decision. . . After communicating with Speaker Egolf, I’m encouraged that he’ll be sitting down and meeting with leaders from land grant and acequia communities on how best to move forward.

Soon after that hit the wires, Egolf came with this: 

The importance and contributions of our state's land grants and acequia communities goes back through the history of our state and reflect many of our cherished values and proud traditions. It is important we elevate the needs and visibility of these groups in our state government which was not being accomplished through the Committee in its current form. A final change will be made in the upcoming 30-day legislative session and I as well as House leadership will be meeting with leaders from our land grant and acequia communities prior to any final decision.

The issue is especially thorny for the Anglo Dem Speaker because of the weaker loyalty Hispanic Dems have demonstrated toward the Dems, according to recent polling. We'll surely be hearing more about that in the upcoming election year.

REPLACING RONCHETTI

Weatherman Mark Ronchetti left KRQE-TV in 2020 to run unsuccessfully for the US Senate but after the loss he was welcomed backed by station management who got plenty of grief for the move. Now it appears Ronchetti has worn out his welcome and will not be returning to the CBS affiliate if his 2022 Guv run also fails. 

Forecaster Grant Tosterud, who took Ronchetti's place in 2020 and was unceremoniously bumped out of primetime upon his return, now apparently has the top weather job all to himself. He posted on Facebook

I could not be more excited to finally announce that I am the new Chief Meteorologist at KRQE!. . . Weather is my passion, and I am beyond thrilled to continue forecasting and telling the weather in the most beautiful state in the country. I look forward to continuing my career here in New Mexico.

Okay, Grant, just don't run for mayor or something.

THAT'S A WRAP

That's a wrap for 2021. Blogging will be light the remainder of the year. Thanks for stopping by today and all year long and for making us the state's #1 political website. 

Here's one of our holiday faves for your enjoyment. Kick it, Ronnie. . . 

And Frank, as usual you get the last word. Take us out of here, pal.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, New Mexico!

Reporting from Albuquerque, I am Joe Monahan and. . . 

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2021