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Monday, December 05, 2022

Same Chairman; Same Problems; Pearce Secures Third Term At Helm Of State's Troubled Minority Party; His Re-election Plus Analysis Of Where NMGOP Goes From Here  

New Mexico Democrats continue to celebrate the fallout from the November 8 election. Their latest happy dance was prompted by the re-election of Steve Pearce as chairman of the state Republican Party despite the GOP suffering severe losses and showing no signs of a turnaround.

After delegates to Saturday's GOP Central Committee meeting gave 55.2 percent of their votes (213) to Pearce and re-elected him to a third wo year term over four challengers that will run through the 2024 cycle, our socials lighted up with beaming Dems chiding the GOP over their decision. For example:

A perfect choice for the Dems.

The only statewide election Pearce can win is one where Democrats and independents don't vote. 

And it wasn't only Dems poking at Pearce. Jeff Glassburner, campaign manager for losing GOP US senate candidate Mark Ronchetti, had this dig: 

What a joke. Pearce has been a disastrous chairman for RPNM.

Las Cruces Dem Senator Joe Cervantes tweeted of Pearce's re-election:

Great news from Las Cruces.

But there was little stomach to take on the 75 year old former congressman and failed US Senate and governor candidate. The GOP is so marginalized now that only minor league contenders offered their names to replace him.

Sarah Jane Allen, a vice chair of the Bernalillo County GOP, received 20.7 percent support (80 votes); attorney Robert Aragon, the favorite of the Susana Martinez faction, managed only 13.2 percent (51); radio talker Eddy Aragon received 10.4 percent (40) and Randy Tahe 0.5 percent (2).

AN HISTORIC ROUT

Monahan analysis
The rout of the Republicans in recent years has been historic. 

The governorship, all statewide executive offices, the entire state supreme court, the entire congressional delegation, a majority of the state House, a majority of the state Senate and the mayoralties of the major cities of ABQ, Santa Fe and Las Cruces are now in the hands of Democrats.

Our state is looking increasingly like a deep blue enclave that offers few options for ambitious Republicans. Celebrating his re-election Pearce could offer little hope for any near term turnaround:

Turning New Mexico red is a marathon, not a sprint, and as we look toward 2024, I am excited about helping our future Republican nominees be successful in their campaigns.

The brand of the national GOP is in ruins and that has seeped into New Mexico but the state has also  seen significant social, economic and demographic changes since the economic recession of 2009 that has contributed to the one party dominance we are experiencing. 

--That recession changed the economic dynamic, making the entrepreneurial and business classes smaller, contributing to stagnant population growth and causing much if the key working age demographic to leave the state. 

--The state became poorer with increased reliance on Medicaid, SNAP benefits and government employment, a winning recipe for Dems but not the GOP--the party of business. 

--The rise of Trump and the politics of racism has put off Hispanics and other minorities who now comprise a robust majority of the state, despite constant predictions that Hispanics are becoming more friendly to the GOP. They aren't here and it has cost the GOP voters across the board in a state that is known for embracing diversity. 

So what's a Republican to do? Well, they're not about to abandon their conservative ideology, as unappealing as it is to most New Mexicans. But picking the brains of thoughtful observers we find a few paths for the GOP to walk in order to rebuild--or at least win an election or two.

First, they need to recruit candidates in the manner of Emerge NM, the successful Democratic women's group that has fielded dozens of winners. That bench has been crucial to their continuing hold on power. The GOP has no bench. 

Second, the old rule that the GOP thrives when Dems overreach has not been repealed. Corruption was the issue that elected the last Republican governor. Can the GOP improve its oversight of the huge amount of federal monies that are flowing into the state post-Covid, not to mention the billions in surplus created by the Permian Basin boom? With no elected officials of significance, it won't be easy. 

Those are nuggets of gold for the GOP to mine but with their ranks decimated and the next generation not hopping aboard, it is Fool's Gold they may continue to find. 

ALSO ELECTED. . .

The GOP Central Committee also elected these officials Saturday:

1st Vice-Chair: Amy Barela; 2nd Vice-Chair: Leticia Munoz-Kaminski;  CD 1 Vice-Chair: Donelle Inventor; CD 2 Vice-Chair: Rebecca Dow;  CD 3 Vice-Chair: Drew Denger;  Secretary: Mari Trujillo Spinelli;Treasurer: Kim Kvamme

THE BOTTOM LINES

From the Guv's office:

Maddy Hadden has been appointed director of communications. She served as deputy director of communications and as acting director of communications. Nora Myers Sackett has been appointed deputy director of communications. She has served as the governor’s press secretary since January 2019. Sackett will remain the media contact for the governor’s office until a press secretary is appointed. . .

And the husband of MLG's cabinet secretary for early childhood has joined the administration:

(MLG) announced the appointment of Scott Groginsky as her education policy advisor. Groginsky will work alongside Children’s Cabinet Director Mariana Padilla and state education department leadership to support MLG's ongoing work to continue improving New Mexico’s. . .public education system. . . 

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2022

 
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