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| Tobiassen |
Tobiassen, a longtime business coach, obviously sees an opening with Wiener's past baggage already becoming a campaign issue.
Winning that nomination next June would set up a likely successful campaign in the November election as this Senate district, the only one in ABQ controlled by the R's, continues to lean R.
Tobiassen, 53, kept her announcement statement generic, not touching on the hot button social issues she and other hopefuls will face in the now three way contest:
As a longtime member of the New Mexico business community, I have seen firsthand the ways in which our state needs fresh ideas, innovation, and a commitment to advocating for the voices of the people. I’m honored to run to represent the values of my constituency and be their voice in Santa Fe. . . We need solutions that require common sense, innovation and hard work to correct.
On her website the mother of two and a native of Clearwater, Florida does take on abortion:
The majority of New Mexicans don’t agree with our extreme abortion laws – the most extreme in the country – which permit a full-term (40 weeks) baby to be aborted at birth. We are often told by people who advocate for this law that “it never happens.” If it never happens, why should it even be an option? I will advocate for laws that align with values and opinions of the majority of New Mexicans, not the extreme left of the Democrat Party.
Her background:
She moved to New Mexico in 2006 to take over the Southwest Region for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where she led the corporate and government sales team from last to first in the global rankings in one year. In 2008, she and her husband Mark founded ActionCOACH, where they provide invaluable insight and leadership to hundreds of New Mexico businesses.
In a first draft we had businessman David Doyle also in the race but a spokesman for him said he has decided not to run.
WOMEN AND SENATE
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| Sen. Diamond |
The female Senate success has been mainly with the D's. Democratic women now have nine Senate seats out of their party's 27.
Republican Crystal Diamond was a new addition in 2021. She and retiring Sen. Gay Kernan are the only two women among the 15 Republicans in the 42 member Senate. Kernan's seat is expected to be filled by Hobbs state Rep. Larry Scott soon, leaving Diamond as the only female GOP senator.
Former GOP Sen. Candace Gould is seeking to return to the chamber from the new District 12 centered in Sandoval County. She was defeated for re-election in 2020 in an increasingly Dem District 10 in the ABQ North Valley. Gould faces a June primary with Sandoval County Commissioner Jay Block.
If Gould were to eventually win the seat, Diamond was re-elected from Elephant Butte and Tobiassen replaced Moores that would make a class of at least three GOP Senate women. "If" being the operative word.
LEAVING SANTA FE
Longtime ABQ Journal capitol reporter Dan Boyd is moving on. He said on Twitter Monday:
Some personal news: After 16 years, today is my last day at the Albuquerque Journal. I’m planning to spend a year abroad with my family and then decide what’s next.
It’s been quite a ride keeping New Mexicans informed on state government and political issues. Thanks for reading!
The Journal has been shedding veteran staff members in recent years as it struggles with a new economic reality.
Boyd's institutional knowledge and ability to let the passions of the day play out without inciting his own will be missed.
Well done, Dan. Hasta luego. . .
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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023