Hard To Let Go: State Senator Weighs Keeping His Senate Seat While Working For Colorado University, Plus: Geno Zamora, La Politica Blast From The Past, Back In The Game; Heinrich Endorses His Santa Fe Council Bid, And: What's Up, Doc?

Sen. Shendo

Sometimes it's hard to let go. Take the case of state Senator Benny Shendo. He's just been named the associate vice chancellor for Native American affairs at the University of Colorado Boulder but says he's not sure he will give up his seat when he joins the university next March:

. . . Shendo said he was not prepared to say he would not run for re-election in the New Mexico Legislature. “We’re trying to work out the details” of the University of Colorado job, Shendo said, mentioning there was a possibility he could work from his home in New Mexico.

The trouble is the university is already saying Shendo, who is in his third term representing sprawling District 22 that includes portions of Bernalillo, Rio Arriba, McKinley and Sandoval counties, will relinquish the seat once he starts the new job. 

Meanwhile the chatter has already started that the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, which the moderate Shendo chairs, could make a move to the left if he does leave and Vice Chair Carrie Hamblen takes over. Hamblen, a first term senator, is an unabashed progressive who is CEO of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. 

ZAMORA RETURNS

Zamora

New Mexico's First Endorser is at it again. This time Sen. Martin Heinrich is wading into the Nov. 7 Santa Fe elections and giving his blessing to District 1 candidate Geno Zamora. Heinrich said:

 I’ve known and worked with Geno Zamora for years. When he says Santa Fe should be a city where everyone belongs, he means it. Geno’s integrity and experience are unmatched and I am proud to support his candidacy for Santa Fe’s City Council. He will bring a thoughtful, measured, and progressive voice to housing, job creation, and the environment.

Heinrich has known Zamora "for years" because he served as Governor Richardson’s Chief Counsel; General Counsel for the New Mexico Economic Development Department, City Attorney for the City of Santa Fe; General Counsel for the Santa Fe Public Schools; and Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico under Tom Udall. 

With Gov. Richardson

But to old timers of La Poltica he is best remembered as a young thirtysomething seeking the Democratic nomination for attorney general in 2006. 

Now 54, back then Zamora was quickly labeled a promising and rising Democratic star. But he went up against the well-known Gary King for the nomination as well as DA Lem Martinez and came in second. Surprisingly, that was the end of his political ambitions--until now.

(Here's my coverage of the June 2006 primary election night results.)

Three others are seeking the District 1 seat. But Zamora is well-financed, has received a bevy of endorsements in addition to Heinrich's and would seem positioned to take the seat. If he does, will  speculation be revived that his star is again on the rise and that he should take a look at succeeding Mayor Webber in 2025? Well, first things first.

GETTING THE NET

A reader writes of our continuing coverage to encourage state officials to consider all alternatives when extending broadband to underserved areas:

Joe, so the Feds and state are willing to spend lavishly on rural broadband. They have chosen the most expensive technology that takes the longest to deploy. There are alternatives that are both cheaper and faster to deploy. In addition to satellite technology the government has dismissed, the latest trend in home Internet is 5G cellular service, in which a wireless modem in your home gets a broadband signal from a robust network of cell sites. I am seeing increasing numbers of ads for Internet service from cellular providers and the service is gradually coming to New Mexico. The fastest way to extend Internet service to every pueblo and hamlet would be to contract with one or more cell phone companies to extend their networks.

We've talked to a number of people who are now on the Verizon cellular internet service and receiving high speeds. 

WHAT'S UP,  DOC? 

They want us to call the city's new top bureaucrat "Dr."? 

The Albuquerque City Council unanimously confirmed Mayor Tim Keller’s appointment of long-time CNM Vice President, Dr. Samantha Sengel, to serve as the City’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Dr. Sengel will now begin transitioning into the role held by Lawrence Rael, who will be retiring in November. 

It doesn't appear they called her Dr. over at CNM. Someone is getting over their skis on the 11th floor. Heck, the Alligators have already dubbed the new CAO "Sam" for short. Or is that Dr. Sam?

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023