Sec. Haaland (Bush, Journal)

It's true. Your blog is at the head of the parade when it comes to monitoring a possible 2026 Guv run by Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland. We're not shying away from that beat either as top state Democrats have been quietly chattering for months over Haaland's intentions. 

That includes a longtime Dem consultant with ties to Haaland who sends along this photo of a smiling Haaland in ABQ signing a public land order putting 4,200 acres of federal land near Placitas off limits to mining. They captioned the pic: "Looking Like A Governor."

Public speculation thus far has centered on Sen. Martin Heinrich who has made it clear that a Guv run could be in the cards, if he is re-elected to a third Senate term this November.

But Heinrich now has his hands full--unexpectedly so--with a name and monied opponent in Nella Domenici who is already attacking him for entertaining thoughts of becoming Governor which would mean not finishing any next term

A solid run by Domenici could spoil Heinrich's daydream. More than that, Haaland, if she does run, could be a lock for the Democratic nomination because of her appeal to Dem progressives and her identity as the first Native woman who would be elected to the governorship.

Senior Alligators (trusted sources) and top Dems don't foresee a Heinrich-Haaland primary, believing that only one of them will be standing at the end of the day.

Soon after the fall election the fog surrounding the '26 Dem Guv chase will begin to break. That's when to expect Haaland to figure prominently. 

As the late great Ernie Mills would opine: "Don't say we didn't tell you."

JAVIER AND MIMI

Sen. Stewart

House Speaker Javier Martinez is supporting all House Dems in their re-election bids as he puts aside any disagreements the progressive leader has with his conservative colleagues. But that doesn't apply to the state Senate. Martinez's personal campaign account gave $5,500 to Dem Senate candidate and progressive Heather Berghmans who is challenging moderate Dem Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto in the June primary. 

Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart appears to be staying out of that testy contest--at least financially. We spot no donations to Berghmans from Stewart's personal campaign or her leadership PAC in the latest campaign reports. 

In 2022 Ivey-Soto, under pressure from Stewart, resigned his rules committee chairmanship amid sex harassment charges dating from 2015 leveled against him by progressive lobbyist Marianna Anaya.

However, another prominent Dem Senator, ABQ's Katy Duhigg who has also tangled with Ivey-Soto, isn't shy about the race. Her campaign donated $5,500 to Berghmans.

In another Dem senate primary featuring a progressive versus a moderate, the name of famed retired newsman Sam Donaldson pops up. He gave $5,500 to Heather Balas, the centrist Democrat facing progressive Cindy Nava in the Rio Rancho/Corrales District 9 race. 

(Senate Prez Stewart gave $2,500 to Nava.) 

Donaldson is a longtime middle of the roader, hanging with moderate Dems like Jeff Apodaca since returning to the state. The broadcaster who aced the White House beat for ABC news lives in ABQ and is now 90. 

ANOTHER SAM

Another well-known Sam--Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman--continues to fight off a primary challenge from fellow Dem and former US Attorney Damon Martinez. The gloves are coming off fast as Martinez tries to put into play the APD-DWI scandal. He gets some help from J.R. Davis, a retired Supervisory Agent with the Department of Homeland Security:

A recent comment by former US Attorney David Iglesias indicates that DA Bregman should have recused himself from the dismissed DWI cases because, when he was a defense attorney, he himself had DWI cases dismissed involving one of the main APD officers currently under investigation. Iglesias did not list these cases. I can. 

On March 22nd, APD Officer Joshua Montano resigned from APD. He is one of the main APD police officers being investigated by the FBI regarding the DWI case dismissals. The US Attorney informed DA Bregman about Officer Montano’s ethical issues on January 2nd. There exist three DWI cases where: 1) Bregman was the defense attorney at the time; 2) all three cases were dismissed; and 3) they all involved APD Officer Joshua Montano. In other words, 100% of the DWI cases that then defense attorney Bregman had with APD Officer Montano were dismissed. 

The DA’s Office has jurisdiction over investigating APD public corruption. Consequently, the DA’s Office should investigate the DWI scandal in partnership with the FBI and US Attorney’s Office when it is determined that there are issues better left to state investigation. However, the dismissed DWI cases and the entire matter now has a cloud over it because of DA Bregman’s direct involvement and that he failed to immediately mention his involvement with APD Officer Montano . 

The DA’s Office should have a grand jury investigation looking into all DWI cases involving Officer Montano that were dismissed. In this situation, however, DA Bregman’s three prior DWI cases will come up. Therefore, Assistant DAs can’t investigate their own boss who is the DA. This is the actual conflict situation that DA Bregman has now shamefully placed our community in by not recusing himself.

Bregman has yet to comment on the alleged conflict. If and when he does, you'll see it here. 

MEDINA REACT 

APD Chief Medina

Some reader reaction to APD Chief Medina's defense of his record on the Thursday blog as well as the announcement that he will leave the job at the end of 2025. Ron Nelson writes:

APD and Medina say “Crime continues to go down, following national trends.” Hint: when you don’t answer calls or apprehend criminals, of course crime goes down. Seriously, anyone in this town who owns a ring camera or video surveillance will dispute this claim. 

Reader Doug Petersen writes:

Reader Kelley writes:

It might be a lot of people’s “perception”but Medina sucks. I was happy he’s announced his departure, but the end of 2025, really?! Wow, I don’t get the huge defense by all for him, makes no sense to me. This city sure doesn’t feel safe or better with him or the mayor. Great reporting (always).

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