UPDATE 6:17 pm. State Election Bureau director Bobbi Shearer just called to say that in the District 37 race Ferrary now leads McMillian by one vote, Bobbi Shearer just said. She said they found two more provisional ballots that had one vote for Ferrary and one without a vote in that race. This race still isgoing to recount.
Original post below:
I just spoke with state Election Bureau director Bobbi Shearer who told me that all the absentee and provisional ballots have been counted in the state House race between incumbent Republican Terry McMillan and Democrat Joanne Ferrary ... and it's a tie.
It's been known since election night that the District 37 race was heading for an automatic recount. Unofficial results initially showed Ferrary with a 12-vote lead. But once local election officials started counting absentee and provisional ballots, Ferrary's lead began shrinking.
Shearer said the state will canvass the vote, then the recount will begin.
Another House race might be headed for a recount as well. In the District 23 race in Sandoval County, Republican Paul Pacheco was leading Democrat Marci Blaze by 69 votes according to unofficial returns on election night. That's only 1 vote shy of the number needed for an automatic recount (one tenth of one percent of the total vote.)
Shearer said she was not yet certain about the final count for Sandoval County.
UPDATE: As stated above, the McMillan/Ferrary race number is not final. However if this remains a tie, it would be the first legislative race since Bill Payne, now GOP Senate whip, won his first race by a coin toss in 1996.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
McCleskey on TV
Jay McCleskey, Gov. Susana Martinez's political consultant, wouldn't talk to me last week for my profile of him in The New Mexican. But he did talk to Matt Grubbs on KNME's In Focus, which airs tomorrow night.
On the clip below, he acknowledges this year was a tough one for Republicans in this state. He also talks about how the Albuquerque-area 1st Congressional District -- in which Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham handily defeated Janis Arnold Jones -- has grown more Democratic in the last 10 years. Republican Heather Wilson held the seat for 10 years, but by 2006 (an even worse year for Republicans almost everywhere) Wilson hung on by less than a thousand votes.
According to the KNME press release, on the program tomorrow, McCleskey will discuss "campaign tactics, the changing face of the Legislature, the impact of independent political committees on the election, & what's in store in January."
It airs 7 p.m. on Channel 5.
UPDATE: 11-12-12 9:57 am: I just replaced the teaser with the entire 15-minute interview.
I just realized that the segment on the teaser -- actually a "web extra" isn't on the video above. So I'm restoring the teaser, in which McCleskey talks about CD1 and how rough that district has become for the GOP. (Thanks Matt R!)
On the clip below, he acknowledges this year was a tough one for Republicans in this state. He also talks about how the Albuquerque-area 1st Congressional District -- in which Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham handily defeated Janis Arnold Jones -- has grown more Democratic in the last 10 years. Republican Heather Wilson held the seat for 10 years, but by 2006 (an even worse year for Republicans almost everywhere) Wilson hung on by less than a thousand votes.
According to the KNME press release, on the program tomorrow, McCleskey will discuss "campaign tactics, the changing face of the Legislature, the impact of independent political committees on the election, & what's in store in January."
It airs 7 p.m. on Channel 5.
UPDATE: 11-12-12 9:57 am: I just replaced the teaser with the entire 15-minute interview.
I just realized that the segment on the teaser -- actually a "web extra" isn't on the video above. So I'm restoring the teaser, in which McCleskey talks about CD1 and how rough that district has become for the GOP. (Thanks Matt R!)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Republicans Gain in Senate, But Democrats Gain in House
Roswell area farmer Cliff Pirtle, aided by Gov. Susana Martinez, was successful in defeating Senate President Tim Jennings yesterday. Republicans gained a total of three seats in the state Senate.
But Republicans blew a chance to take control of the House. Democrats actually increased their strength in the House by a net gain of two seats. That'll be three if Republican Rep. Terry McMillan of Las Cruces is defeated. Unofficial results show him 12 votes behind Democrat Joanne Ferrary. There will be an automatic recount in that district.
Apparently Stephanie Garcia Richard's lead held over incumbent Republican Jim Hall of Los Alamos. Unofficial results show her 310 votes ahead of Hall.
Despite their losses in the Senate, Democrats still will hold a healthy 25-17 lead over Republicans in that chamber. And with Jennings gone, chances are the next president pro-tem will be a lot more liberal. Jennings, after all was first elected to the post with the support of all Senate Republicans.
Among the incumbents who were defeated yesterday was Democratic Whip Mary Jane Garcia of Dona Ana. She was the subject of an ethics investigation this year over possible campaign finance violations. She paid a $1,200 fine to the state.
Also appointed Sen. Lisa Curtis, D-Albuquerque, who spent about a quarter of a million dollars, couldn't buy her seat in her heavily GOP district. She lost to Mark Moores, former chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley.
In the House, the only registered independent, Rep. Andy Nunez came in third in his race, losing to Democrat Felipe Archuleta. Nunez was attacked by both Democrats and Republicans, including Gov. Susana Martinez's Reform New Mexico Now PAC, even though Nunez had been allied with the governor on her driver's license bill.
Other incumbents to be defeated were Rep. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock, who lost to Republican Sharon Clahchischilliage (Bad news for reporters who now have to learn how to spell "Clahchischilliage"); Ricky Little, R-Las Cruces, who lost to former Rep. Nate Cote (who lost to Little in 2010); and Rep. Conrad James, R-Albuquerque, who lost to Democrat Elizabeth Thompson.
Most Santa Fe area legislators were unopposed. Longtime Rep. Lucky Varela, D-Santa Fe won 80 percent of the vote against Libertarian Bob Walsh.
There will be some new local lawmakers however. Besides Richard, Democrat Stephen Easley won the seat held for 14 years by Rep. Rhonda King, who didn't seek re-election. And Carl Trujillo of Nambe, who won his primary race and faced no general election opponent, will fill the seat held by retiring House Speaker Ben Lujan.
 |
| Stephanie Garcia Richard |
Apparently Stephanie Garcia Richard's lead held over incumbent Republican Jim Hall of Los Alamos. Unofficial results show her 310 votes ahead of Hall.
Despite their losses in the Senate, Democrats still will hold a healthy 25-17 lead over Republicans in that chamber. And with Jennings gone, chances are the next president pro-tem will be a lot more liberal. Jennings, after all was first elected to the post with the support of all Senate Republicans.
Among the incumbents who were defeated yesterday was Democratic Whip Mary Jane Garcia of Dona Ana. She was the subject of an ethics investigation this year over possible campaign finance violations. She paid a $1,200 fine to the state.
Also appointed Sen. Lisa Curtis, D-Albuquerque, who spent about a quarter of a million dollars, couldn't buy her seat in her heavily GOP district. She lost to Mark Moores, former chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley.
In the House, the only registered independent, Rep. Andy Nunez came in third in his race, losing to Democrat Felipe Archuleta. Nunez was attacked by both Democrats and Republicans, including Gov. Susana Martinez's Reform New Mexico Now PAC, even though Nunez had been allied with the governor on her driver's license bill.
Other incumbents to be defeated were Rep. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock, who lost to Republican Sharon Clahchischilliage (Bad news for reporters who now have to learn how to spell "Clahchischilliage"); Ricky Little, R-Las Cruces, who lost to former Rep. Nate Cote (who lost to Little in 2010); and Rep. Conrad James, R-Albuquerque, who lost to Democrat Elizabeth Thompson.
Most Santa Fe area legislators were unopposed. Longtime Rep. Lucky Varela, D-Santa Fe won 80 percent of the vote against Libertarian Bob Walsh.
There will be some new local lawmakers however. Besides Richard, Democrat Stephen Easley won the seat held for 14 years by Rep. Rhonda King, who didn't seek re-election. And Carl Trujillo of Nambe, who won his primary race and faced no general election opponent, will fill the seat held by retiring House Speaker Ben Lujan.
Monday, November 5, 2012
35,936 Early Voters in Santa Fe County
That's according to Denise Lamb, Santa Fe County's Elections Bureau director. 35,936 is the number of early, in-person voters.In addition, the county has received 5,760 absentee ballots so far. That number will undoubtedly rise, however because nearly 1,100 absentee ballots that were issued have not come back yet.
The number of early voters is slightly behind the total in the last presidential election.
In 2008 the day before the election County Clerk Valerie Espinoza reported 37,383 people had voted early in-person and 15,391 at that point had voted absentee.
Lamb said in the 2008 general election voter turnout in Santa Fe County was 72 percent.
According to the Secretary of State's website, there are 99,511 registered voters in Santa Fe County as of Oct. 31.
ROUNDHOUSE ROUNDUP: The Rehab of Richardson
A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
Nov. 5, 2012
Is this the rehabilitation of Bill Richardson?
Late last week, I found a big surprise in a short email message from the former governor’s office: “Gov. Bill Richardson will be in Miami and Orlando, Florida on Friday, November 2, to take part in early vote rallies for President Obama. He will also appear on network and cable channels this weekend leading up to the Election Day in support of the President’s campaign.”
Ever since early January 2009, when Richardson had to withdraw his nomination as secretary of Commerce because of a grand jury investigation dealing with possible “pay-to-play” campaign contributions and state highway project bond funds, Obama has kept him at arm’s-length.
True, Richardson was invited to a state dinner or two at the White House, but you haven’t seen him as a campaign surrogate for Obama.
As it turned out, neither Richardson nor any of his administration involved in the investigation were indicted in the scandal over the program known as Governor Richardson’s Investment Partnership — though the U.S. attorney noted that decision came from the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., not the Albuquerque office.
Another grand jury investigation into state investments, reportedly begun years ago, also hasn’t produced any indictments.
This new announcement reminded me of a day in May 2009, when Obama spoke in Rio Rancho. It was the first time the president had met with Richardson face to face since the Commerce withdrawal.
Obama began his speech that day by recognizing Richardson, who sat with other state officials near the podium. He called Richardson “a great friend” and “one of the finest governors in the country.” Later, Obama told the crowd, “New Mexico’s been fortunate partly because of some good administration from the New Mexico governor.”
Richardson later told reporters that he’d had a “very brief” one-on-one encounter with Obama before that speech. He said they didn’t talk about the Cabinet nomination.
Beginning in 2009, Richardson’s approval ratings in the state took a nosedive, and many have said that was a huge factor in Lt. Gov. Diane Denish’s loss to Susana Martinez for governor the next year.
It’s not clear when New Mexico Democrats will ask Richardson to campaign for them here.
Our celebrity govs: The Richardson announcement means that we have had three New Mexico governors out on the campaign trail this year. Martinez, in recent weeks, has been a Romney surrogate in swing states such as Colorado and Nevada, which have large Hispanic populations. Former Gov. Gary Johnson has been all over the place in his quixotic quest as the Libertarian Party presidential nominee.
Strummin’ on the old banjo: Maybe it’s because she has been so far behind in all the polls — except for her own — that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Heather Wilson has dared to do something I haven’t seen any other candidate in New Mexico do — run an ad that makes her look fun and a little goofy.
I’m referring, of course, to Wilson’s recent “banjo ad” featuring her two teenage kids, Josh and Caitlin. It shows Wilson playing the banjo and home-movie footage as a child riding a unicycle. From the start of this campaign, Wilson has tried to soften her image. We’ve seen her choke up talking about her childhood in one previous spot. But the banjo commercial is one designed to make you smile.
And the banjo’s not just a prop. In 2007, I revealed in this very column that Wilson played banjo. I learned this from Al Hurricane — the godfather of New Mexico music — who told me that he and Wilson had been at a presentation for students at an Albuquerque middle school, and she joined him on banjo for a song.
Hurricane, a longtime friend of the candidate, has been playing at Wilson rallies in Northern New Mexico in recent days. In Las Vegas, N.M., Wilson got out her banjo and played some tunes with Hurricane. (There's some photos of Heather and Hurricane HERE)
Here's the ad below.
Nov. 5, 2012
Is this the rehabilitation of Bill Richardson?
Late last week, I found a big surprise in a short email message from the former governor’s office: “Gov. Bill Richardson will be in Miami and Orlando, Florida on Friday, November 2, to take part in early vote rallies for President Obama. He will also appear on network and cable channels this weekend leading up to the Election Day in support of the President’s campaign.”
 |
| Richardson speaking at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver |
True, Richardson was invited to a state dinner or two at the White House, but you haven’t seen him as a campaign surrogate for Obama.
As it turned out, neither Richardson nor any of his administration involved in the investigation were indicted in the scandal over the program known as Governor Richardson’s Investment Partnership — though the U.S. attorney noted that decision came from the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., not the Albuquerque office.
Another grand jury investigation into state investments, reportedly begun years ago, also hasn’t produced any indictments.This new announcement reminded me of a day in May 2009, when Obama spoke in Rio Rancho. It was the first time the president had met with Richardson face to face since the Commerce withdrawal.
Obama began his speech that day by recognizing Richardson, who sat with other state officials near the podium. He called Richardson “a great friend” and “one of the finest governors in the country.” Later, Obama told the crowd, “New Mexico’s been fortunate partly because of some good administration from the New Mexico governor.”
Richardson later told reporters that he’d had a “very brief” one-on-one encounter with Obama before that speech. He said they didn’t talk about the Cabinet nomination.
Beginning in 2009, Richardson’s approval ratings in the state took a nosedive, and many have said that was a huge factor in Lt. Gov. Diane Denish’s loss to Susana Martinez for governor the next year.
It’s not clear when New Mexico Democrats will ask Richardson to campaign for them here.
Our celebrity govs: The Richardson announcement means that we have had three New Mexico governors out on the campaign trail this year. Martinez, in recent weeks, has been a Romney surrogate in swing states such as Colorado and Nevada, which have large Hispanic populations. Former Gov. Gary Johnson has been all over the place in his quixotic quest as the Libertarian Party presidential nominee.
Strummin’ on the old banjo: Maybe it’s because she has been so far behind in all the polls — except for her own — that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Heather Wilson has dared to do something I haven’t seen any other candidate in New Mexico do — run an ad that makes her look fun and a little goofy.
I’m referring, of course, to Wilson’s recent “banjo ad” featuring her two teenage kids, Josh and Caitlin. It shows Wilson playing the banjo and home-movie footage as a child riding a unicycle. From the start of this campaign, Wilson has tried to soften her image. We’ve seen her choke up talking about her childhood in one previous spot. But the banjo commercial is one designed to make you smile.
And the banjo’s not just a prop. In 2007, I revealed in this very column that Wilson played banjo. I learned this from Al Hurricane — the godfather of New Mexico music — who told me that he and Wilson had been at a presentation for students at an Albuquerque middle school, and she joined him on banjo for a song.
Hurricane, a longtime friend of the candidate, has been playing at Wilson rallies in Northern New Mexico in recent days. In Las Vegas, N.M., Wilson got out her banjo and played some tunes with Hurricane. (There's some photos of Heather and Hurricane HERE)
Here's the ad below.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
New Bluegrass Supergroup: Hurricane Heather
I first reported that Republican U.S.Senate candidate Heather Wilson played the banjo back in 2007. My source for this crucial information: the godfather of New Mexico music, Al Hurricane.Some folks who weren't around back then have looked at me in disbelief when I've mentioned that. But the Wilson campaign itself redeemed me when they came out with their recent ad showing Wilson plucking away on the old banjo.
And now the campaign has released this photo featuring Wilson jamming with the godfather himself.
Not showing favoritism here. If anyone has a photo of Martin Heinrich playing accordion with Joe West or something, please let me know.
Richardson to Campaign for Obama
Ever since then-Gov. Bill Richardson had to withdraw his nomination as Secretary of Commerce because a grand jury investigation dealing with campaign contributions and a state highway project, President Obama has kept an arm's-length from him.Sure there were one or two invites to a state dinner at the White House, but you haven't seen Richardson as a campaign surrogate for Obama.
Until now.
This just in:
Gov. Bill Richardson will be in Miami and Orlando, Florida on Friday, November 2nd to take part in early vote rallies for President Obama. He will also appear on Network and Cable channels this weekend leading up to the Election Day in support of the President’s campaign.
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