The New Mexico Observer

11/10/2022

17/02/2022

Jacob Candelaria is said to have negotiated the Trans Panic defense bill into the crime package bill.

03/11/2021

No Keller Coattails:

While Keller was handily re-elected, republicans pummeled democratic candidates in the council races. The ABQ city council, previously enjoying a deep dem majority (6-3), now hangs in the balance with effectively all but one race decided. district 9 is the D vs. R matchup that could define Keller’s second term. Regardless of the outcome of district 9, the city council will be markedly more conservative than it was the past few years and Keller will find it much more difficult to to chart a progressive course.

Here’s the potential new makeup:

District 1: flipped D to R
District 2: D
District 3: moderate D
District 4: R
District 5: flipped D to R
District 6: D
District 7: likely remain D, possibly moderate D
District 8: R
District 9: runoff R vs. D.

26/09/2021

Las cruces sun news opinion piece recounts numerous departures, poor management, and a history of alleged gender discrimination in the Doña Ana County District Attorney’a office. An inside source, with personal knowledge, tells us that it’s an accurate depiction, but just the tip
Of the iceberg.
Earlier this year, an incumbent las cruces judge, and former employee of the office, was party to a lawsuit against Gerald Byers, which settled recently. The details of suit are here : https://www.aclu-nm.org/en/press-releases/aclu-files-lawsuit-against-third-judicial-district-attorneys-office-sex
Questions are being raised if the governor or New Mexico Office of the Attorney General will step in.

Former ADAs, defense counsel and folks in law enforcement, or other positions dealing regularly with our DA’s Office, are worried.

22/09/2021

Breaking: incumbent auditor Tim Eichenberg endorses staffer Heather Benavidez to replace him

🚨 Endorsement Alert 🚨

State Treasurer Eichenberg endorses Heather Benavidez for State Treasurer

I am currently the ONLY statewide candidate to have the endorsement of the outgoing Incumbent. State Treasurer Eichenberg knows first hand how important the Treasurer’s Office is, and that’s why he knows I’m the woman for the job.

Please chip in $22 to build momentum for Election Year 2022!
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/heather-for-nm-2

Tim Eichenberg for State Treasurer

17/07/2021

Joe denied communion: but not Joe Biden, as was reported in June. This time, New Mexico Senator Joe Cervantes was denied communion by the las cruces Bishop, a rebuke of his affiliation with the Democratic Party and a departure from Pope Francis, who in mid June warned bishops not to deny the other Joe (biden) communion.

07/09/2020

Breaking: Meow Wolf to unionize according to the ABQ Journal. This comes on the heels of the business opposing efforts to form a union, and on Labor Day weekend no less, a holiday honoring labor unions.

Albuquerque Journal Workers at Santa Fe-based art collective Meow Wolf — ...

13/08/2020

BREAKING

The Navajo Nation calls on Western Albuquerque Land Holdings (WAHL) and the Garrett Development Corporation of Arizona to do the right thing and allow the To’hajiilee-Albuquerque water pipeline line project move forward.

From the press release:
"The pipeline would connect the remote community to the Albuquerque water supply system, but is being block due to the non-responses of both WALH and the GDCA."
Senator Martin Heinrich.

--
Entire statement:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2020

Navajo Nation calls on Western Albuquerque Land Holdings
to allow access for critical To’hajiilee-Albuquerque water line project

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — A critical water access project intended to provide clean piped water to the Navajo community of To’hajiilee is being held up by Western Albuquerque Land Holdings and the Garrett Development Corporation of Arizona. The Navajo Nation Council, local To’hajiilee Chapter government, Navajo community members and Council Delegate Jamie Henio (Alamo, Ramah, Tohajiilee) are seeking immediate relief as critical local water wells are expected to go dry by year’s end.

“The Navajo people living in the To’hajiilee community desperately need a long-term, reliable water supply,” said Delegate Henio. “Without this important water pipeline project, To’hajiillee’s existing water wells will continue to fail after years of ‘band-aid’ fixes. Five have failed already, and the sixth has less than 11 months until it will also fail.”

The To’hajiilee-Albuquerque water pipeline line project was created to support the immediate and long-term water needs of the Navajo people of the To’hajiilee satellite community. The pipeline would connect the remote community to the Albuquerque water supply system, but is being block due to the non-responses of both WALH and the GDCA.

“The Navajo Nation Council has always fully supported the To’hajiilee-Albuquerque water pipeline project, and we have reached out to state and national leaders throughout this process to ensure their support, as well,” said 24th Navajo Nation Council Speaker Seth Damon (Baahaali, Chilchiltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs, Tsayatoh). “This is the most viable option for a stable source of water for the To’hajiilee community, and we’re willing, as Navajo leaders, to work with any partner or private company to make sure it continues to move forward.

The local To’hajiilee Chapter government currently has a feasible plan to bring in fresh water from Albuquerque through a proposed 7.2 mile pipeline. However, that project is being blocked by a WALH and GDCA, which are backed by Barclays Bank.

“Unless these companies give us the opportunity to negotiate access through the property, when the last To’hajiilee community water well fails, Navajo families will have to resort to bringing in water with emergency tanker trucks,” stated Delegate Henio.

Senator Martin Heinrich has taken a stance in favor of the project on social media. Sen. Heinrich calling for a solution to help the project move beyond the block by the private development companies.

“I find it unconscionable that Western Albuquerque Land Holdings and Garrett Development Corporation have been unwilling to come to the negotiating table to help the To’hajiilee Chapter secure access to clean water. This is truly a humanitarian crisis and we need a solution immediately,” said Senator Heinrich on social media.

During the most recent discussions of the 24th Navajo Nation Council, unanimous support for the project was established through Navajo Nation Council Resolution No. CJY-67-20 on Jul. 31. The Council authorized an immediate $8 million to support the To’hajiilee community’s request for clean piped water as a critical measure in supporting public health. That resolution is still pending at the Office of the President and Vice President for enactment.

“We call on the Navajo People and those beyond the Navajo Nation to help us bring these private companies to the table so that the people of the To’hajiilee community can have access to clean water. Time is of the essence,” said Delegate Henio.
# # #

MEDIA CONTACTS: [email protected] (928) 287-2085

Byron C. Shorty, INT Communications Director

Timothy Benally, Public Information Officer

Isabella S. Robbins, Staff Writer

26/07/2020

Mayor Tim Keller condemns the federal influx, his police chief praises it. Which is it? More inconsistency out of the CABQ administration

Credit: KOAT for the article

https://www.koat.com/article/apd-chief-multiple-law-enforcement-agencies-welcome-help-from-feds/33420052

Mayor, Senator say they want to make sure they're agents, not troops.

02/07/2020

BREAKING:
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham appoints Chief Deputy AG Clara Moran and attorney Lucy Solimon to the 2nd Judicial District Court bench. Both women were chosen above the rest of the applicants which were all men. Ms. Solimon May be the first woman of middle eastern descent on a district bench in New Mexico.

29/06/2020

Chief Justice Judith Nakamura delays her retirement citing a miscalculation with her Public Employees Retirement Assoc. (PERA) account. Others question if there aren't more political motives. The Chief Justice's announcement comes on the heels of ABQ District Judge Victor Lopez announcing he would bypass Governor Lujan Grisham's appointment and seek to be named to the ballot by the DEM State Central Committee this November.

24/06/2020

In a sharp deviation from tradition, Democratic Judge Victor Lopez, spouse of Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, seeks the nomination to the New Mexico Supreme Court without the appointment and approval of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham or Judicial Nominating Commission. See email from the Hon. Lopez below.
New Mexico Political Report

03/06/2020

Incumbents:
Mary Kay Papen
John Arthur Smith
Richard Martinez
Clemente Sanchez
Gabriel Ramos
We’re all defeated in their elections. The Observer is calling it for their challengers in a major upset for NM senatorial politics.
Congratulations to Pam Cordova for Senate, Siah Correa Hemphill for Senate, Carrie Hamblen, Martinez, and Leo Jaramillo for NM Senate.

29/05/2020

Tear gas was deployed to break up late night protests in response to George Floyd's death. Mayor Keller silent on the use of tear gas on protesters.

06/05/2020

The Governor has indicated an openness to tapping into the permanent fund, but without support from Conservative State Senators, this proposal may be a nonstarter. Many in the Legislature call this a "rainy day fund" but provide little detail as to what constitutes a "rainy day."
Conservative NM Senators include Senator Clemente Sanchez, John Arthur Smith, Mary Kay Papen, State Senator Bill Tallman - NM District 18, NM State Senator George Munoz, NM State Senator Gabriel Ramos

23/04/2020

New Mexico Teachers' Union endorses conservative incumbent Senate Candidates John Arthur Smith, Senator Clemente Sanchez, and Gabe Ramos. This comes as the three have exhibited conservative positions on early childhood education reform and increased spending to address Martinez-Yazzie concerns.
ATF - Albuquerque Teachers Federation

21/04/2020

Local nonprofit raises funds for undocumented people in New Mexico who will not benefit from the federal stimulus. Details within.

My name is Eduardo I grew up in a mixed status family in Albuquerque, Ne… Eduardo Esquivel needs your support for COVID Relief for undocumented families in NM

20/04/2020

According to the Abq Journal The spokesman for 2nd Judicial District Attorney Raúl Torrez, is on administrative leave following an alleged domestic violence incident.

The Albuquerque Police Department says a criminal summons will be issued for Michael Patrick for the charge of battery on a household member. The alleged victim is his wife, KOAT-TV’s Shelly Ribando.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1445146/da-spokesman-put-on-leave.html

The spokesman for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office is on administrative leave following an alleged domestic violence incident. The Albuquerque Police Department says a criminal summons will be issued for Michael Patrick for the…

16/04/2020

According to FEC filings Congresswoman Torres Small out raised her opponents with nearly $760,000 in the first quarter and had $2.9 million in cash on hand. She currently has more money in her campaign coffers than the three Republicans combined.

Her nearest opponent, Oil executive Claire Chase reported raising $319,842 during the first quarter of 2020.

Who’s your favorite to win in the next election?

16/04/2020

Candidate for New Mexico House Roger Montoya for NM State Rep. Dist 40 posts controversial image blasting national democrats. As of this post, the image is still posted and the candidate has posted no response. (tap image to see full post).

16/04/2020

It appears as though the race for the open US Senate Seat, being vacated by Senator Tom Udall, is going to be a matchup between Congressman and assistant speaker of the house Ben Ray Luján and ABQ weatherman Mark Ronchetti. Luján has consistently raised over $1 million each quarter and according to FEC filings has done so again. Ronchetti raised over $600k. Will it be enough to stop Luján’s momentum and swing a seat held by Democrats?

16/04/2020

Martin Heinrich, US Senator from New Mexico, rolled out a slew of endorsements which included a range of candidates from Pam Cordova for Senate and Siah Correa Hemphill for Senate both challenging incumbent democrats and Roger Montoya for NM State Rep. Dist 40 who was selected as a CNN Hero honoree. Heinrich has previously endorsed in democratic primaries, like the race between VeneKlasen and now Public Lands Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, but his candidate of choice was handily defeated. Let’s see if his stamp of approval takes hold in state legislative races. Heinrich has proven to be more heavy handed than his predecessor (Bingaman) or counterpart Tom Udall.

16/04/2020

Governor reports no new deaths Wednesday as of her news conference. She states that New Mexico is bending the curve.

15/04/2020

The New Mexico Supreme Court has rejected the Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State’s petition to make the June primary a mail-in only election. The court ordered that all clerks will mail an absentee ballot request form to all voters (not the ballot like the SOS asked) and that the election will move forward abiding by the Governor’s health order. The court cited inaction by the legislature and specific prohibition of mailing ballots to the clerks, and not the requesting voter.

For the first time in its history, the court live-streamed oral arguments.

15/04/2020