2010 Hispanic voter trends and stats

An analysis of new Census Bureau voting data from November 2010 shows that Hispanic turnout conformed to the pattern of recent midterm elections.

Before the 2010 election some commentators argued that the failure to address immigration would increase Hispanic turnout, others argued it would cause them to stay home. The new data shows that neither of these predictions were correct. The analysis is available at the Center for Immigration Studies.

Among the findings:

• Prior to the 2010 election, the Center for Immigration Studies projected that Hispanics would comprise 6.8 percent of the national electorate in congressional elections. The new Census Bureau data match this projection, with Hispanics comprising 6.9 percent of the vote.
• The projection was correct because it was based on the assumption that Hispanic turnout would follow past patterns and that they would be neither especially animated nor especially disengaged in 2010.
• The 31.2 percent of Hispanic citizens who voted in 2010 is very similar to the 32.2 percent who voted in the 2006 mid-term election and the 31.2 percent who voted in the 2002 mid-term election. All of these values fall within the margin of error of +/- 1.7 percentage points and indicate that 2010 was not unusual.
• In addition to the 6.9 percent of voters who identified as Hispanic in the 2010 election, 77.5 percent of voters identified as non-Hispanic white, 11.5 percent as non-Hispanic black, and 2.4 percent as non- Hispanic Asian.
• Hispanics are a much smaller share of voters than they are of the general population. In November 2010, Hispanics were 16.3 percent of the total U.S. population, 14.1 percent of the adult population, 10.1 percent of the adult citizen population, and 6.9 percent of those who voted.
• The size of the Hispanic vote varied significantly by state. In 2010, Hispanics were less than 5 percent of the vote in 39 states plus the District of Columbia, and more than 10 percent of the vote in only five states (New Mexico, California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida).
• Polling of Hispanics indicates that immigration is not one of their top issues. Like other voters, education, jobs, healthcare, and the federal deficit all rank above immigration in importance.
• This does not mean immigration is unimportant to Hispanics. It does mean it was not an issue that was important enough in 2010 to have a discernable impact on their overall turnout.
• Only 27 percent of Hispanic voters in the 2010 election were immigrants themselves (naturalized U.S. citizens) and just 14.9 percent lived in the same household as a non-citizen. The lack of direct personal experience with immigration may explain why the issue does not rank higher in importance to Hispanic voters.
• CNN's national exit polls showed that in 2010, 60 percent of Hispanics voted for Democrats and 38 percent voted for Republicans. This compares to 69 percent and 30 percent in the last mid-term election in 2006. If the failure to address immigration played a role in Hispanic voting, it seems to have helped Republicans.
• However, the increase in the Republican share of the Hispanic vote in 2010 is almost certainly related to general voter dissatisfaction with the economy and the Democrats, and it parallels gains that Republicans made among many demographic groups.

Methods and Data

The data for this analysis come from the public use file of the Voting and Registration Supplement of the Current Population Survey (CPS) collected by Census Bureau, which contains about 100,000 adults. The Voting and Registration supplement is conducted in November every other year after Election Day. The public-use file of this data was recently released. Among other questions, the survey asks individuals if they are registered and if they voted. The Hispanic and race questions are separate. Hispanics are individuals in the CPS who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino, which means that they or their ancestors came from a country that derives its language and culture from Spain.

The Center for Immigration Studies is an independent research institute that examines the impact of immigration on the United States.

Domenici Jr raises $260,000 in first six weeks

Updated March 5 - 9:34a

The Domenici for Governor Campaign announced Monday night that it has raised $260,000 in the first six weeks after launching his campaign.

“This support reflects the strong welcome Pete’s campaign has received from people who believe that he is a solid Republican who has the respect, backing, and state-wide exposure to win the governor’s office.” Domenici Campaign Director Doug Antoon said.

A list of contributors is available online.

Domenici Jr has contributed $50,000 to his own campaign -- the single largest contributor listed in the report.

“This support reflects the strong welcome Pete’s campaign has received from people who believe that he is a solid Republican who has the respect, backing and state-wide exposure to win the governor’s office,” Campaign Director Doug Antoon said in a news release.

Political contributions become more transparent

“Janice Arnold-Jones was the first Republican to list her contributors on her Web site, and I am proud to follow her example,” Domenici said in the release.

Since January, Arnold-Jones has been posting on her campaign Web site information about every contribution she’s received to date, and she is keeping the list of contributions current. Domenici didn’t say if he plans to constantly update his list or release new information periodically. Antoon previously said the campaign hoped to release information about contributors at least monthly.

The next required finance report is due on April 12, but Democratic gubernatorial candidate Diane Denishstarted the trend of voluntarily releasing reports quarterly, even in off-election years when it’s not required, more than two years ago. Her most recent report came in January.

Republican Susana Martinez has matched Denish in voluntarily releasing a report of contributions and expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2009.

But unlike Denish and Martinez, Arnold-Jones has not been releasing information about campaign expenditures more often than is required by state law. Asked if Domenici planned to release information about expenditures more often than law requires, Antoon said he does not.

“Expenditures will be released in accordance with the state’s disclosure law because it is a campaign’s expenditures that detail planning and strategy (though nearly all campaigns would not admit that outright),” he wrote in an e-mail. “So we will safeguard that information.”

In response to a question, Antoon said the campaign may release information about any in-kind contributions the campaign has received more often than state law requires.

Republican candidate Doug Turner has said “maybe” in response to my question about whether he would voluntarily release a finance report. And the campaign of Republican Allen Weh has said he is “considering”doing the same.

Dems attack

The Democratic Party responded to Domenici’s release of contribution information by accusing Domenici of underperforming by his “own standards.”

Citing a “source close to the campaign” that NMPolitics.net quoted when Domenici entered the gubernatorial race on Jan. 17 as saying the campaign expected to reach $500,000 in fundraising “very soon,” the Democratic Party said in a news release that Domenici’s “early gaffes and mistakes” have hampered his fundraising.

The Democratic Party did not point out that the Domenici campaign never officially set the bar at $500,000.

Poll: Denish leads GOP field in 2010 election

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish leads all five Republican gubernatorial candidates in a new poll released by Public Policy Polling -- although it appears Pete Domenici Jr is within striking distance.

Denish leads Domenici by five percentage points, 45-40, but holds much wider margins against the rest of the Republican field.

“Even in this hostile political climate, Diane Denish holds a lead against all of her potential opponents," Denish campaign Communications Director Chris Cervini said in a news release. "That’s because New Mexicans view her as an independent voice and a champion for middle-class families and their jobs."

But, considering the poll's 3.1 percent margin of error a possible Denish-Domenici race is essentially a dead heat. Of course that race isn't even finalized. While Denish is running unchallenged, Domenici still needs to collect a minimum of 20 percent of his party's pre-primary delegates and win the June 1st primary.

Denish polls 18 percentage points higher than Allen Weh, 48-30 percent, and by 14 percentage points over state Rep. Janice Arnold Jones, 47-33. She also holds a 14 percentage point lead over Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez, 46-32 percent, and the a similar 14 percentage point leader over Albuquerque Public Relations agency owner Doug Turner, 46-32 percent.

“Diane has developed a unique relationship with the people of New Mexico, and as Governor she’ll bring about a new way of doing business to Santa Fe. New Mexicans are looking forward – not backward – and Diane has the new ideas that will get our economy moving and help families make ends meet,” Cervini said.

Denish’s advantage comes in spite of significantly reduced popularity for Governor Bill Richardson. Only 28 percent of voters in the state approve of the job he’s doing with 63 percent disapproving. His 22 percent approval with independents and 7 percent with Republicans is not unusual for a Democratic official these days, but he’s even in negative territory within hisown party at a 42/47 spread.

"Given Obama and Richardson’s low levels of popularity Diane Denish is doing pretty well,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “But a contest with Domenici certainly looks like it could be competitive.”

Denish is easily the best known of the Gubernatorial candidates with 75 percent of voters holding an opinion about her. They break down positively by a 41/34 margin. A plurality of voters has no opinion about each of the Republicans. Domenici is viewed favorably by 27 percent, followed by 17 percent for Martinez, 12 percent for Weh and Turner, and 8 percent for Arnold-Jones.Although Barack Obama’s approval has slipped into negative territory at 45/48, both of the state’s Democratic Senators have solid 48/36 approval spreads.

PPP, a Democratic polling firm, surveyed 990 New Mexico voters from February 18th to 20th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.1 percent. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

Turner and Arnold-Jones smoked marijuana

A week after Pete Domenici Jr. admitted to “recreational” marijuana and cocaine use decades ago, two more Republican gubernatorial candidates, Doug Turnerand Janice Arnold-Jones, say they also tried marijuana years ago.

“I tried marijuana between high school and college,” Turner said in an e-mail sent via his campaign spokesman, Stephen Dinkel. Turner said he has never used any other illegal drug.

Arnold-Jones, who is on a fundraising trip in New Jersey, told NMPolitics.net today that she tried a marijuana cigarette once, with her boyfriend, in 1972 while she was attending UNM, but said she “didn’t like it.” She also said she bought a pack of cigarettes 30 years ago, but after smoking just nine, decided she didn’t like them either

Republicans Allen Weh and Susana Martinez told NMPolitics.net, through their spokespeople, that they have never smoked marijuana or used any other illegal drug.

Diane Denish, the Democratic candidate for governor, was traveling and did not respond to a question about whether she’s ever tried illegal drugs in time for this posting.

GOP Survey shows Pearce with lead

Former Republican Congressman Steve Pearce, who has outraised freshman incumbent Rep. Harry Teague, in the last two quarters, is now touting polling data which shows him with a slight lead in this year's 2nd Congressional District race.

The Tarrance Group poll, commissioned by Pearce, surveyed 401 likely voters between February 16-18, shows Pearce with a 4 percent lead in the 2010 election -- clearly inside the poll's 4.9 percent margin of error.

However, the good news for Teague, according to National Journal's Hotline On Call blog, is that he continued to outperform the Democrat generic ballot, meaning that some voters who are turned off by the Democrat brand still feel some connection to the Southern New Mexico incumbent.

The bad news is that he's still way below 50%, and the rest of those votes will be hard to make up -- even in a district that has more Democrat voters registered.

Pearce is listed as a "Young Gun" on this NRCC list.

Poll: Domenici Jr leads GOP field

While Democrat Lt. Governor Diane Denish cruises toward her party’s nomination for governor in 2010 unchallenged, the five-person Republican primary is beginning to heat up, and Pete Domenici Jr, who entered the race last, already has a huge double-digit lead in both name recognition and early voting preferences according to a public opinion poll conducted by 28 NMSU students enrolled in a Political Research Skills course instructed by Dr. Jose Z. Garcia.

The telephone survey, which calculated the responses of 444 registered Republicans statewide, from February 9-13, reports 36.3 percent of participants named Domenici without prompting and 29.3 percent of them said they were leaning toward voting for him — a nearly 18 percent lead over second place finisher Susana Martinez.

“That’s a substantial poll,” Domenici Jr told the Las Cruces Sun-News. “We’re pleased to see those results. We didn’t expect to be this far ahead this soon.”

In fact, Domenici’s likely voter support exceeded the combined voter preference totals for Martinez (11.5%,) Allen Weh (7.4%), Doug Turner (6.8%), and state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones(2.5%). A little more than 42 percent said they are still undecided.

Room for any one of the candidates to surge ahead'

Among likely Republican voters who were able to name, unprompted, at least one candidate in the race, 36 percent were able to name Domenici Jr. That was followed by former state Republican Party Chairman Allen Weh (22 percent), Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez (18 percent), Albuquerque public relations firm owner Doug Turner (17 percent) and State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque (8 percent).

Still, 46 percent of respondents — 203 people — weren’t able to identify a single candidate.

In his analysis of the results, which have an error rate of plus or minus 5 percent, Prof. Garcia looked at the question of whether Domenici’s lead was primarily due to high name recognition because of his father, retired six-term U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici.

To test it, Garcia looked at respondents who recognized both the names of Domenici and Martinez, who came in second in the poll, and found that 25 percent of those people preferred Domenici, while 40 percent preferred Martinez, 12 percent preferred another candidate and 12 percent were undecided.

“That, coupled with other factors, could mean this primary race could come down to Domenici and Martinez,” Garica predicted.

“The low sample size does not permit definitive conclusions, but this reduction, when combined with the relatively low performance of Weh in the preference question despite his relatively high name recognition … and the relatively low performance of Turner and Arnold, suggests—other things being equal—this is likely to become a two-person race in the next few weeks between Domenici and Martinez,” Garcia’s poll memo states.

Garica’s analysis also broke down the support by gender and ethnicity of respondents, and found that Domenici had the support of at least as many men and women as all the other candidates combined, and the support of roughly twice as many as Hispanic voters.

“Pete’s conservative positions are being well received by those now following the race,” Domenici’s campaign manager Doug Antoon wrote in a news release Sunday morning.

Garcia said he recognized the high number of undecided and believes there is still “a great deal of room for anyone of the candidates to surge ahead.”

In fact, the poll was taken before Domenici admitted to using drugs in the 70’s and 80’s and a mixed statement about his chances of winning the general election in 2010.

Poll results challenged

At least one campaign has questioned the reliability of the poll, calling Garcia a “staunch supporter” of Martinez. Another campaign manager told the Las Cruces Sun-News that the poll does not match their own internal polling.

“We disagree with the results, as Susana Martinez’s results appear inflated,” Allen Weh spokesman Chris Sanchez told the Las Cruces newspaper. “It appears there was a huge conflict of interest. We question who paid for the poll.”

But, Garcia has been upfront on the issue. He said that he purchased the survey list from Albuquerque-based Research and Polling with his own money, said that he's "not backing any of the candidates," nor consulting for any campaign.

The professor said his comments about Martinez being "a game changer," made to NMPolitics.net blogger Heath Haussamen last July, shortly after Martinez' announcement, was not an endorsement.

“I’m a registered Democrat,” Garica said. “My classes have been conducting polls like this for years.”

“It was not an endorsement at all,” he said. “I think I spoke factually, and if she ends up being a viable candidate in the Republican Party, I was right.”

Some pundits have said the poll signals problems for the Weh campaign.

He had the second highest name identification, but only place third in voter preference. So voters who know him may not have a favorable opinion of him.

Steve Kush, who moved to New Mexico from New Jersey, shortly after aiding Chris Christie’s successful campaign, told the Sun-News the polls numbers are “out-of-line with our internal numbers and appear to be regional in nature.”

“The only poll that matters is the one taken by the voters on Election Day, and I am confident the voters will respond to Representative Arnold-Jones’ message,” Kush told the Sun-News.

Turner told the newspaper he was “pleased that his name recognition numbers were as high as they were in the poll.” He said he started out the campaign at “2 percent or less,” because he’s new to the political arena.

The candidates first test will come in mid-March at the Republican Party Pre-Primary nominating convention in Albuquerque. Candidates there will need to muster at least 20 percent of the delegate vote for an automatic primary ballot position. No candidate who has not garnered that minimum has ever gone on to win the primary.

Domenici Jr accuses Weh of 'dishonesty'

Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Domenici Jr is accusing primary opponent Allen Weh of being "intellectually dishonest" after Weh distributed a news release to local bloggers - including ours -- using comments Domenici made about his chances of winning the general election this Fall.

“For him to have ripped out of context an innocent sentence was a half truth and reflects the same type of dishonesty we are trying to rid Santa Fe of,” Domenici said during a three-way call with NMPolitics.net Publisher Heath Haussamen and us.

"His excerpt from the 770KKOB interview ended with my statement about how hard it will be for Republicans to win without the best candidate. The rest of my statement concluded with, I'm saying I can win, and I'm concerned with the perception that I'm hearing (from Allen Weh) that says any of them (the Republicans running) can beat Denish. I don't agree with that," Domenici clarified.

Here’s the original transcript of what Weh provided:

Villanucci: Are you the best person to win the general?

Domenici: The general is going to be an extremely difficult election. The perception out there that somehow any of the five candidates can and should win the general, I disagree with strongly.

Villanucci: Who can’t win?

Domenici: I don’t know if I want to say particular names of who can’t win.

Villanucci: You obviously have a feeling on that. You said that not all of you can win, so somebody can’t, and you think you can. So, who can’t?

Domenici: Actually, I would even include myself in the group that

can’t.

But a review of the full audio transcripts revealed the Domenici went on to say:

“Actually, I would even include myself in the group that can’t. I don’t think this is a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination. It is going to be extremely tough. So I, that’s why I don’t want to go in the negative. I’m saying I can win and I’m concerned with the perception I’m hearing that says any of these five can win. I don’t agree with that.”

Domenici goes even further in a news release distributed after the telephone call, and claims it is Allen Weh who "cannot win."

"He has alienated too many Republicans and voters across the board,” Domenici said in the news release.

All four Republican candidates will try to pick up pre-primary convention delegates at nearly a dozen county meetings this weekend. Domenici said he'll attend at least two - in Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties.

Updated: Domenici says general election will be "tough""

Updated:

A second and more thorough review of Domenici's statement to a local talk show host reveals he actually thinks he can win, he simply says "it's not a sure thing."

I don’t think this is a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination. It is going to be extremely tough. So I, that’s why I don’t want to go in the negative. I’m saying I can win and I’m concerned with the perception I’m hearing that says any of these five can win. I don’t agree with that.”

Political newcomer Pete Domenici Jr, who admitted to smoking marijuana and using cocaine in the 1970s and 1980's, also told 770KKOB radio talk show host Jim Villanucci on Tuesday that the 2010 general election is going to be "difficult" for any of the five Republican gubernatorial candidates to win.

In fact, Domenici, who considers himself a front runner in this June's primary, went further and said he might not be able to win the general election himself.

Today, Albuquerque Businessman Allen Weh, who is also running for Governor, sent us the audio and a news release stating that he is much more confident in the party's chances this Fall.

“In November, voters will be looking for a leader who can put New Mexicans back to work and get our economy moving in the right direction,” Weh said. “Unlike my opponent, I believe the next governor of New Mexico will be a Republican.”

The following is a transcript, provided by the Weh camp, from Wednesday’s radio interview:

Jim Villanucci: Are you the best person to win the general?

Pete Domenici Jr: The general is going to be an extremely difficult election. The perception out there that somehow any of the five candidates can and should win the general, I disagree with strongly.

Jim Villanucci: Who can't win?

Pete Domenici Jr: I don't know if I want to say particular names of who can't win.

Jim Villanucci: You obviously have a feeling on that. You said that not all of you can win, so somebody can't, and you think you can. So, who can't?

Pete Domenici Jr: Actually, I would even include myself in the group that can't.

Three lawmakers endorse Powell for Land Office

Jeff Steinborn (left), Ray Powell, Nate Cote, Steve Fischmann at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on Monday.

Democrat Ray Powell, a primary candidate for commissioner of public lands this year, picked up endorsements from three Doña Ana County lawmakers on Monday.

Sen. Steve Fischmann and representatives Jeff Steinborn and Nate Cote said they will back Powell “because of his commitment to reforming the State Land Office and re-establishing an and open and transparent administration.”

In 2009, all three lawmakers proposed legislation to reform the State Land Office after a land exchange on Las Cruces’ East Mesa.

“Ray Powell is the reform candidate,” Sen. Fischmann said. “He’s who I trust. It’s no question that we need him back at the Land Office.”

“The stakes are high. With Ray, he’ll bring much needed stability back to the Land Office,” Steinborn said. “He’s ethical, principled and knows how to work with communities to maximize the dollars returned to the land office and ultimately our schools.”

“When Ray Powell served as land commissioner, he was recognized for running one of the best land management agencies in the country,” Cote said. “Right now, the Land Office is in crisis, and we are desperately in need of leadership we can trust.”

Ray Powell, a veterinarian, who previously served as land commissioner from 1993-2002, is currently employed as a regional director for the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research Education and Conservation in the western United States, said “these legislators have been instrumental in exposing the behind-the-scene deals happening at the Land Office.”

“I’m eager to clean the place up. I look forward to working with these outstanding leaders to ensure real reform is enacted to protect our public lands and the significant revenues they generate for our public schools, universities, and hospitals,” Powell said after receiving the endorsements.

Powell face Santa Fe County Commissioners Harry Montoya and Mike Anaya, and PRC Commissioner Sandy Jones in the Democratic primary this June.

Earlier this month, Jones, who is currently a Public Regulation Commissioner, was endorsed by the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Union, New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 611, Iron Workers Local 490, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 412 and Lordsburg Mayor Arthur Clark Smith.

Four Republicans are also running in the primary, including oilman Spirio Vassilopoulos, Jim Jackson, who took a leave of absence from the land office to campaign for the post; cattle rancher Matt Rush; and GOP activist Bob Cornelius.

Barela now a 'Contender'

The National Republican Congressional Committee has advanced 1st Congressional Republican candidate Jon Barela to ’Contender’ status in its 2010 Young Guns program, a three-step program dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger GOP candidates nationwide.

“I’m proud of the work being done by our staff and volunteers, as we offer New Mexicans a clear alternative to the high-tax, high-spend status quo being offered by Martin Heinrich and Nancy Pelosi in Washington,” Barela said in a Monday news release. “I’m honored and excited to join the ‘Contender’ ranks in the NRCC Young Guns program.”

NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions said in a news release that Barela “has already proven that he will be a formidable candidate by meeting the Young Guns program’s rigorous goals and is well on his way to building a winning campaign that will put this seat back in the Republican column.”

“Jon is part of a strong and growing pool of candidates who are frustrated with the Democrat majority’s big-government ways and aren’t willing to stand by any longer,” Sessions said. “His campaign has put Martin Heinrich on notice that Americans are ready to turn the page on the failed experiment known as the Obama-Pelosi agenda.”

Former 2nd Congressional District Rep. Steve Pearce, who is trying to retake the seat from Democratic Rep. Harry Teague, was already listed as a contender in the NRCC program. Neither Republican 3rd Congressional District primary candidate, Tom Mullins nor Adam Kokesh, are in NRCC's program.

Last month, we caught up with Barela at an Albuquerque Tea Party sponsored candidate “Meet and Greet” event in Rio Rancho.

He told nearly 400 people, who attended the event, that “there is going to be a stark difference” between him and incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich.



Recorded on January 16, 2009.

Montoya kicks off 2010 re-election campaign

Bernalillo County Assessor Karen Montoya, the only woman to hold the post here, wants a second term, and on Wednesday night she hosted her first campaign event at Artichoke Cafe in Albuquerque.

In her first term, Montoya, a native New Mexican and mother of two girls, said she increased the use of technology and budgeted updates, provided hands-on assistance to taxpayers, tackled tax lightning issues, and froze property values for senior citizens, who are often on fixed incomes.

Montoya said her priorities as assessor include taxpayer equity, making sure our seniors and veterans benefit from allowable exemptions, and continuing a professional and citizen-friendly office.

Late last year, Assessor Montoya decided to act on court decisions that ruled new property owners were being taxed unfairly. Montoya decided she would help to eliminate “tax lightning” and would roll back tax property tax values. Thanks to Karen’s no-nonsense approach in Bernalillo County, policy makers at the state level have started work on crafting constitutional remedies to fix the tax lightning problem for all of New Mexico.

“If taxpayers are being unfairly taxed, I’m the first to make it right,” says Assessor Montoya.

Montoya also worked on an awareness campaign aimed at veterans and their surviving spouses to make sure they take advantage of a $4,000 allowance on the appraised value of their homes and property.

Montoya, who worked as a Senior Appraiser for the New Mexico State Tax Property Division, before being elected in 2006, told us she wants to dedicate office resources to new training programs for her 120 employees in her second term.

She is a New Mexico Certified Appraiser and served as Chair of the County Valuation Protest Board. She is currently a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers.

Assessor Montoya was also the Vice Chair of the New Mexico Association of Assessing Officer’s June 2007 to June 2009 and she is currently the Chairwomen for the Property Tax Force Committee.

Fire fighters union endorses Colón for Lt. Gov.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 244 has endorsed Brian Colón in the Democratic primary race for lieutenant governor.

"Brian Colón has proven to be a strong advocate for the public employees of New Mexico. He understands that fire fighters have a critical role in public safety for our community," said Diego Arencón, President of IAFF Local 244.

Local 244 represents 861 members of the Albuquerque Fire Department and the Bernalillo County Fire Department.

"I am honored and humbled to have the endorsement of the membership of Local 244. As a father, a husband and your next Lieutenant Governor, I know just how important it is that our first responders have the resources they need to keep our families safe. In the Roundhouse, I will be a partner with Diane Denish to make that a reality," said Colón.

Mullins' volunteers struggle to file FEC report

Republican 3rd Congressional District primary candidate Tom Mullins still has not filed his year-end financial report, which was due on January 31st, with the Federal Election Commission.

Mullins told us this morning that his volunteer campaign team is having difficulty "converting the numbers using the data forms on the FEC's website."

For now, he is posting his financial report on his campaign's website.

"We posted the numbers on our blog this weekend," Mullins said after discovering the information had not been uploaded to the official government site on time.

"We are going to pay a couple of hundred dollars in fines and get this sorted out, and report on time from now on," Mullins said.

Mullins indicated $45,274 fourth quarter receipts, which is almost $7,000 more than his primary opponent Adam Kokesh.

Mullins claimed $14,300.64 in expenses from October 1 to December 31st and had $30,973.36 cash on hand, significantly more than Kokesh who reported only $4863.13 cash on hand. However Kokesh's campaign claims it raised more than $30,000 with a "birthday bomb" donation campaign tied to Kokesh's 28th birthday on Monday.

Incumbent Democrat Rep. Ben Ray Lujan's year-end report showed receipts of $112,073.84 in the final quarter and an election cycle total of $532,073.17. He ended ended 2009 with $284,852.61 on hand.

Forbes endorses Turner for governor

'New Mexico needs a leader who is honest, conservative and fiscally responsible. Doug is that leader,' Forbes says

Republican gubernatorial primary candidate Doug Turner has picked up the endorsement of Forbes Magazine CEO and financial expert Steve Forbes

“I am proud to endorse Republican candidate Doug Turner for governor,” Forbes said. “Doug knows how to manage and grow a successful business and is the type of leader who will work hard to get New Mexico back on track.”

Forbes, who has known Turner for a decade, said he is impressed with the Albuquerque public relations agency owners' "hard work ethic and commitment to doing thing the right way for the right reasons."

"New Mexico needs a leader who is honest, conservative and fiscally responsible. Doug is that leader," Forbes said. "He has a proven track record in both the public and private sectors and will bring fresh ideas to New Mexico’s government. Doug's experience as a community leader and small businessman make him exactly the kind of Governor New Mexico needs right now. He's not a career politician and I can’t think of anyone else better to get the job done."

Forbes said he is supporting Turner because, "Doug will clean up Santa Fe, slash the size of state government and put an end to the wasteful spending that is bankrupting New Mexico."

Forbes currently serves on the boards of The Heritage Foundation and The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and has been monitoring the nation's economic woes.

“Our nation is facing hard economic times right now, and we need the kind of leaders who believe in American initiative and enterprise.” Forbes added, “New Mexico is in the same boat, and needs someone like Doug Turner who knows what it takes to help our businesses prosper and create jobs.”

Rael picks up tribal endorsements

Lawrence Rael, one of five Democratic primary candidates for lieutenant governor, announced he has received the endorsement of the All Indian Pueblo Council and 7 separate tribal governments, including Isleta Pueblo, Santa Domingo Pueblo, Cochiti Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo, Zia Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo and Pojaque Pueblo.

“Lawrence’s ability to build partnerships and get good things done would have been enough to earn our endorsement,” Isleta Pueblo Governor Robert Benavides. “But what really sets him apart is his integrity and the respect he shows to everyone he works with.”

Rael has worked closely with cities and tribal governments throughout the region. First as City Manager of Albuquerque and later as Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

“Whether it was getting a Rail Runner station in Santo Domingo, helping with Bosque restoration projects in Isleta, or arranging meetings between local mayors and the All Indian Council, I have always enjoyed working with the tribal leaders,” Rael. “I’m honored that they’re supporting me in my bid for Lieutenant Governor.”

Rael, faces former party chairman Brian Colón, State Rep. Joe Campos of Santa Rosa and state Sens. Linda Lopez and Jerry Ortiz y Pino. Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano withdrew from the race last month.

Four Republicans are also campaigning for lieutenant governor, including state Sen. Kent Cravens of Albuquerque, 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate J.R. Damron, former state Rep. Brian Moore of Clayton, 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee John Sanchez. Albuquerque nurse Bea Sheridan has dropped out of the race.

Serrano starts campaign for Bernalillo County Commissioner

Construction company owner, Dan Serrano, an advocate for splitting up the Albuquerque Public School's district and creating a separate district on the city's Westside, announced his 2010 campaign for a seat on the Bernalillo County Commission.

He's vying for the District 1 seat being vacated by Alan Armijo is term-limited after his second consecutive term.

The Democrat father of three greeted supporters at a local resturant and said his campaign's guiding theme will be, "Putting our community to work."

A small business owner, former police officer, and chairman of the Albuqerque Westside Chamber of Commerce, Serrano said he supports "practical economic development and the growing need to combat the crime in New Mexico communities that makes it hard for business to thrive."

"People need to get back to work now," Serrano wrote in a campaign email news release. "A safer community and an educated workforce attract business to New Mexico. We only have to invest in ourselves to create long-term opportunities."

Colón opens state campaign office

Democrat lieutenant governor primary candidate Brian Colón, who kicked off his 2010 campaign last fall, opened his state campaign headquarters office in Albuquerque --on Sunday afternoon.

Colón urged over 150 people who attended the office opening to participate in Thursday's Bernalillo County ward meetings -- where delegates will be elected to the party's state pre-primary nominating convention.

After addressing the crowd, Colón, an Albuquerque attorney and former party chairman, told us that he wants to improve the state's business landscape -- including making sure that local companies, win the big American Recovery and Re-investment Act contracts.

Colón, who's wife is a teacher, also told us he recognizes that to continue economic development in the state, companies need well-prepared students, and he'll work to improve the state's graduation rates by putting what ever resources are needed inside classrooms.



Campaign co-chairs announced

Last week, Colón announced his campaign co-chairs. Ambassador Edward Romero, Ladonna Harris, and Lenton Malry will serve as advisers and co-chairs. Colón, said that he will soon announce his Colón Captains in all 33 counties.

Ambassador Romero served during the Clinton administration as Ambassador to Spain. Ambassador Romero lives in Albuquerque and is active in a number of civic and philanthropic organizations.

Ladonna Harris is the president and founder of Americans for Indian Opportunity. She is a national leader on Native American issues and lives in Albuquerque.

Lenton Malry is a former State Representative and Bernalillo County Commissioner. Malry has had a long and distinguished career as a public servant spanning more than 40 years.

"Whether it was fighting for full-day kindergarten in the legislature or working as a Principal in the Albuquerque Public Schools, I have long believed that the future of New Mexico is our public schools. I am proud to support Brian because I know that he will, as our next Lieutenant Governor, wake up every day fighting for our schools so that his son and all of New Mexico's children will receive the best education possible," Malry said.

Colón, the former Democrat Party of New Mexico Chairman, faces State Rep. Joe Campos of Santa Rosa and state Sens. Linda Lopez and Jerry Ortiz y Pino, both of Albuquerque, and former Mid-region Council of Goverments Executive Director Lawrence Rael. Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano withdrew from the race last month.

Five Republicans have announced their candidacies for lieutenant governor — state Sen. Kent Cravens of Albuquerque, 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate J.R. Damron, former state Rep. Brian Moore of Clayton, 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee John Sanchez. Albuquerque nurse Bea Sheridan has dropped out of the race.

Davis enters 2010 race for Sheriff in Bernalillo County

Patrick Davis, a former University of New Mexico Police Lieutenant and the youngest New Mexico graduate of the FBI's National Academy, announced his 2010 candidacy for Bernalillo County Sheriff at the Sandia Courtyard Hotel & Convention Center on Sunday.

Davis, a Bernalillo County Democrat, has served in the law enforcement community for 10 years, and is currently serving as a program director and public information officer with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office.

Davis, who earned a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice said he is focused on community policing.

"In a community faced with such daunting challenges, it is time that we refocus and stand together against crime and criminals," Davis said.

'Targeting efforts on repeat offenders'

Davis said his campaign is about reshaping the way the county approaches law enforcement.

"So many other cities have realized success by embracing new technology, targeting efforts on repeat offenders and listening to the concerns of the communities we serve," Davis said. "New criminals are using new tactics to victimize our citizens. Its time that law enforcement responded with new ideas and new energy."

He told us he doesn't want 300 deputies driving around waiting for crimes and said he wants to engage the community in fighting crime along with his command staff. He also said he's monitoring the 2010 Legislature, and recognized that resources could be tight.

Still, Davis wants to make sure lawmakers in Santa Fe protect deputy pay raises, training and D.W.I. grant money.

Davis also told us he's closely watching Sandoval Demorat Rep. Jack Thomas' HB 174, which is legislation aimed at curbing gang recruitment, with stiff new penalties. He wants to ensure the bill, if approved, won't face legal challenges or become to cumbersome.

Davis is not only the youngest candidate in the field, he's also an openly gay man in the community. In fact, his partner has been recognized for his work on the BCSO's swat team.

"I came to Albuquerque because I love its people and its culture, and wanted to be a part of the next generation of our community," Davis said.

He said being gay is just another indication of the state and county's diversity and that deputies, who are aware of his sexual orientation, just treat him as another cop.

Davis faces a number of Democrat primary opponents including interim Sheriff Manny Gonzales, Felix Nunez, and Marie "SiSi" Miranda. APD Commander Conrad Candelaria reportedly dropped out of the race last week.

The Republicans are also fielding several candidates to replace former Sheriff Darren P. White who accepted a job with the City of Albuquerque as Chief Public Safety Director. They include William Kurth and Dan Houston among a few.