Sen. Ortiz y Pino opens campaign headquarters

Ortiz y Pino makes it official - he wants to be the state's next lieutenant governor.

On Friday evening, at Winrock Mall, State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-Albuquerque) officially announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor on the Democratic ticket.

“New Mexicans want a clear choice of honest, ethical, productive, and progressive leadership that my campaign represents," Ortiz y Pino said. "Our recent special session and the upcoming budget struggles show clearly that without such progressive leadership, hard-working families and other New Mexicans most in need unfairly take the brunt of cuts they can least afford. I stand today not just as a Democratic Party candidate for Lt. Governor, but as the leader of all New Mexicans no matter how they vote, how they live, how they work, or how they love.”

He enters a crowded field including, former Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Brian Colón, Lawrence Rael, State Rep. Jose Campos, Sheriff Greg Solano, and State Sen. Linda Lopez.
On Friday evening, at Winrock Mall, State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-Albuquerque) officially announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor on the Democratic ticket.

Ortiz y Pino, a progressive Democrat told the crowd he wants to be the voice that says, "we can do better."

"We must match the people's courage and bring about reforms," Ortiz y Pino said.

The senator said he wants to reform ethics rules for public servants, promote environmental stewardship, help improve statewide education results, provide quality healthcare for every citizen and focus on economic strategies for the state.

To qualify for the June 2010 primary ballot the candidates will have to get 20 percent of the pre-primary convention vote, or collect enough qualifying signatures.

Murder Victims' Families Endorsing Lopez

Updated: 12:30p

Dan Valdez thought he was the only one grieving for a missing daughter for the past five years.

Little did he know that by the end of March seven other families in the Albuquerque area would learn that their daughters, sisters, and cousins had also been murdered and buried on the West Mesa.

In all, eleven woman, and one unborn child (Valdez' grandchild) were unearthed at the city's largest crime scene earlier this Spring.

Now, the families of the murdered women, are rallying behind Senator Linda Lopez' bid to become the state's next lieutenant governor.

Yesterday, Valdez endorsed Sen. Lopez, in this speech, at Washington Park.



Valdez told Lopez' supporters that the senator has help families make connections at the Peanut Butter & Jelly Family Services. He said meeting with the other families has been an extraordinary part of the healing process for himself. He said everyone has become like an extended family that shares stories, cries together, and hug.

He credited Lopez for her work getting the Albuquerque Public School system to donate computers to the victims' children and for setting up a meeting for families with Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz last week. He said it was the first time they sat down with the chief for a question and answer session.

Children of West Mesa Murder Mystery mothers went on a $215
JC Penny Shopping Spree before heading back to school.

He also praised Lopez for working with City Councilor Ken Sanchez and K-B Homes to get land donated at the grave site for a permanent memorial to the victims.

Valdez notified the crowd that he will be an advocate and rally lawmakers, during the next session, to update what he calls "outdated laws" regarding the reporting and tracking of adults missing in the community. He said, "missing women, should never be on the backburner, or put in a cold case file."


Also speaking at Saturday's announcement were Tamaya Wiener and State Representative Henry "Kiki" Saavadra. You can listen to their remarks here.



Wiener said Lopez understands issues that working moms have. Wiener also praised Lopez for taking care of her 98-year old mother at the same time taking care of her son Lorenzo, and said she respects Lopez for her support of bi-lingual education.

Rep. Saavadra said the state is in for some hard times, but they are each committed to helping state employees and teachers around the state. He called Lopez one of the brightest. "She thinks well....she takes a few minutes, but when she speaks everyone listen because she's usually right."

Sen Lopez: Ready To be Lt. Gov on Day One

Updated: 10pm

On Saturday morning, Linda Lopez, who has been in the New Mexico State Senate for 13 years, officially entered the already crowded race for Lieutenant Governor. She becomes the fourth woman to announce a campaign for a state office next year.

It appears, 2010 is truly shaping up to possibly be the "Year of the Woman" in New Mexico politics.

During her brief speech, Sen. Lopez told about 100 supporters, including most of the families of murdered women found buried this Spring on Albuquerque's West Mesa, that she's ready to be the state's next Lieutenant Governor on day one if elected.

Lopez said she has unique experiences that qualify her for the job. Lopez said her campaign will be about jobs for New Mexicans. She said many communities are in need and that she doesn't believe building prisons are economic development, instead she said they are becoming repositories for "our children."

Lopez noted more than half of the state's grandparents are raising their grandchildren. She said the state shouldn't be anywhere close to 54%. She recommends using technology to help teachers and families improve the education outcomes.


She also talked about Safe Coverage Initiative, which she described as a public health care option already in place in New Mexico. She said congress should pay attention to what is being done in New Mexico. She pledged to work on more access to health care and to work for medicare funding if she's elected Lieutenant Governor.

Lopez also promised to work closely on the governor's initiatives:

I'm not shy, two women at the head, we can create change, and we will.

With children playing in the park and others enjoying homemade breakfast burritos, Senator Lopez spent about five minutes outlining her vision and why she's running for Lieutenant Governor for us.

See what the Senator says about what she's been doing to help the murder victims in another video here. Also listen to her remarks on the state's budget crisis and her role, as the Senate Rules Chair since 2002, in reforming ethics laws in New Mexico in this video.

Eleanor Griego, the mother of a murdered woman, was at the announcement to support Lopez. She told 770KKOB News Radio why she is supporting Lopez' candidacy in this exclusive interview:


Eleanor Griego
Griego said the children orphaned by the murders are doing well. The school aged children each got a $215 dollars for a "back to school" shopping spree after the group collected donations. Griego said having new clothes and gear for school helped their self esteem, but she's concerned some of them are still being teased at school.

Griego said one of her grandchildren's school mates insulted his mother, not knowing she was murdered, and that she's working with administrators to make sure the children are okay. She said many of the them are still getting counseling after attending six funerals this summer.

After announcing in Albuquerque in the morning, Sen. Lopez jumped on the Rail Runner and headed North to Santa for a 2nd announcement event on Saturday afternoon outside the REI store.

Her first fundraiser is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Fiesta's Restaurant in Albuquerque.


View a photo slideshow from the Lopez' announcement at Washington Middle School Park.



Blogger Mary Collins said in her "A Female New Mexican's Political Blog" post that the senator will have to answer some difficult questions before Democrats cast their votes. Collin and Lopez talked about violence toward women and childhood obesity, and pay parity in this video.

Rael Makes It Official, He's Running for Lieutenant Governor

On Sunday, Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG), formally announced his candidacy for the office of Lieutenant Governor for the State of New Mexico.

Rael, made the announcement at the Albuquerque Isotopes baseball park at 5:30pm. He chose the "lab" because he believes the park is a testament to his long public service career. He served three consecutive mayoral administrations and was responsible for bringing baseball back to the Duke City after the Albuquerque Dukes left town.

He told us he's prepared to become president of the senate if he's elected because he knows how to balance billion dollar budgets, bring people together and how to make hard decisions.

Rael told us his top issue will be education and reducing the high dropout rates in the state. He also said that he understands that government officials have to earn back the public trust by acting ethically.

Rael said he "politely" disagrees with one of his opponents about rolling out ethics reforms incrementally. "If you want to be a leader, then you have to lead," said Rael.

Rael faces a crowded field for the 2010 Democratic Party nomination. Former party chairman Brain Colon is preparing to enter the race and has a fundraiser planned for August 31st at the Hotel ABQ. State Senators Linda Lopez and Gerald Ortiz y Pino have already started campaigning. Freshman Senator Tim Eichenberg is also traveling the state exploring his options for the race. Last week former Santa Rosa Mayor Joe Campos said he was running and Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano has been in the race for months. Military veteran Matthew Padilla also announced he's seeking the nomination. And we've heard former New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham is also looking at the race.

All the candidates will be competing for at least 20 percent of the vote, at next year's pre-primary nomination convention, to automatically be placed on the June primary ballot. Candiates with less than 20 percent will have to gather enough qualifying signatures to be added to the ballot.

Rael, who's has been in public service in New Mexico for 25 years, said the decision to run for Lieutenant Governor was influenced by the support he has received from people around the state and from some early fundraisers.

Rael said he's running because he understands the state is facing tremendous challenges, but that he also see opportunities for new leaders they can trust:

I am running for Lieutenant Governor because New Mexicans need a leader they can trust who has a proven track record and a demonstrated ability to bring people together to tackle problems and provide real solutions,” Rael said. “I believe that I have shown that leadership, and that together we can build a better New Mexico.

Rael served as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation under former New Mexico Governor Toney Anaya and as an Aide to Senator Jeff Bingaman. He also served as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque through three successive mayoral terms. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments, a multi-county organization that assists in a variety of planning services ranging from transportation and land-use to workforce and economic development.

As a city administrator, Rael said projects he spearheaded created results for New Mexican families:

We successfully built programs that revitalized educational and family-oriented facilities such as Balloon Fiesta Park, Explora Science Center, the Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanic Gardens, and the Isotopes Baseball Park.

More recently as Executive Director of the MRCOG, Rael was the driving force behind the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express has become the fastest start-up of a commuter rail project in the country in the last 20 years. The project required working with more than 19 tribal and county governments, and creating partnerships necessary for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express’ successful completion. The Rail Runner demonstrates Rael’s ability to build consensus while respecting the diverse cultures of New Mexico.

For more information or to be part of Rael’s campaign for Lt. Governor please visit www.rael2010.org.

Senate Rules Chair Defends Incremental Ethic Reforms.

Senate Rules Chair Linda Lopez (D-ABQ) says ethics reform "won't happen overnight" in New Mexico.

Lopez, who announced, in April, that she's running for Lieutenant Governor, made the remarks Thursday evening at a Bernalillo County Democratic Party meeting at UNM Law School.



About 50 people attended the meeting and listened to several 2010 candidates, including two of Lopez' announced opponents, Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano and Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, who is exploring a run against current Lt. Governor Diane Denise, for Governor in 2010, also spoke the the crowd. Denish, who's on vacation, sent her daughter, Sara Schreiber, to speak for her.

During the meeting, Diogenes' Six blogger Ched MacQuigg asked each candidate about their plans to "end the culture of corruption in state government." Read the interesting responses he got on his morning blog post.

HISPANICS URGING PRESIDENT TO CONSIDER CHAVEZ FOR HIGH COURT.

About three dozen prominent Hispanic New Mexicans want President Barack Obama to consider Santa Fe Native and NM Supreme Court Justice Edward Chavez for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Earlier this month, Justice David Souter announced he plans to retire at the end of the current court's term.

A UNM Law School graduate, Chavez has said court's "Cannot ration justice."

Chavez has been an advocate for government transparency and accountability.

In January, Chavez delivered this biennial State of the Judiciary to lawmakers.

He told lawmakers:

The budgetary challenges we face will foster a coalescence of the three branches of government around our shared mission to establish justice.

Michael Coleman with the Albuquerque Journal reports the letter to Obama was signed by Former New Mexico Governor Jerry Apodaca, State Senator Linda Lopez, Representatives Antonio Maestas and Eliseo Lee Alcon and UNM Law Professor Antonette Sedillo Lopez.

Hipanics, who make up 15% of the country's population, have urged Obama to pick a Hispanic for the court. Only about 4% of federal judges are Hispanic.

Other Hispanics mentioned as leading candidates for the court appointment include 54-year-old Sonia Sotomayor, a Bronx native of Puerto Rican descent, who has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit since 1998.

In addition to Sotomayor, several other Hispanic jurists have been mentioned including Maria Rivera, who serves on the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; Vanessa Ruiz, from the D.C. Court of Appeals; Martha Vasquez, from the US District Court in New Mexico; and Kim McLane Wardlaw, who serves on the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Chavez earned his undergraduate degree at Eastern New Mexico in 1978 and his law degree at UNM in 1981. Chavez later worked at the law school as an adjunct professor.

In his January 29th State of the Judicary Report, “Scarcity Clarifies our Mission to Establish Justice” Chavez spoke about access to the courts and speedy trials:

The human consequences of court delays should excite caution against rationing justice....It remains our solemn responsbility to accelerate the progress of a justic system that must be accessible, fair, impartial efficient and most importantly accountable to the people of New Mexico.

Chavez also outlined his view on the role of government.

Our Founding Fathers built afoundation for government by separating the legislative, executive, and judicial functions,and detailing their respective powers in the body of the Constitution. But after they penned those words, the Founding Fathers realized that they had left no written guarantees for the rights of private citizens. They had assumed that everyone who exercised the awesome powers of government would also recognize their responsibility.

Chavez' court bio says he was in private practice for 22 years and served on several community boards, including President of the Legal Aid Society in New Mexico and Chairman of UNM's Mental Health Center.

NM Senator Jumps into 2010 Race for Lt. Governor.

On Saturday, we were the first to report the chair of the NM Senate Rules Committee Chair Linda Lopez (D-11) had announced her intention to run for Lt. Governor in 2010.

Lopez told members of the Democratic Party of New Mexico's Central Steering Committee this weekend as they met in the Kiva Auditorium.

If she and current Lt. Governor Diane Denish, who's running for Governor, are both elected it will be the state's first all female executive branch.

We spoke to Senator Lopez on Saturday.

Listen to our interview here.



Lopez told us she's ready to move up.

First elected to the Senate 13 years ago, Lopez believes she has the experience necessary to take the helm of the Senate, develop budgets and told us she'll focus on economic development in the state, and improving access to health care and behavioral health.

Lopez says one issue, near and dear to her heart, is education. If her campaign is successful she said she'll work on improving educational outcomes for Latino students, who make up the majority of student populations in New Mexico.

Lopez also told us that she's pleased some ethics measures passed her committee this year and said she believe ethics measures will continue to work their way through the legislative process for the next few years.

We learned, Lopez submitted her resume to Denish and interviewed for the Lt. Gov's job when it appeared Governor Richardson was headed to the U.S. Commerce Department.

Later, we spoke with Lopez at a local restaurant where she joined the families of missing and murdered Albuquerque women who had gathered to watch John Walsh tell there story to the nation on America's Most Wanted.

Lopez says community leadership needs to take ownership of the problems that led to missing women being found murdered and buried on the a West Mesa.

Listen to her comments on the tragedy and what she's recommending to prevent it from happening again here.



Lopez says she'll work with Quantum [Optum Behavioral Health] to develop statewide programs to help drug addicts get out of the cycle of substance abuse. She says people incarcerated on drug charges shouldn't just be "dropped back into the wild," that they need to be in a treatment process for months and sometimes years.

Lopez says she's working with Lt. Governor Denish to implement new notification procedures including an adult amber alert system.

She said America's Most Wanted did a decent job of recognizing the murdered women as humans and hopes it generates leads to aid police and hopes a suspect is identified.

Lopez photo: MG Bralley