State GOP Communications Director Resigns.

Still more changes inside the New Mexico Republican Party.

Whitney Cheshire
Long-time strategist, Whitney Cheshire, a weekly panelist on KNME's community program "New Mexico In Focus" and "The Line," is resigning her post as the GOP's communication's director.

We got the word on Saturday morning directly from Cheshire:

It was always my intention to serve during the transition of administrations and I feel confident that Chairman [Harvey E.] Yates is now well down the road of implementing his own vision for the Party, rebuilding from our losses, raising money for future candidates, and securing the professional staff that he will have to have in place to be successful in 2009 and 2010. I wish him and the new slate of Party officers the best of luck as they work toward Republican victories in the coming cycle.

Perhaps Cheshire is planning to join another campaign staff! Does her resignation signal that Heather Wilson is one-step closer to jumping into the 2010 gubernatorial race?

Photo: MG Bralley

It's Official: Farmington's Allen McCulloch Announces He's Running for NM GOP Chairman!

In a Christmas letter sent to Republican supporters around the state. former U.S. Senate Candidate and Farmington Doctor Allen McCulloch has formally announced he's entering the election to become the State Republican Party Chairman.

Today, I am asking for your support in becoming the next Chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico.

We are at a cross-road of our Republican future. We can cease on the opportunity to come together and re-build a stronger more responsive party or sink further into irrelevancy.

Business as usual, will not work! We must begin by building a fundamentally sound organization, from the ground up.

As your next chairman, I am committed to ensuring our county chairs, activist's and legislators have a seat at the New Mexico Republican table. I believe we first have to be organized as a party to defend our values in Santa Fe. In preparation for the legislative session, I am proposing that county chairs develop legislative caucuses that will be prepared to respond to upcoming legislation. These county caucuses will be part of the state Republican Legislative Affairs Committee. Today is the time to start!

Second, we must start now on the development of our ground game in preparation for the 2010 midterm election. One of the most pressing issues that will face our party will be legislative redistricting in 2011. We must not allow a Democrat majority to exist in two years. The old saying that all politics are local is my commitment. We must Stop the Progressive Democrat organizations from making anymore gains in Santa Fe.

McCulloch believes:

Together, we can focus on building a strong party by ensuring every county has the tools they need to build strong efforts in:

• Voter Registration
• Strong ward / precinct organizations
• Candidate recruitment and training
• Meaningful communication from the state GOP

I have travelled to every corner of the state and have developed many strong working relationships. I have been given a commitment by our outgoing members of congress that they will help in the rebuilding of our party. I am asking for your support in electing me the next Chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico.

United we win!
Allen McCulloch

GOP women's board resigns after remarks on Muslims

The head of the Republican Women of Otero County refused to resign after calling Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama a "Muslim socialist."

Otero County GOP chairwoman Sassy Tinling says that when Marcia Stirman refused to quit, the rest of the board of the Republican Women's group gave Stirman their resignations.

Tinling also says the county GOP executive committee disassociated itself from the GOP women's group.

Stirman wrote a letter published October 21st in the Alamogordo Daily News in which she also said she believes Muslims are our enemies.

The New Mexico Republican Party says Stirman doesn't speak for them and her comments don't reflect GOP values and beliefs.

ACLU and Bernalillo County Clerk Entangled in Fresh Accusations

Democracy for New Mexico's got the scoop on an ACLU lawsuit here.

The blog is reporting that Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse-Oliver is refuting allegations by the ACLU that her office released confidential registration information after the ACLU issued a press release announcing the organization had sent a letter to the New Mexico Attorney General calling for a criminal investigation of the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office and the GOP related to the distribution of confidential voter registration information in connection with the GOP's recent allegations of "voter fraud" by ACORN and others.

This is a developing story and Barbara at Democracy for New Mexico is all over it. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Photo: MG Bralley

Goveror Bill Richardson to Launch Hispanics For Obama.

On Monday morning, which is the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, Governor Bill Richardson will launch a new group "Hispanics for Obama," which is interesting because Obama's website already has an official Latinos of Obama group.

Richardson is also scheduled to help open Obama's 35th office in NM at a facility in Sante Fe around 9:30am.

LP, a blogger at New Mexico FBIHOP, found this MAP of Obama's New Mexico campaign offices (many sharing space with other candidates) online. LP also suggests Obama's local campaign staff has a "huge" organizing lead over McCain's more centrally operated offices in the Land of Enchantment.


For additional political events ahead this week check both of the state parties websites:

NM Republican Party Events and NM Democrat Party Events

Photo Credit: MG Bralley