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Have to admit, I would have personally liked Heinrich as Governor if there is to be a D Governor. Expect this race to be fairly competitive in the General with the Ds slightly the favorites. | |||
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BrentinCO: Couple of observations on Heinrich passing. Its probably good news for Deb Haaland - meaning she's clearly the front runner for the Democratic Nomination. 2. Probably also means there will be a "Washington Outsider" candidate in the D Primary to emerge. Someone local.
Have to admit, I would have personally liked Heinrich as Governor if there is to be a D Governor. Expect this race to be fairly competitive in the General with the Ds slightly the favorites. I don't know, I thinks the Rs have the edge here for one simple reason: it's been the trend for decades. Ever since Gary Johnson won back in '94, each governor will serve two terms and then be replaced a member of the opposite party, who will serve two terms. | |||
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I'm a resident of Rio Rancho, not a huge fan of Mayor Gregg Hull, but if he runs and wins the GOP nomination Sandoval county is key to winning statewide for both D and Rs. He could have a leg up. | |||
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SoS Maggie Toulouse Oliver Lt Gov Howie Morales Also termed out but not thinking of a Gov run: Lands Comm Stephanie Garcia Richard The AG, Auditor, and Treasurer are not termed-out and likely running for re-election. | |||
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IndyGeorgia: Is there a general opinion in New Mexico about Haaland's tenure as Secretary of the Interior? I feel like a few Cabinet Secretaries get plaudits, a few Secretaries get trashed, but many skate by unnoticed.
*Cough* Shaun Donovan *Cough* | |||
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IndyGeorgia: Is there a general opinion in New Mexico about Haaland's tenure as Secretary of the Interior? I feel like a few Cabinet Secretaries get plaudits, a few Secretaries get trashed, but many skate by unnoticed.
I don't know if there is this view that she did amazing in her job as Sec of the DoI but she certainly represented a State well that has about 35% of its land federally owned and another 11% that is tribally owned. She also seems to be picking up donors and endorsements from all the places she needs to sew up the nomination quickly. Maybe its part she did well, people are excited for a potential native Governor, and part she did well as Sec DoI because she did no harm. And she probably has a lot of good will as a decent popular Congresswoman from the largest and only population center in a relatively small state (population wise). Here's one political reporters take on the specter of Haaland in the race compared to Susan Martinez who was similarly crowned Governor: The ghost of former Republican Governor Susana Martinez also lurks in the Haaland candidacy. She was the nation's first Hispanic female Governor. She charmed her way into office on a thin record as a District Attorney and a relatable campaign personality that had Hispanic Democrats abandoning their party in droves. Unfortunately, Martinez presided over a mostly failed eight years. For Haaland, the record is not thin--a former state Democratic party chair, a congresswoman and Secretary of Interior. She has been able to bring people together. The question is whether she can transcend her symbolism and also be an agent of change? Does she want to? Her long campaign march could tell the tale. ======= Other notes. I don't expect Keller will run as he's facing a more challenging and divisive race for Mayor this year and won't be heading into next year in a position of strength. Especially if he isn't re-elected. Seems like there is a mood for change developing in ABQ. Bregman could contrast well will Haaland. He'd run to the right of Haaland. Haaland is pretty liberal, even if she is moving to the center. Bregman is a law and order Dem. Loves him some campaigns so he can where a black cowboy hat and walk down the center of streets in ads. | |||
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Bregman is expected to announce his campaign later today in Las Vegas. | |||