Democracy for New Mexico

(Updates x 2) Dem Josh Anderson Seeking Appointment to Berry's House Seat

Update 2: Via Twitter, we learned that Republican Jim White was appointed tonight by the Bernalillo County Commission to the House seat vacated by RJ Berry, by a vote of 4-1 (Hart-Stebbins voted no). Alan Armijo didn't allow any other candidates to be considered due to supposed time constraints. The Commission is dominated by Dems 3-2. I wonder what the outcome would be if the situation were reversed. Do you believe that Republicans would have appointed one of their own to a seat held by a Dem? You know the answer. Read more in a report by Marjorie Childress at NMI.
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Update 1: Please call Bernalillo County Commissioner Alan Armijo at 505-468-7185 and encourage him to appoint well-qualified BernCo resident Josh Anderson to the Mayor-Elect Berry's vacant NM House seat. Armijo will have a big say in the decision.
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We now have at least one Democrat vying for RJ Berry's House seat in District 20. As I mentioned late last night on Twitter and Facebook, AFSCME political director Josh Anderson is actively seeking appointment to the seat vacated yesterday when Albuquerque mayor-elect Berry resigned. 

Instead of representing his District at the Special Session of the New Mexico Legislature that begins at Noon on Saturday, Berry will be devoting his time to putting together a transition team and selecting staff to serve in his administration when he takes office in December. Berry's resignation was somewhat of a surprise as many believed he'd keep his seat until after the Special Session was completed.

Before Anderson came into the picture, there was only one candidate seeking the appointment. Republican Jim White, a 67-year-old retired Air Force colonel has submitted an application to the Bernailillo County Commission. White lost to Berry in the 2006 Republican primary for what was then an open House seat, and has never served in an electoral office. He is a former treasurer of the Republican Party of New Mexico.

Because the HD 20 seat is in Bernalillo County, the Commissions are taking applications for the slot, and will vote to determine who gets the appointment. There are three Democrats and two Republicans on the Board of Commissioners, and no requirement exists to require them to appoint a Republican to succeed Berry.

According to news accounts, the Bernalillo County Commission may vote for a replacement for Berry as early as tonight, at its previously scheduled meeting at 5:00 PM.

It would be wonderful to have a Democrat in Berry's former seat. If you agree, please contact your County Commissioner and put in a good word for Josh Anderson. This is especially important if you live in Berry's District. Click for Commissioner contacts. Click to find your District.

Statement from Chairman Javier Gonzales on the Albuquerque Mayoral Election

Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales released the following statement on the Albuquerque Mayoral election:

"Albuquerque voters today voted overwhelmingly for a Democrat to represent them as their Mayor. Marty Chavez and Richard Romero have received more than 55% of the vote. While there are still votes to be counted, it appears Richard Berry will be the next Mayor of Albuquerque. It is my sincere hope that Mr. Berry will work to unite the city of Albuquerque and respect its diverse population as we continue to make our way through difficult economic times."

Final unofficial results here.

(Updates x 6) Results: 2009 Albuquerque Municipal Election

Update 11:13 PM: Chavez 35.05%; Romero 20.89%% ; Berry 43.88%; 181 Out Of 186 Precincts Counted. Voters approved all the bond issues, the transportation tax extension and the propositions to change the City Charter.
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Update 10:13 PM: Chavez 35.34%; Romero 22.28% ; Berry 42.17%; 132 Out Of 186 Precincts Counted
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Update 9:40 PM: Romero lagging with totals ranging from 23-25%, Chavez at 35-36% and Berry at 39-41% or so. Half of precincts counted.
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Results at 8:30 PM:

Chavez 35.68%; Romero 24.27% ; Berry 39.85% with some more Dem district results in.

Results at 8:12 PM:

Candidate Absentee Early Total Percentage
RICHARD M. ROMERO 1,904 2,594 5,225 23.08%
MARTIN J. CHAVEZ 3,466 3,842 8,102 35.78%
RICHARD J. BERRY 3,994 4,460 9,273 40.95%

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First Number = Early Voting Totals: 7:09 PM
Second Number = Early Voting Plus About 90% of Absentee

    Berry:   40.85% --- 41.62%

    Chavez: 35.19% --- 36.03%

    Romero: 23.76% ---- 22.18%

Latest City Council:

Ike Benton 57.98%; Alan Armijo 42.02%

Dan Lewis 55.47%; Michael Cadigan 44.53%

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You can track the results of today's Albuquerque election at the City Clerk's page. Vote tallies from the precincts should start coming in sometime after 7:00 PM when the polls close.

Results will also be reported by:

• Albuquerque Journal 
• KOB TV-4 
• KOAT 7-News 
• KRQE News-13 
• KUNM 

RACES (Red = Unofficial Winner)

Mayor:

    Martin Chavez (Incumbent)

    Richard Romero

    RJ Berry

City Council District 1

    Ken Sanchez

City Council District 3

    Isaac Benton (Incumbent)

    Alan Armijo

City Council District 5

    Michael Cadigan (Incumbent)

    Dan Lewis

City Council District 7

    Michael D. Cook

    Write-In

City Council District 9

    Don Harris (Incumbent)

    David Barbour

    

Need Voting Info for Today's Albuquerque Municipal Election?

GO HERE

10.6.09 Albuquerque Municipal Election: Voting Information You Need

After all the gnashing of teeth, knocking on doors, robo-calls, debates and discussions, it's time to VOTE in tomorrow's Albuquerque municipal election.

The polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. You must be registered in the City of Albuquerque proper to vote, and you must show a picture ID when you do (see rules).

On the ballot will be the mayor's race, Proposed Amendments to the City Charter, a Proposed Extension of the Quarter Cent Transportation Tax and Proposed Municipal Bonds. If you live in an odd-numbered City Council District, you will also be choosing a city councilor. Click for an official list of candidates and write-ins. If no mayoral candidate gets at least 40% of the vote total, there will be a run-off election on November 24, 2009 between the top two vote getters.

Find Your Polling Place:
Visit the Albuquerque City Clerk's page at www.cabq.gov/clerk/elections to check out the election info and click on the "where do I vote link." You can also go directly to a tool provided by the Bernaillo County Clerk to get the same info. These sources will also tell you in which city council district you reside. If you can't get through to the page, you can call the City of Albuquerque information line at 311, or get the info by calling the Democratic Party of New Mexico at 830-3650 in Albuquerque. Even if you think you know where to vote, please double check as some precinct voting locations may have changed since the last time you voted.

Information on Candidates, Ballot Questions and Bonds:
The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County League of Women Voters has an excellent nonpartisan election guide. The Albuquerque Journal also provides a guide to the election. The City Clerk offers a sample ballot. Note that the slot for City Council will vary, depending on your district.

Absentee Ballots:
If you have an absentee (mail-in) ballot, it must be received by mail or in person at the City Clerk's office by 7:00 PM on Election Day, October 6, 2009. Absentee ballots may only be mailed or hand delivered to the City Clerk's office by the Voter, the Voter's immediate family member or the Voter's care giver. No absentee ballots will be accepted at polling places.

Bill Clinton Records Call, Sends Email Supporting Re-Election of Mayor Martin Chavez

Former President Bill Clinton has recorded a phone call urging Albuquerque voters to support the re-election of Mayor Martin Chavez in Tuesday's municipal election. You can listen to it here:

Clinton also wrote a letter that was sent to supporters via email today. Click for a copy of the email (pdf).

When he was serving as President, Clinton visited Albuquerque many times, including several trips when Chavez was serving his first term as Mayor of Albuquerque. Their friendship is well known. Mayor Chavez also supported Hillary Clinton for President and appeared with President Clinton at a rally for Hillary's campaign at the University of New Mexico's Johnson Center in early 2008.

Mayor Chavez got another high-profile endorsement last week when former DNC Chair and 2004 presidential candidate, Gov. Howard Dean, recorded a call and wrote a guest blog on DFNM supporting Chavez for re-election.

October 4, 2009 at 07:15 PM in 2009 Albuquerque Mayoral Race, Bill Clinton, Martin Chavez | Permalink | Comments (41)

Friday, October 02, 2009

Guest Blog by Sen. Tim Keller: Finding Clarity for Dems in 'Non-Partisan' Mayor's Race

This is a guest blog by State Senator Tim Keller (D, SD-17).

I recently watched the movie “Street Fight, the Corey Booker Story” (a great rental, about the now legendary Mayoral race in Newark) and couldn’t help but reflect on why many people get sick of politicians during city elections. If you think the negativity in ABQ is bad this year, be glad we don’t live in Newark J . The movie also made me consider why this Mayoral race is unique and how partisanship can be a clarifying tool to cut through all the rhetoric.

Given where the numbers are, all Democrats strategically have one overarching objective, one we can all agree on: force a run-off by keeping the GOP candidate from getting 40%.

In a runoff, either Dem should win given our city demographics and a good grassroots effort (think Obama, Heinrich, etc). Both Dem candidates, regardless of their histories, have Democratic public records.

Whether a Dem votes for Chavez or Romero, it won’t have an effect on holding Berry below 40%.

I love passionate debates and action packed campaigns, but this late in the game Dem bitter infighting will only help the GOP. It drives down Dem turnout (frustrated, disillusioned people usually don’t vote). The important thing for both candidates right now is to pull votes away from the GOP candidate or else the Dems are out.

The numbers reality for Dems is that we have the equivalent of a Democratic primary. If you’re tired of all the negativity, and tired of politicians, there is clarity: vote for sure, pick a Dem based on your conscience, save your vehemence for the runoff against the GOP, and unite behind the Dem winner after Tuesday.

This is a guest blog by State Sen. Tim Keller. If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the page. To see a collection of guest blogs published on the DFNM blog, visit our archive.

October 2, 2009 at 08:58 AM in 2009 Albuquerque Mayoral Race, Guest Blogger, Martin Chavez, Richard Romero | Permalink | Comments (10)

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Tonight: LGBT Reception for Marty Chavez for Mayor

From LGBT Marty Party:
You are invited to a an event for City of Albuquerque Mayoral candidate Marty Chavez. This is a non-fundraising event for members, friends and supporters of the LGBT community, to come together in celebration and unity.

Thursday, October 1, 2009
Beautiful Roof Top Deck of the Sunrise Bank Building
219 Central Ave. NW
5:00 - 7:30 PM
Master of Ceremonies Mr. Donnie Chase
Please RSVP to LGBTMartyParty@gmail.com
Click for FLYER (jpg) with more information

Hosted by members and friends of the LGBT community: James Hallinan, Sara Manns, Jesse Lopez, John Flemming, Brian Morris, John Chester, Jim Maddox, Brian Brown, Keith and Andre West-Harrison, Carrie Wells, Larry Stone, AJ Carian, Brian Johnson, Jim Sutton, Donnie Chase, Maggie Smith, Douglas Jones, Lynette and Ellen Curley-Roam

October 1, 2009 at 01:07 PM in 2009 Albuquerque Mayoral Race, Events, GLBT Rights, Martin Chavez | Permalink | Comments (3)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Guest Blog on Voting for Romero in ABQ Mayoral Election: Why it Matters

This is a group guest blog submitted by the individual politicos listed at the end of the post.

We need a progressive change at City Hall. That’s why we need Richard Romero for mayor.

The legacy of the past eight years can be captured in a few words that say so much about the values that have held sway in the mayor’s office during this critical time in our history: ABQPAC. Fighting the minimum wage increase. Blocking ethics reforms. Tax giveaways to SunCal. Unplanned and unfettered sprawl in a time of finite water resources.

That is why we are compelled to write today.

There is a progressive alternative. We know both Democratic candidates. We trust Richard Romero. He has the stature, the character and the values to lead Albuquerque in the right direction.

And his campaign has demonstrated it has what it takes to bring home the prize and secure a sustainable future. The recent Journal poll now makes it clear that Richard has the momentum to win this race.

What a breath of fresh air he will be!

Let’s review his record:

• As a State Senator he fought to increase minimum wage.
• He carried the collective bargaining bill allowing state workers to organize.
• He’s an education reformer who has championed our public schools and supported innovative charter schools.
• Serving on the board of Public Campaign, he was in the forefront, helping to lead the fight to pass clean elections public financing reform in Albuquerque.

We are proud progressives and long-time supporters of Democracy for New Mexico and the incredible work that Barb and her colleagues have done for our cause. Nevertheless, on this matter of vital importance and urgency, we disagree strongly with Barbara's personal endorsement in the mayor’s race that was posted on this blog. We asked for the opportunity to do this guest post to make it crystal clear that Barbara does not speak for us on this issue.

We stand with Richard Romero, a longtime fighter for progressive issues who we can count on. He’s what Albuquerque needs.

City Councilor Debbie O’Malley
City Councilor Rey Garduñdo
City Councilor Michael Cadigan
Representative Mimi Stewart
Representative Danice Picraux
Representative Eleanor Chavez
Sen. Dede Feldman
Sen. Eric Griego
Sen. Cisco McSorley
Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino
Sen. Tim Keller
Judy Espinoza, former NM Sec. of the Environment and candidate for Mayor

This is a group guest blog from the people listed above. If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the page.

BW Note: Just to be clear, my earlier post about my decision to vote for Marty Chavez was a personal statement by me. As most people know, the DFNM blog is an independent entity written and managed by me. The blog is not to be confused with the DFA-DFNM Meetup group which only issues formal endorsements based on the vote of our active members. I've had this statement posted for many moons at the About Democracy for New Mexico link at the upper left-hand corner of the page.

To see previous DFNM coverage of the 2009 Albuquerque Mayoral race, please visit our archive.

September 30, 2009 at 02:43 PM in 2009 Albuquerque Mayoral Race, Guest Blogger, Local Politics, Richard Romero | Permalink | Comments (45)

Guest Blog by Howard Dean: Why I'm Supporting Marty Chavez

This is a guest blog by Howard Dean, who has chaired the DNC, was a presidential candidate in 2004 and served six terms as Governor of Vermont. An MD, Howard is currently a key player in the battle for health care reform and the public option. He serves on the board of the Progressive Book Club and has reconnected with Democracy for America, the grassroots advocacy group that emerged from his presidential campaign's Dean for America.

As the former Chair of the Democratic National Committee, I have had the privilege of traveling across the country. I have witnessed the best of America and I have also seen how rare it is to meet a public servant who delivers on his word. Mayor Martin Chavez is one of those rare public servants. Eight years ago, Marty Chavez came into office and changed “business as usual” at City Hall. After inheriting a major budget crisis, Chavez has kept his word by balancing the budget while protecting, and even expanding, important priorities like local jobs creation, after-school programs, seniors’ services, and public safety – fulfilling his commitment of having 1100 police officers for the city of Albuquerque.

When other urban areas are struggling with job loss and broken school systems, Chavez has ushered in an era of unprecedented job growth and economic development in the Duke City. Bringing high-paying jobs from manufacturing to Sony Studios, he clearly understands that when times are tough, real leaders roll-up their sleeves and get to work.

Mayor Chavez understands that investing in Albuquerque’s future not only means recruiting good-paying jobs, but also investing in our children and a strong educational system. That’s why he has taken unprecedented steps to promote positive initiatives between the City, APS and our private and charter schools as well as CNM and UNM. He founded the first New Mexico Charter School with an emphasis on Math and Science at UNM—the Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science (AIMS). In May, AIMS graduated its first class with each and every student going to college. That’s a proven track record we should all support.

I'm impressed with Mayor Chavez' commitment to combating catastrophic climate change. He embodies the sentiment of thinking globally and acting locally. I know some of his critics claim that it's all hype. That's just not true. You don't win awards like "Greenest City in America" from the US Conference of Mayors because your city has good PR, you win awards like that because you have a mayor that's taking action and leading in the fight against catastrophic climate change. Thanks to Mayor Chavez, 20% of Albuquerque's energy comes from wind, bus ridership is up and the buses are energy efficient, the city is only buying alternative fuel vehicles and it's required that all new and renovated city buildings meet green building standards. Those are real, progressive accomplishments and they show that you have a Mayor who thinks globally and acts locally.

To keep our children safe in and out of school, Chavez has worked with the Albuquerque Police Department, the Albuquerque school system, and local technology experts to stop child predators and inform parents and children how to protect against cyberstalking.

For our parents and grandparents, Chavez has expanded in-home services for the elderly, increased access to senior health services through new senior centers, and lowered the age for benefits to 55. These initiatives have become a model for cities around the country.

As the Governor who signed the first in the nation civil unions law, I am impressed with Mayor Chavez' commitment to equal rights. As Mayor, he has ensured that the city provides benefits to all couples.

I am proud to endorse Mayor Martin Chavez because he has had the vision and leadership not only to transform Albuquerque but to also realize that Albuquerque’s future has no limits. Chavez finds solutions to our most pressing problems – even in tough times – and gets results. Under his leadership, Albuquerque is making progress, but there’s more to be done.

Mayor Chavez has proven that his vision for Albuquerque is as vast as the city’s skyline. His experience gives him the best tools to build upon all his successes. At the end of the day, this election is not about Chavez or any of the other candidates. It’s about you, your family, your neighbors, and the future your city. It is your support this coming Tuesday, October 6th, that will ensure Albuquerque’s best days remain ahead.

This is a guest blog by Howard Dean. If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the page.

September 30, 2009 at 10:41 AM in 2009 Albuquerque Mayoral Race, Democratic Party, DFA, Guest Blogger, Howard Dean, Martin Chavez | Permalink | Comments (36)

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