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Friday, April 19, 2013

Roxanne Lara for NM Democratic Party State Chair

Images   Images sam b
It is that time once more, for the Democrats of New Mexico to meet up to choose their State Party Chair. The Meeting will be held in Las Cruces on April 27th. This is the meeting where the chose individuals from the state focal board of trustees meet up and vote in a seat, this year there are two running Roxanne Lara from Eddy County, and Sam Bregman from Bern County.

Roxanne’s background and info can be seen at Lara4nm.com and her facebook page here. And here is a link to Sam’s facebook page. Much of his campaign info has been cross posted to his FB page as well as his very often newsletter "thoughts from sam."

Number one job for a state party chair is to help democrats get elected to offices up and down the ballot. I believe that a democrat should support a democrat running for an elected office, especially in these times of such division. Division on marriage equality, division on immigration, division on a woman’s right to choose, and gun control, division on energy matters, education and taxes. You name it the democrats and republicans are much divided on the issue.

While running for the HD 30 seat last year as a democrat one of the people running for state party chair was in the closet as a supporter of my campaign. He could not outwardly support my campaign because his alliance was with his law partner, and his law partner was a good friend of my republican opponent for HD30. At least that is what Sam told me was his reason he could not outwardly support me. I must admit Sam’s allegiance to his law partner was unwavering which is commendable. However when you are running for the position of State Party Chair all other promises, pledges, alliances must be trumped by your allegiance to help democratic candidates get into office. Period, and I ask - can Sam do that? Will Sam do that?

Now Sam is a nice enough guy for sure. He has done great things for the Dem Party. He loves to be generous to people. He is a brilliant lawyer, and I would hate to ever cross him. Probably so for other sitting elected officials that have endorsed him. His messaging regarding Gov. Martinez is very strong. But it is time to have a woman’s voice of reason be at the helm on the NM State Dem Party. A reasoned leader not someone who is like the big bad wolves; I’ll huff and puff and blow your house down.

Third strike for Sam is about money in politics. Now Sam has done well for himself and his family and that is fantastic. But I have heard from friends that Sam is “throwing money around” now I doubt that is true but I can see him being generous with some SCC members to persuade them he would be the better candidate. Like let’s say a night at his box suite for an Isotopes game. Or some other form of persuasion. All well and good but money in politics today is a huge problem. What politician would stand up against Bregman now when they are going to need a donation soon? Yuck. No more money in politics. It is obscene where we are as a country with money in politics and policy.

Roxanne can raise the money needed to have a strong Dem party and run strong elections. Roxanne will support every democrat across the state, period, regardless of colleague bonds and affiliations. Roxanne is "tough as nails" and she can take on the Governor more effectively than Sam. Roxanne spent the last four years fighting for what's right as a Democrat in a red county dominated by men in politics. Roxanne is assertive, she will not shrink from defending our democratic values, she will be firm and unwavering, and in my humble opinion she will be more effective and methodical which will achieve greater results.

Lastly, I believe more democratic woman should be in positions of leadership in our world, in our country and in the great state of NM.

So there you have it, I wholeheartedly endorse Roxanne Lara for State Party Chair. Let’s have a woman lead the Democratic Party for the next two years.

April 19, 2013 at 03:02 PM in Candidates & Races, Democrat, Democratic Party | Permalink

Comments

OLe Sam he thinks his money can buy him everything he wants. How many SCC members have been promised a job from Sam the truth is the NMDP only has 4 employees so the more than 30 folks that have been promised a job might be SOL.

Posted by: Rico | Apr 19, 2013 5:07:23 PM

Right on MEB ! This guy wants nothing more than to satisfy his own ego. His loyalties lie with self interest . The party needs a true public servant . I will vote for " Rocky " !

Posted by: Seff | Apr 19, 2013 6:20:00 PM

I totally agree, we have a great women candidate like Miss Lara running, every women in New Mexico needs to stand proud and support her. Does anyone know what the gender make up is for the State Central Comm. members is?
Christy

Posted by: Christy | Apr 20, 2013 10:21:57 AM

Christy, I am new to the state central committee. I can't tell you what the proportions of male to female are, but I believe they make a concerted effort to make it 50-50. I know that, if a man is elected party chair the party vice chair must be a woman, and vice versa. I appreciate that intentional balance.

MEB, I appreciate reading your take on this race. I've been disturbed by the amount of time both candidates have spent talking about which of them could raise the most money for the party, when money in politics is one of the most intractable problems with our democracy. I sent them both Lawrence Lessig's TED talk about the issue. And I'm very sorry to hear that Sam declined to endorse and support your race because your opponent was a friend of a friend. Given how slim our party's lead is in the legislature, that was an incomprehensible decision on his part.

My main concerns as a new committee member are that the party declare its principles unequivocally – pro education, pro women's rights, pro marriage equality, pro science, pro environment, pro jobs, pro gun control, pro campaign finance reform – and then stand behind them; and that we put forth the most qualified, honest candidates we can find within our party; and that we hold our own members accountable when their actions reflect badly on the party, instead of closing ranks behind the worst representatives of our party.

As always, ME, your heartfelt take on the issues is valuable and appreciated.

Posted by: John McAndrew | Apr 23, 2013 7:33:56 AM