Democracy for New Mexico

Today Oct.1: Jim Dean is in NM to Help Mary Ellen Broderick Win HD30

Jim Dean Chairman of Democracy for America (DFA) is coming to Albuquerque to host an event for Mary Ellen Broderick, the democratic candidate for House District 30.

DFA in their usual 50 state strategy is coming to New Mexico to help Mary Ellen Broderick win her race for HD30, not only is Jim Dean hosting the event, he may canvass with Mary Ellen time permitting. Mary Ellen is running  a true "People Powered campaign". She is working tirelessly to be the next State Representative of District 30.

Mary Ellen is thrilled to have Jim Dean the Chairman of Democracy for America in New Mexico to help her win this important seat in the heart of the heights of Albuquerque.

Please come invest in Mary Ellen's campaign and sign up to volunteer.

Karen Montoya, the Democratic Candidate for PRC

Karen Montoya, the Democratic candidate for PRC (Public Regulation Commission) in District 1 is a 14th generation New Mexican, a mother of two daughters and has two beautiful grandchildren.

Bernalillo County Assessor Montoya was elected to her second term in 2010 and is the first woman to hold this office.

Karen's top priority is to restore integrity to the PRC and to protect hard working New Mexican's against unfair and unwarranted rate hikes on energy, phone, gas and insurance-while protecting the environment.

Karen believes the science of global warming is clear. She is concerned about those who would un-do the renewable energy standards that are in place -standards vital to protecting New Mexico as well as the Earth's climate. The opportunity to make New Mexico a leader in renewable energy such as solar, bio-mass and wind will be good for both our environment and our economy creating hundreds of good paying jobs.

The record of saving taxpayers money through her support of “Tax Lightning” as County Assessor reflects Karen’s attitude of fighting for the citizens of New Mexico. Karen’s opponent with his lack of experience and anti-renewable statements- has made the choice very clear.

In endorsing Karen Montoya for the PRC, Commissioner Jason Marks stated “Karen Montoya has got what it takes to be an effective PRC Commissioner for District 1. Karen will fight against excessive utility rate increases, and she'll promote renewable energy. I'm proud to endorse Karen Montoya to succeed me on the PRC.”

9/14: Women, Wine and Chocolate!

Emerge New Mexico Annual Celebration

If you want women in office you must buy tickets to this event! If you are a Man and want to be part of the Emerge Men's Alliance click here!

Also Emerge Men's Alliance is hosting the Bake Sale at Women,Wine and Chocolate 2012.

The Emerge Men's Alliance are a group of men who believe in the power of Democratic women, and support empowering women to be leaders through the work they do to support women professionally and personally, and through their generous and steadfast support of Emerge.

Members of the Emerge Men's Alliance affirm that by sharing power, resources, and knowledge, our communities will benefit from women's leadership. Emerge sincerely thanks the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Emerge Men's Alliance, Senator Jeff Bingaman and Senator Tom Udall, who have stood up for women's rights time and time again and are standing up once again to lead this important group of allies. Please view the members of the Emerge Men's Alliance below, and if you'd like to join this group, it's not too late!

Come join us for this important great event. Support women running for offices. We will have fun and be around strong women who have determination to break through the glass ceiling of politics. From the school boards to congress; women are on the move to represent and fight for our communities!

NM State Supreme Court Candidates at Bernalillo Co Dem Forum - Part 3 - Closing Arguments

On Thursday August 16, 2012, the Bernalillo County Democratic Party hosted a candidate forum for the 5 individuals vying to be the democratic nominee for the newest New Mexico Supreme Court Justice.

This is Part 3 a continuation of previous post Part 1 and then previous post Part 2.

Part 3 here encompasses the closing statements from each candidate. Listen closely.

Chief Judge Barbara Vigil closing statement below: 

Cate Stetson closing statement below:

Victor Lopez closing statement below:

John Kelly closing statement below:

Michelle Hernandez closing statement below:

NM State Supreme Court Candidates at Bernalillo Co Dem Forum - Part 2

On Thursday August 16, 2012, the Bernalillo County Democratic Party hosted a candidate forum for the 5 individuals vying to be the democratic nominee for the newest New Mexico Supreme Court Justice.

This is Part 2 a continuation of a previous post.

Question 3: What do you think is the most important responsiblity of the NM State Supreme Court justice and how do you plan to fullfill this responsibility?

Michelle Hernandez response to question 3 below:

John Kelly response to question 3 below:

Victor Lopez response to question 3 below:

Cate Stetson response to question 3 below:

Chief Judge Vigil response to question 3 below:

Question 4: What is your position on campaign finance reform?

Chief Judge Vigil response to question 4 below:

 

Cate Stetson response to question 4 below:

Victor Lopez response to question 4 below:

John Kelly response to question 4 below:

Michelle Hernandez response to question 4 below:

Question 5: What is your experience as a lawyer or a Judge prepares you to be the next Supreme Court Justice?

Michelle Hernandez response to question 5 below:

John Kelly response to question 4 below:

Victor Lopez response to question 5 below:

Cate Stetson response to question 5 below:

Chief Judge Vigil response to question 5 below:

NM State Supreme Court Candidates at Bernalillo Co Dem Forum - Part 1

On Thursday August 16, 2012, the Bernalillo County Democratic Party hosted a candidate forum for the 5 individuals vying to be the democratic nominee for the newest New Mexico Supreme Court Justice.

In mid June 2012 Supreme Court Justice Patricio Serna announced he is retiring from the state's highest court after serving 16 years. There are currently five Justices serving on the NM Supreme Court. The existing court is comprised of one woman and 4 men. Both political parties have until Sept. 11 to nominate a candidate to be on the November 6 election ballot.

It is the Democratic State Central Committee consisting of slightly over 400 members who will be deciding on who will be on the ballot in November. The democratic candidates to replace Justice Serna are all superb.

Following are abbreviated synopsis of the 5 candidates. Listen to the videos for detailed information.

• Michelle Hernandez is an attorney and worked as a judicial law clerk for the Supreme Court. Michelle currently practices law and is a shareholder at the Modrell Sperling Law firm read her bio here.
• John Kelly is a former US Attorney during Clinton administration. John has a diverse legal background, he also practices law and is a shareholder at the Modrell Sperling Law firm read his bio here.
• Victor Lopez is currently a Workers Compensation Administration Judge. Victor has 28yrs experience in law and you can read more about him here.
• Cate Stetson has her own practice Stetson Law Offices, she pracitices all types of law to help the underclass. She has been very active in the democratic party for years and in a number of ways.
• Judge Barbara Vigil is currently Chief Judge of New Mexico’s First Judicial District Court. Judge Vigil first became a judge in 2000 and was retained in 2008.

At the forum there were five questions asked as well as an opening and closing statement. Below is part 1 of the coverage - including opening statements and questions 1 and 2.

Opening Statements each 2 min: 

Intro Michelle Hernandez below:

Intro John Kelly Below: 

Intro Victor Lopez below:

Intro Cate Stetson below:

Intro Judge Barbara Vigil below:

Question 1:  Do you believe that the Judicial nominating process is a good way for selecting judges? If so why and why not?

Q1 Michelle Hernandez below:

Q1 John Kelly below:

Q1 Victor Lopez below:

Q1 Cate Stetson below:

Q1 Judge Barbara Vigil below:

Question 2: What limits do you believe exist on the power of the judiciary and on the NM Supreme court justices?

Q2 Judge Vigil below:

Q2 Cate Stetson below:

Q2 Victor Lopez below:

Q2 John Kelly below:

Q2 Michelle Hernandez below:

 

Help Me Fight The War on Women!, Guest Blog by Marci Blaze

Marci Blaze candidate for NM House of Representatives District 23.

I'm running for the New Mexico House of Representatives. There are many reasons I decided to enter the race...but among the most important is to fight for myself and all women in this state in the battle that is being waged against us today. I have "enlisted" as a legislative candidate to ensure that the rights of women in New Mexico are acknowledged and upheld.

What does this war look like? 

First and foremost, it is characterized by attempts to turn back decades of gains in the rights and status of women across the board. These efforts to turn back the clock on American women have focused largely on reproductive rights. But they are now also taking aim at the growing roles of women in the workplace, in the family and in government. Anti-woman proposals that have been brewing for years are currently receiving support by a variety of right wing individuals and organizations, including mainstream presidential candidates. Rights that women have come to take for granted – like the right to access birth control – are under attack for the first time in decades.

In New Mexico, this war is evident in:

• 18,000 incidents of domestic violence reported to law enforcement every year...but even as this number continues to grow, funding for domestic violence service and offender treatment programs remains inadequate;
• a 15% higher than average number of sexual assaults against children...yet there has been no substantial increase in services for or prevention of these assaults in nine years;
• a State legislature that continues to try to intrude in women's lives...to make decisions for them as regards reproduction and birth control. Although an overwhelming majority of women believe that such decisions should be made solely between themselves and the doctors of their choosing, lawmakers are inserting themselves into the process, insisting that they know what is best;
• a reluctance to insist that health insurance providers cover women's health needs, specifically backing away from some preventative measures and screenings as essential health benefits;
• pay inequality and indifference to job growth geared specifically to women. According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research in Washington, DC, New Mexico has the 7th worst economy in the nation for women. That means we fall behind 43 other states in economic well-being.

Again, this war is not limited to New Mexico...it is going on across the country. These renewed assaults on women are unacceptable and they can be stopped. American women aren’t ready to see their hard-won rights slip away, and they aren’t willing to be painted as scapegoats for the nation’s problems. And every state wherein women succeed in winning and protecting their rights will impact the ability of the next state to do the same.

Please help me fight the War on Women...for myself, for New Mexicans, and for women across the country and the men who care about them. Mothers, daughters, sisters and friends...our freedom and our health is at risk and we must be the first line of defense to protect both. If you agree and want to join my campaign to end the war on women click here: http://www.marciblaze.com/Contact.html

 

Native American Democratic Caucus Fundraiser for the Delegates

Great cause! Please help our Native American Dem Caucus get their delegates to North Carolina.

Michelle Hernandez for Supreme Court

Lifelong Democrat Michelle Hernandez Announces Bid for Supreme Court

Native New Mexican Michelle Hernandez will seek election to the New Mexico Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Patricio Serna.

Michelle grew up in Taos, Gallup and Albuquerque. Living under modest circumstances, she learned the value of hard work and a great education. She has deep family roots throughout New Mexico.

Michelle graduated from the University of New Mexico, magna cum laude, attended the University of California Los Angeles law school, and received a scholarship in recognition for pioneering women in the law.

Following law school, Michelle served as a judicial clerk for the Supreme Court and Justice Joseph F. Baca where she assisted in numerous opinions. Justice Baca and Michelle became lifelong friends, and he has endorsed her candidacy. As a law clerk, she worked on several landmark decisions including the Johnson case, where the Court held former Governor Gary Johnson in contempt of court for unlawfully forcing poor people off public assistance.

In endorsing Michelle, Justice Baca said, "I have known Michelle Hernandez since she was my law clerk in 1997. I am proud to call her my good friend. She is uniquely qualified to serve on our Supreme Court. She works hard, listens to people and is a brilliant lawyer. She cares deeply about her community and will make an excellent Supreme Court Justice."

After working at the Supreme Court, Michelle began a career at the prestigious Modrall Sperling Law firm where she gained valuable experience as an appellate and trial attorney. She has become a nationally recognized expert in complex health care law matters. She also represented women seeking to escape abusive relationships.

Michelle believes her hands-on experience at the Supreme Court, combined with her many years in private practice make her an excellent candidate for New Mexico's highest court. "The Supreme Court needs Justices who have been in the trenches representing clients, and who have been involved in drafting opinions. I bring a unique combination of both to the job."

Michelle is active in her community, having worked on democratic campaigns, as a Member of the Hispanic National Bar Association and as a founding director of Emerge New Mexico.

On August 25, the New Mexico Democratic Party State Central Committee will select a candidate for Supreme Court, who will appear on the November ballot opposite whomever Governor Martinez appoints to fill the vacancy. Michelle draws on her humble beginnings and her hard working family as inspiration.

"I was born in Albuquerque, but my family is from Taos, which is where I started school. Growing up my father worked as a high school teacher, laid adobes in the summer and later managed fast food restaurants. After living in a trailer in Gallup for a short time, we moved back to Albuquerque, and I graduated from Del Norte High School. My mother returned to work outside the house after I graduated and retired from the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union as a secretary about four years ago. I will never forget my responsibility to remember those who are working their way out of poverty like my parents did."

At UNM, Michelle served as a recruiter for the Minority Recruitment and Retention Office. She served on the local advance team for the Clinton Gore Campaign for several events.

Michelle was active at UCLA as member of the La Raza Law Students Association. She advocated for the admission of Latino law students and worked against the discriminatory California ballot propositions of the mid-1990s.

Michelle was inspired to run by Justice Baca's and Justice Serna's humble beginnings, love of New Mexico and enormous achievements. She looks to Justice Petra Maes as a trailblazer and the first Latina Justice of the Supreme Court.

Please visit http://www.hernandezforsupremecourt.com/ for more information or to contact Michelle Hernandez email HernandezforSupremeCourt@gmail.com.

07/11: Bill Tallman Campaign Kickoff

New Mexico House of Representatives Now More Than Ever

Ok....the republicans have got to deal with the huge Supreme Court opinion that "Obamacare" is the law of the land. God forbid ordinary people recieve healthcare. They have promised to keep that fight going, both on the Federal level and surely the State level and they will.

Open up the Journal today and read that Schott Solar is closing, more than 200 jobs gone in Albuquerque today. This is bad beyond believe. Of all industry that should be thriving is the making of solar panels. How incredibly sad that these jobs are going under.

Every republican that does not vote for green energy jobs, and who continues to be bought off by oil and gas should be voted out.

Now is the time folks. We know the positions of the republicans within the state and within the federal government. The hysteria from the republicans yesterday over the decision yesterday is real, they are furious about our socialists government.

The backlash from the republicans regarding this decision is going to be huge, and it is going to be in the form of money to smear every democrat that wants to bring jobs and dignity and security to our citizens.

So I ask you please contribute to Elect Mary Ellen Broderick HD30 or to whoever is the strong person in your district who is fighting against the republican fear machine. We must hold on to the NM House of Representatives Now More Than Ever.

 

Guest Blog: Please Help Me Defend The House by Representative Brian Egolf

An important message from Rep. Brian Egolf.

May 16, 2012,  Dear Friends,

New Mexico is at a critical crossroads, and I am writing to ask for your urgent help. In this last session, Democrats held only a narrow margin in the State House of Representatives: 36:34. With the upcoming November election, that slim majority is under dire threat. Democrats already lost one seat in redistricting, so we must gain seats in November or there will be a Republican Speaker of the House, and Governor Martinez will have the rubber stamp legislature she wants. We cannot risk losing control to a Tea Party-controlled Republican majority.

Because this threat is so serious, I have started a PAC, called the New Mexico Defense Fund. Its mission is to preserve and grow our House Majority and thus stop the divisive political agenda pushed by Republicans around the country today – the war on women, the deep cuts in critical education funding, the elimination of important programs to support a strong middle class, the restriction of minority voting rights and the denial of civil rights to citizens. I cannot sit back and just wait for this to happen in here, so I am asking you to join me in a very important fight. All funds raised will directly support Democratic State House candidates in critical seats this fall.

If Republicans pick up even one seat, I will lose Chairmanship of the House Energy & Natural Resources Committee and be replaced by an anti-conservation Republican. I would no longer be able to use my position to stop Governor Martinez’s overt efforts to roll back common sense environmental protections that keep our water and natural resources safe. Other important committees would also be chaired by Republicans, and that means the Governor’s Tea-Party agenda will sail through the legislature.

Please stand with me on May 29 at our kick-off fundraiser and be as generous as possible. It will be at the home of Debbie Fleischaker & Kathleen Fontaine from 5:30 - 7:00 (details are in the invitation, attached here). I know that the demands on political donors right now are as high as ever. Nevertheless, raising funds and using them strategically and deliberately to hold onto the State House is critically important to our future.

Your invitation to the event is enclosed along with a remittance envelope in case you are unable to attend but would like to contribute. Please note that the envelopes are addressed to my campaign, but if you make you check payable to the New Mexico Defense Fund or make a similar notation for credit card payment on the envelope, your generous contribution will be used directly to support other worthy Democrats in key races.

As always, I am grateful for your support and your help with this critical endeavor.

Sincerely, Brian

P.S. In the span of 15 years, Texas quickly became a Red state after nearly 120 years of solid Democratic control. Please don’t think that it couldn’t happen here and make your contribution today to the New Mexico Defense Fund.