Thompson
Battle lines are drawn in the GOP fight for the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) seat being vacated by Herb Hughes, with Ex-Guv Gary Johnson emerging as a warrior for State Rep. Joe Thompson. In return, Johnson is drawing zingers from Thompson's main challenger, Hess Yntema, in what will be a banner race in the June 1 primary.

Responding to Johnson's e-mail for Thompson urging R's to sign Joe's petitions, Yntema fires back "that I have been a Republican longer than Gary Johnson" and "I am discouraged" by Gary's interference in an intraparty battle. "Perhaps he doesn't know all the candidates that are in the race." Yntema chided.

Of course, he knows who is in the race. Thompson was a loyal soldier for Gary, carrying his controversial drug legalization bills. Among other R's signing up for Thompson's cause, according to the e-mail, are state House GOP leader Ted Hobbs, ABQ State Rep's Rory Ogle, Larry Larranaga and Eric Youngberger. Larranaga faces a tough fight for re-nomination against former Rep. Rob Burpo. Hobbs may face a fight next year to stay on as minority leader. Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White has signed up as Thompson's treasurer.

Thompson will need their help. Yntema, a former two-term ABQ City councilor has earned a good deal of name ID and newspaper praise for his push for ethical government. And, he says the PRC race is going to be about "the independence"" of the PRC which has been tarnished by conflict-of interest charges. Yntema let it be known he will be looking at Thompson's campaign contributions closely to see "if any of the money he previously collected for his legislative races will be funneled to his PRC bid," and whether any of that money came from industries the PRC regulates.

The Thompson-Johnson alliance is interesting. Gary is not exactly a unifying figure in the GOP, but the candidate who can peel off a good deal of the conservative GOP vote in the three way PRC race could be positioned to score the win in a low-turnout election. Yntema has a lot of good will among R's who are fond of his straight-arrow ways, but he will need to raise money to make his case. Thompson seems assured of outspending the maverick Hess. But newspaper endorsements and a Mr. Clean image in a race for a position on a panel that has been mired in ethical mishaps will make Hess a major player and perhaps the early favorite. Utility lawyer Ward Camp is the other contender in the race.

It used to be that endorsing a fellow Republican in a contested primary was verboten. But Pete Domenici rewrote the rule book when he interfered in the congressional primary in 98' to back Heather Wilson. And now Gary is doing the same. And what about Gary's political future, if he wants one? Another run at governor appears unlikely. But a self-financed run for U.S. Senate might be a peak that calls to the Everest climbing athlete. Note that I said "self-financed. Gary is not into team sports.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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