HARRIET & RAY RUIZ
Friends of the well-liked State Rep. Ray Ruiz packed into the Rosary Catholic Church on ABQ's Westside Wednesday to say farewell to the friend of New Mexico working men and women. It was the biggest ABQ political funeral since Congressman Schiff's farewell in 98.' Ruiz died of lung cancer over the weekend at the age of 65. Here are the details on the funeral from friends of Ruiz on the scene.

"It seemed like the whole Roundhouse was there with as many as a couple dozen legislators joining hundreds of other mourners to pay their respects."

"House Speaker Lujan led the contingent. Coming up from Cruces was Joe Cervantes, Andy Nunez and Mary Helen Garcia. Ray's longtime buddies, (Rep's.) Saavedra and Dan Silva were there as were (Rep's.) Beam, Sandoval, Miera, Picraux, Martinez, Cordova, Hanosh and Tom Anderson from the Westside. Many labor union leaders from around NM also came."

"I think everyone was pleased to see so many Republicans on hand. Ray did not vote with them but he commanded their respect and their friendship. Senators Cararro and Cravens came. From the House, Teresa Zanetti, Larry Larranaga, Bob White and Janice Arnold-Jones."

Another Ruiz friend said Attorney General Patsy Madrid, ex- AG David Norvell and former Governor Dave Cargo also showed. Governor Bill also made a brief appearance and sat next to Ruiz's widow, Harriet. The Guv did not speak, nor were there any eulogies, other than the one delivered by the attending priest.

RUIZ' WIDOW READY FOR ROUNDHOUSE

As is tradition, talk turned to politics after the funeral. One attendee said one topic was the future of Harriet Ruiz, Ray's widow, who has announced she will seek to be appointed to fill her husbands term. That appointment would be made by the Bernalillo County Commission.

"It's a done deal," said our source. "There are no other candidates. Out of respect for Ray, they will make room for her. What happens two years down the road is a different story."

County Commissioner Alan Armijo, at the top of the ladder in ABQ Westside politics, will pave the way for Harriet, said the insider. The Democratic Party Central Committee is also expected to name Harriet as the candidate to replace her husband on the Fall ballot.

Her probable appointment had me thinking and asking about when the last time a widow of a legislator or other high elected official in our state had succeeded her dead husband. My veteran politicos said they could not think of any case in modern memory.

I remember in 1980 when Congressman Runnels died and his widow Dorothy asked to be appointed to fill his shoes, but the Democratic Party Central Committee rejected her. Runnels was replaced by Joe Skeen, who ran as a write-in candidate and who passed away in December.

Pro golfer Notah Begay was not seen at the Ruiz funeral by my reporters. But he surely is mourning the loss of Ruiz. Friends say Ray, an avid golfer, helped teach Notah the game, along with his own son, when the golf star lived near Ladera golf course. As Ruiz lay on his death bed, Notah was breaking out of a two year slump caused by a bad back and finished in the top ten at the Wachovia tournament. It was probably one of the last golf reports Ruiz ever heard and it had to bring him comfort as death came to stake its claim.

DEATH FELLS EX-REP AND GOP HEAVY BOYD SCOTT

Another passing of a major NM political figure occurred last week up in Farmington as Boyd Scott, the former mayor of that city and a nine year veteran of the State House (1974-85), died at the age of 92. Scott was a major player in NM Republican Party politics in his day. Working on GOP campaigns in the 70's and 80's, I recall how you went no where in San Juan County without Boyd Scott by your side. His blessing meant respect and votes.

Scott served as a mentor to Bill Fulginiti, executive director of the NM Municipal League, who told the Farmington Daily Times from Santa Fe: “That was invaluable. He was always good with municipal legislation. This is my 28th year here. I still think of Scottie. We’ll miss him. He was quite a guy.”

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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