A snoozy weekend in August was snazzed up by plotting politicos from both ends of the big Duke City with the Valley Alligators settling scores as they selected a candidate to replace James Taylor in the State House, and the normally placid Republican precincts of the far NE Heights getting rocked by a call to arms from a Democratic State Rep contender. First, to that playground of politics, the South Valley.

There, we find Ernest Chavez nearly gloating over his victory over Diego "Dickie" Gallegos at Sunday's Democratic Party central committee meeting where Chavez garnered 24 votes out of a possible 34 with Gallegos, brother of Bernalillo County Commission Steve Gallegos, getting just six. "I knew the people and visited them," the 67 year old politico told me as he basked in victory. "My opponents did not have it together," added Chavez, who did indeed have it together as he walked into the meeting with 16 proxies ensuring an easy score.

Gallegos, who previously lost a bid for county commission in the Valley, now is 0 for two. He licked his wounds via cell phone saying his political career may be over, but his real career, as an assistant superintendent at Albuquerque Public School's, is not. "The real job I want is superintendent of APS and I intend to have it some day," declared the 53 year old who was the behind-the-scenes favorite of Big Bill but got a late start and was outmaneuvered by the veteran Chavez, himself a member of the central committee, who started working the phones a month ago.

VALLEY POST-MORTEM

Speaking of outmaneuvering, the Alligators were on the hotline with me right after the vote with a couple of them talking up State Senator and Bernalillo County Dem Party Chair Linda Lopez. "She is not unhappy to see Chavez beat Dickie. If you look at the votes, Diego's half-dozen came from supporters of the Governor's. Linda is not in that camp," analyzed the Gator who also brought up Lopez's hopes of perhaps leading the Senate with the help of Republicans next January. But other insiders report Linda's chances of pulling off that coup are slim.

Most of those chiming in thought there was little question Big Bill was supporting Gallegos, but just how actively was left to question. Nevertheless, the consensus saw it as at least a minor setback for the Guv who loves to govern. But the South Valley is known for its notorious independent streak and it showed again Sunday. Ernest Chavez will finish out Taylor's term and run unopposed for a two year term in November.

HEIGHTS BATTLE IS JOINED
Payne
Meanwhile, what promises to be a bloody battle for a State House seat began to unfold this weekend in the far ABQ NE HEights where outspoken Republican Greg Payne drew a Dem challenge in the name of 42 year old private investigator Michael Corwin. Payne's first D opponent withdrew from the race, but the Dem Party central committee decided to replace him with Corwin, even though the district is heavy GOP making Payne the heavy favorite.

Both candidates wasted no time in loading both barrels when they checked in with "NM Politics With Joe Monahan." For his part, Payne is challenging Corwin's legitimacy as a candidate saying he only registered to vote in the district in June, six months after the legal deadline. Corwin admitted to me that he was not registered in time, but said he has lived in the district for two years and that there is "case law" supporting his right to stay on the ballot.

But Payne will hear none of it. "Here's a guy who is campaigning on bringing more accountability to public officials, but he doesn't want those standards to apply to him. It's total hypocrisy," decried Payne who vowed a court challenge to kick Corwin off the ballot.

PAIN TO PAYNE

For his part, Corwin took aim at Payne's controversial past which includes a 1991 arrest, but no conviction on a domestic violence charge. "Payne's record shows he is a punisher of women," blasted Corwin who was not to subtly reminding voters of the recent domestic violence arrest of GOP State Rep. Rory Ogle.

"It's pathetic," responded Payne. "He's trying to cover up his own breaking of the law by attacking me." Payne also pointed out that in he GOP primary he managed a 62% victory over his challenger. He said voters are aware of his past problems, and are judging him on his service on the ABQ City Council.

Corwin calls that service an "embarrassment" and told me he is intent on running a ""contrast-comparison" campaign. If Corwin manages to stay on the ballot this legislative battle may require a restraining order. Stay tuned.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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