They're crossing their fingers, praying to icons, and rubbing their rabbits' feet. But other than that NM Republicans can only hope and wait to see if ABQ GOP NE Heights State Rep. Rory Ogle, caught up in an escalating political scandal, will spare them further grief and anguish by resigning as a candidate for re-election.

Here's the latest from a deep insider on the front lines of this latest GOP crisis:

"We are in a tight spot. The Bernalillo County Central committee has a scheduled meeting August 14th and it's at that meeting that most of us hope to be able to name a replacement for Rory. We fully expect him to resign by then, but if he doesn't, the chances of a write-in campaign being run against by him a fellow Republican will be very good. We must separate the party from him if he insists on dragging this thing on."

If Ogle does not resign by early September his name stays on the ballot. No Dem has filed in the heavy GOP House district so Ogle is unopposed for a second term in November.

Ogle, charged with domestic violence as the result of a July 16th wife-beating incident, has hung tough so far. Ogle, and the sensational charges against him, became know statewide when AG Madrid this week called for him to resign. D's are licking their chops saying if Ogle stays in he will continue to be the focus of partisan jibes over the domestic violence issue, a politically charged item that could seriously hurt the GOP with women voters.

"I think the real piling on will come if Ogle refuses to resign and it's clear his name will be on the ballot. Madrid has fired the opening volley. Now they wait." Said one veteran D operative.

THE WAITING GAME


Waiting is the game for both parties now. GOP Chair Allen Weh has his prestige and power on the line after calling for the resignation but so far being ignored. Ogle's fellow House R's, many of them seeking leadership positions in January, don't want to go public against him because if he defies the odds and stays he will vote on those leadership posts in party caucus. Yes, politics plays a role here.

But beyond Ogle, it's once again the image of our Land of Enchantment in the eyes of the nation. If Ogle is determined to drag the state into the national spotlight by running, he at least might consider strongly asserting his innocence. But he has not done that, instead saying he will get counseling in connection with his arrest.

Pride goeth before the fall. In this case the fall is an excruciatingly slow one for all New Mexicans.

NEW MEXICO'S LORENZO CHAVEZ

Lorenzo Chavez, former state legislator, noted attorney and father of ABQ Mayor Martin Chavez died in ABQ Thursday. He was 90. "He had a great long life, marriage and career, but that doesn't make it any easier," Mayor Chavez told me via cell phone as the family made preparations for the funeral.

Chavez was a graduate of Georgetown University and his son followed in that tradition. Lorenzo Chavez had close ties to the late, legendary U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez who was one of the first Hispanic New Mexicans to attend Georgetown.

Former NM Governor Dave Cargo said Lorenzo Chavez approached him in the 1960's and urged broader Hispanic representation on boards of regents throughout the state. "He was right. When he came to me we had only one Hispanic regent. Lorenzo helped change that.

Attorney Cargo said one of the highlights of the Chavez legal career was handling of the transition of the Atrisco Land Grant in ABQ to the Westland Development Corporation. "He really worked hard to help the heirs of that grant benefit economically." recalled Cargo.

Chavez served one term in the State House from Socorro in the 1950's, but chose not to seek re-election. Despite running unsuccessfully against Marty Chavez for ABQ Mayor in 1993, Cargo said he retained his friendship with his political rival's father. "He joked with me during that campaign not to tell anyone that he had given me money back when I ran for governor because people might think he was giving to me for the campaign I was then running against his son," cracked Cargo. "He was a friend, a man of his word and I was very fond of him."

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. today at St. Bernadette Church, 11401 Indian School NE. Mass is at 9 a.m. Saturday, with a private burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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