The NM GOP put the Rory Ogle saga behind it Saturday morning as they named agricultural banker Jimmie Hall as the candidate to replace the embattled Ogle on the November ballot. Hall defeated Nick Maniatis, an associate in the lobbying firm of GOP National Committeeman Mickey Barnett, on a 75-41 vote.

"This was another victory for the (ex-GOP chair) Ramsay Gorham faction," analyzed one R at the meeting. He was referring to the defeat of Barnett for the GOP National Committeeman's post by ex-State Rep George Buffett earlier this year. Gorham was ousted from her chairmanship by loyalists of Barnett and ex-GOP chair John Dendhal, but since have suffered the Barnett defeat and now this one.

Ogle was embroiled in controversy when he was arrested in July on charges of beating his wife, Anita, who then threatened to run against him for the ABQ NE heights seat Ogle was elected to in 2002. But Anita's challenge fizzled after Ogle agreed to withdrew as a candidate for re-election under pressure from GOP Leaders.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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