Judge Vigil
We reported months ago the buzz in NM’s legal community that a U.S. Chamber of Commerce backed group might get involved in the State Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals contests here in a big way. That buzz turned into a full roar this week with backers of Dem Supreme Justice Ed Chavez and Republican Party sources saying TV ads in support of Chavez's GOP opponent, Ned Fuller, and Paul Barber, the GOP rival of Democrat Court of Appeals Judge Michael Vigil, could come as soon as next week. The chamber has a major ax to grind against trial lawyers and has used its clout effectively in other states to unseat trial lawyer candidates. They have spent millions and unseated many judges.

A Republican insider says: "We think these seats are ripe for the picking in the wake of the Brennan scandal (busted for cocaine possession) and other missteps by judges."

Chavez has raised hundreds of thousands and hit the airwaves this week and will be the tougher of the two to take down. Also, no R has been elected to the State Supreme Court since 1986. Chavez's foe is also not well-known, but R's have had some success with the NM Court of Appeals. Vigil’s camp is also aware of the possible Chamber move and has also reportedly gone up on TV and radio this week. Barber is himself a former judge and has name ID in vote rich Bernalillo County. The political pros say a big Chamber TV hit against Vigil, plus other attacks that Barber may come with, could make for an upset. Stay tuned.

SIERRA'S SURPRISE

In a rare endorsement of a Republican, the NM chapter of the Sierra Club hs given its nod to Republican Public Regulation Commission (PRC) candidate Ward Camp. The veteran utility lawyer nabbed the unusual endorsement after a lengthy interview with the well-known and politically active environmental group. Understandably, Camp’s opponent for the ABQ seat, Dem Jason marks, also an attorney, is none to happy with the Sierra Club's plug of his opponent. According to Camp, Marks is claiming the endorsement wa given because Camp is good friends with Republican Jim Scarantino who sits on the Sierra Cub board. But both Scarantino and Camp say they have spoken on the phone and exchanged e mails, but never met each other. Whatever the case, the Sierra backing of Camp is a significant boost to the political newcomers campaign. The seat leans R and is being vacated by Herb Hughes.

LA POLITICA GOES WORLDWIDE

CNN will explore the world of New Mexico politics and the Prez race in a special one hour broadcast of "Anderson Cooper 360" at 5 p.m. our time (7 p.m. Eastern) Monday, October 11. I have been tapped to do one of the segments and will appear during the hour special along with other political junkies, including Big Bill. So make sure to tune in as New Mexico goes into the national spotlight live from the Santa Fe Plaza on CNN Monday at 5 p.m.

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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