Balderas & Colón

Brian Colón had a good week on the ABQ mayoral campaign trail, firing up his supporters with the first TV ad of the season and getting solid marks for his answers to the Journal's lengthy questionnaire. But good news puts a target on your back in an eight way mayoral scramble and the mumbling and grumbling got underway in earnest when that TV spot started to play.

His foes were soon talking behind-the-scenes about the law firm he works for--Robles, Rael Anaya--and that defended one of two ABQ policemen accused in the notorious slaying of homeless camper James Boyd. How can Colón claim to be a police reformer, they mused, when his own law firm is invested in defending the current system?

And what about all those city contracts the firm gets? Will those continue under a Mayor Colón? And, if so, what are the ethical implications?

The long knives came out as well for Attorney General Balderas who barged into the mayoral contest with that TV endorsement of Colón. His critics say the AG has had a great chance to help reform APD but has taken a pass. They point out that long ago State Auditor and mayoral candidate Tim Keller delivered to Balderas a report alleging that former APD Chief Schultz rigged a $2 million city contract for Taser to supply APD with body cameras. But that report, now covered with dust, sits on the desk of Balderas while the AG argues his good friend Colón will clean up the city's crime problem and APD.

And hardcore Dems also raise the issue of that letter Colón and Balderas wrote to the State Senate Rules Committee supporting Governor Martinez's naming of Republican attorney Matt Chandler as a UNM Regent. Chandler headed up a political action committee to attack Democrats running for election. The Dem controlled state Senate did not listen to Balderas and Colón. In a rare move it defeated a regent nomination. Does playing footsie with Chandler and the Governor mean Colón will welcome the Martinez/McCleskey machine into City Hall for various deal cutting? (Robles, Rael Anaya also has hefty state contracts).

All these questions are to be expected as Colon makes his big move. The next question is whether Colón's foes (or any of the political committees backing his opponents) start making the attacks forcefully and publicly. The answer could have a significant impact on the October 3 contest.

GOODBYE GARREY 

The melodrama over NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers ended Wednesday with the school's Regents affirming their decision not to renew the former Republican Governor's contract that ends next July and voting 4 to 0 to go forward with a search for his replacement.

The Regents, a majority of whom owe their appointments to Gov. Martinez, were lobbied furiously by political and business leaders to keep Carruthers, 78, on board. They claimed  he was the subject of a Martinez vendetta because he harshly criticized her for vetoing the higher education budget. This was accompanied by speculation that Martinez herself was eyeing the chancellor job for when her Guv term ends next year.

While Carruthers and Martinez clashed over education, they still have something in common. Both are looking for new jobs.

THE BOTTOM LINES

Alan Webber

A leading NM progressive is backing Deb Haaland for the Democratic nomination for the ABQ congressional seat. Santa Fe's Alan Webber, who sought the 2010 Dem Guv nod, has endorsed Haaland's candidacy. He had a lot of hopefuls to choose from. A total of nine are seeking the Dem nod for the seat being vacated by Rep. Lujan Grisham who is running for Governor. . .

Tom Trowbridge has ended a long run as the voice of Dateline New Mexico, the five minute daily political radio broadcast that airs on about two dozen stations around the state. Trowbridge left to become the news director of Santa Fe public radio station KSFR-FM. Dateline, operated by Lorene Mills, widow of legendary broadcaster Ernie Mills, will continue with the return of former host Mark Bentley.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2017