Socially conservative northern state senate Democrats, already reeling from the aggravated DWI arrest of one of their own--Senator Richard Martinez of Espanola--are about to be shell shocked again. The pro-choice women's group Emily's List today will announce "a massive investment" in next year's key legislative races. That likely means targets on the back of Sen. Martinez (if he isn't forced to resign) and other pro-life senators such as Pete Campos, Carlos Cisneros, George Munoz and Clemente Sanchez and others.

EMILY's List to Announce Largest-Ever State Legislative Effort For Crucial 2019 and 2020 Cycles. EMILY's List will be announcing a massive investment in states like New Mexico.

They have the money to do it. During the 2017-2018 cycle, EMILY’s List raised $110 million and launched a "record" independent expenditure campaign.

You may recall that one of their targets in primary '18 was former US Attorney Damon Martinez who was seeking the Dem nomination for the ABQ congressional seat. He had a head of steam heading into the final days but then there was that hit financed by Emily's List accusing Martinez of not doing enough to curb police violence. Down he went. Deb Haaland took the nomination.

Already Dem activist Pam Cordova of Valencia County appears primed to challenge Clemente Sanchez in next year's primary. And other viable candidates would seem certain to emerge against other Dem targets now that big money will be on their side.

We saw a blue wave in the NM House elections last year that turned that chamber sharply to the left. Will 2020 see a pink wave that does the same to the Senate?

MARTINEZ ARREST

Meantime, it's kind of a nothing burger from Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth on the aggravated DWI charge facing Senator Richard Martinez, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee:

This is a difficult situation. Our immediate concern is for the well-being of everyone involved in the accident. Senator Martinez is a valued member of our caucus and is entitled to the process afforded him under the law. DWI continues to be a very serious issue for our state. This is a developing matter and we have no further comment at this time.

Well, that's not going to sell with the public, but at least Wirth said something. There was never any comment from the GOP House or Senate leadership when then ABQ GOP State Rep Monica Young refused to take a breathalyzer test last year and subsequently was voted out of office. A similar fate could be in store for Martinez now that Emily's List is on the prowl for a contender to take him on.

Police released an 11 minute video of the arrest of Sen. Martinez. It is not as devastatingly embarrassing as the Youngblood video, but it is politically explosive and very humiliating for the well-liked Martinez as he struggles unsuccessfully to pass field sobriety tests while on a hospital stretcher. Then there is this nearly 3 minute video of Martinez asking not to be arrested and refusing to take a breathalyzer test.

SURPLUS SPENDING

Reader Susan Richards writes of the mammoth surpluses accumulating in Santa Fe and the fear of Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith that they could be spent irresponsibly.

Joe, if legislators such as John Arthur Smith are concerned about the legislature spending surpluses responsibly, the first place they should plunk a pile of money is into the state retirement funds--the education retirement fund (ERB) and the public employees retirement fund (PERA) that serve the underpaid public servants and educators of New Mexico.  Wipe out their long-term projected deficits in one fell swoop and that would match the outlay for the film industry. Thanks for keeping us informed.

ALICE AND ALLEN

Sanchez and King

Here's Allen Sanchez, president of nonprofit CHI St Joseph's Children with former NM Attorney General Gary King receiving the annual Alice King Public Service Award at this year's Kids Count conference.

For nearly a decade Sanchez has been leading the effort for a constitutional amendment that would tap a small portion of the $18 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund for early childhood education. It has passed the House several times but been stymied in the Senate. He is credited with--as Bruce King might say-- "a yeoman's" effort. The amendment has gone from the back pages to the front under his persistent advocacy and he has enlisted a wide range of support (including ours) for that amendment.

Meantime, Sanchez supervises CHI St. Joseph's free home visisitng programs for children throughout the state as he and CHI work to reverse New Mexico's poor standing in the national child well-being rankings.

As first lady when Bruce was Governor, Alice King was a fierce advocate for New Mexico children and was instrumental in establishing the Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD). She passed in 2008. Gary King, an attorney, retired from elective politics in 2014.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019