Democrats say they are on the defensive in that December 10 run-off election for the District 4 ABQ city council seat in the NE Heights. D Ane Romero has accepted public financing for the run-off, getting $13,000 for her campaign but Republican Brook Bassan has rejected public financing and Romero says on Faecbook that Bassan has already raised $40,000. Romero says:

I'm capped at spending no more than $13K. Brook Bassan abandoned the program and is raising money —hand over fist—and from those with a stake in the decisions made at City Hall. So far, she's raised about. . . $40K total. Who are her max-out donors? They are the developers and their associated PACs. I won't be owned by the developers and will continue to advocate for our neighborhoods.

A check of city campaign records shows Bassan has indeed picked up considerable support from real estate and development interests, including $1,500 from the NM Association of Realtors. Former NM GOP Chairman Harvey Yates and his business interests--including real estate--have contributed $3,000. However, Romero, while firing at Bassan over outside money is getting some outside help of her own.

Bassan, a mother of four, a self-described "Household CEO," supported conservative Dem Jeff Apodaca in 2018 when he unsuccessfully sought the Dem Guv nomination and when Bassan was registered as a Democrat. He is returning that support in the run-off, taking to social media to urge voters to turn out for Bassan.

Apodaca says Romero is being disingenuous when it comes to saying she is running her campaign on public financing and says liberal PACS are spending for her as they did in the initial election:

Ole and their PAC money are already at it hitting homes in Dist 4 with anti-Brook mailers. So let’s call it as it is. Both candidates went public in the first election  and Dem PAC’s spent well over $120,000 against Brook Bassan. So who’s playing the system? This is why it’s an easy choice for us residents in Dist 4 as to who will represent us. 

Bassan finished first in the GOP leaning district in the Nov. 5 initial balloting, garnering 49 percent of the vote to Romero's 42 percent. The run-off will see a much lower turnout. About 11,500 voters cast ballots in the first election because of a wide variety of other ballot issues and the consolidation of other elections with the city election.

In the other run-off, in council District 2 in Downtown/Barelas and the North Valley, it's been a quiet campaign. Incumbent Dem Ike Benton beat fellow Dem Zack Quintero in the November 5  balloting. However, Quintero had momentum at the end of the November campaign but making up a 21 point loss--42-21--is asking a lot from the 29 year old challenger. Campaign observers say it doesn't help that Quintero is not holding Benton's feet to the fire on the hot button crime issue.

Early voting is underway for the Dec. 10 election.

KEN SANCHEZ HOSPITALIZED

Councilor Sanchez

Meanwhile, Dem ABQ City Councilor Ken Sanchez, on the nine member panel since 2005, has suffered a "medical emergency," the nature of which was not disclosed. His office says he is hospitalized this Thanksgiving week and not receiving visitors or taking calls. They have asked the community for prayers.

Sanchez told our KANW 89.1 FM Election Night audience November 5 that he would seek re-election to his Westside seat in 2021 as long as his health held which the 63 year old then characterized as excellent. We wish him well.

And more breaking news from City Hall. Our insiders report that City Clerk Katy Duhigg is leaving that post to seek the Dem nomination for the ABQ North Valley state senate seat held by Republican Sen. Candace Gould who is seeking a second term. Duhigg would be be joining attorney Alan Hall in the race for the Dem nod. Mayor Keller would name a new city clerk with approval of the city council.

Messages to Duhigg and a city spokesman were not immediately returned.

THE BOTTOM LINES

Here's an interesting headline from the state GOP's recent newsletter:

Mexico Ranked As the Worst Run State In America.

Well, that's one way of getting New Mexico out of the cellar.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019