Journal editor & Bregman

Deb Haaland's cancellation of a town hall appearance sponsored by the Albuquerque Journal prompted an emotional and harsh reaction from the newspaper's executive editor, who decried Haaland's refusal to answer questions as "terrifying" and warned that "we are going to be investigating her."

The paper also ripped into the leading Democatic gubernatorial candidate in an editorial, calling her refusal to appear "part of a disturbing pattern." 

The editor's remarks were made Tuesday at the beginning of the Journal's Town Hall for Dem Guv candidate Sam Bregman who agreed to be questioned by a panel of Journal reporters as well as conservative opinion writer Jeff Tucker. (Full video here.) 

Haaland first agreed to appear at the event but then canceled because of the presence of Tucker who wrote a scathing column about Haaland that her supporters criticized as personally demeaning. The column ran over a headline labeling the candidate a "know-nothing." 

The paper said in their editorial that they had agreed to take Tucker off the stage if Haaland agreed to debate Bregman. 

Journal Executive Editor Jay Newton-Small declared that Haaland's refusal to appear makes her a prime target for the paper's investigative reporters: 

Every single time a candidate hides from you, it is very worrying. . .She canceled on us because she cannot answer any questions and that is terrifying to me.. ..The next four years, if she wins, guess what?" We are going to be investigating her because that is scary to me. If you do not have a candidate that cannot answer a simple question or debate an opponent and answer in public what your beliefs are, then that is really, really scary.

Haaland did sit for an extended interview with the Journal's Dan Boyd for the paper's profiles of all the governor candidates. 

IMPACT? 

The political implications of Haaland rejecting the Journal are modest on the campaign trail but could be more severe if and when she assumes the governorship. 

However, the Journal is diminished when it comes to their investigative powers. During her tongue-lashing of Haaland, Newton Small pointed out that the paper is soliciting public donations to beef up the investigative unit.

That the Journal needs to ask readers for financial support--akin to a nonprofit--speaks volumes about their financial condition in the Internet age and one reason why Haaland's campaign probably took the risk of holding her back from the Town Hall.

Another reason is that Haaland is a world apart from the Journal which has veered further right in recent years. Their readership is simply not in the Democrats wheelhouse. That makes Haaland immune to its editorial reach in the election but could have repercussions if she moves into the Fourth Floor 

The newspaper's scorching of Haaland could not have been done without publisher William Lang giving the go ahead. He is known as a steady eddy business type but the paper's harsh tone over Haaland raises the issue of the influence of the next generation of Langs who are in line to take over leadership.

Pepper Lang is the nephew of the late publisher Tom Lang and works closely with Bill Lang (William Pepperday Lang). Pepper Lang serves as Vice President of Strategic Development for the Journal. His focus has been centered on business and strategic development and supporting the local business community. 

One of the Journal's strategies includes selling off 287,000 square feet of land and buildings they own at Journal Center in the NE Heights of ABQ to ensure operating funds for the paper which this year celebrates 100 years under the Lang family. Unless Haaland and the paper make the peace, the years after the 100th could be known as "The War Years." 

SENATE CONTEST

Former state Rep. Bob Perls, running against Dem Sen. Ben Ray Lujan as a candidate from the newly recognized Forward NM party, still has work to do before he can make that challenge a reality. We reported on Perls' run Wednesday but in a first posting did not mention that he needs 7,100 petition signatures by June 25 to ensure a ballot spot in November. That's a high hurdle and we asked him about it:

We have funding to do a professional texting campaign so we will see! Not easy for sure. We are working to get Michael Vigil, CPA on the ballot for state auditor as well and he needs the same number of signatures. 

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.