Haaland & Garcia Richard

There's little doubt that outgoing State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard is highly likely to become the Democratic party's lieutenant governor nominee after securing the endorsement of gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland but things could still get messy. (Haaland video here.)

Notably, the state Democratic party will not conduct an in-person State Central Committee meeting July 25 to pick a replacement for Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver who cited personal health in withdrawing her nomination after winning the June primary over ABQ state Senator Harold Pope. The meeting of 500 members will be virtual with absentee and on-line voting scheduled for several days.

For his part Pope is not backing off in the face of long odds. He declared on the socials:

The Fight Isn't Over Until We Decide It's Over..... 

Sen. Pope

A virtual meeting, while more convenient, lessens the chances of dramatic TV and video images highlighting vigorous in-person debate that could show dramatic divisions over Haaland's endorsement but Pope's pledge to try to make a fight of it could still resonate over the nearly one month before the meeting. 

The senator's supporters point out that, unlike Garcia Richard, he did not quit the race but stayed the course in an effort to become the first Black nominee on a major party gubernatorial ticket. They argue the 42,515 votes he received from Dem primary voters should not be ignored. Toulouse Oliver received 169,930 and beat Pope 80-20.

ABRUPT DECISION?

Haaland's backing of Garcia Richard seemed abrupt. Only a day before the Friday endorsement she stated that she planned on personally meeting with five candidates for the position. The very next day she announced she wanted Garcia Richard who said in a joint appearance with Haaland that all the candidates had been interviewed in person.

It seemed there was second guessing in the Haaland camp about the long month before the July 25 meeting and concern that party infighting could get out of hand if not tamped down by quickly stating where Haaland, now the titular head of the party, stood on the nominee. 

Haaland’s decision-making process is an open question even after her service as Secretary of Interior where staff had a heavy hand. If elected, how active will her role be? Which advisers have her ear and will any be first among equals?

WHAT THEY SAID 

In endorsing Garcia Richard, Haaland said:

What impressed me most was her vision for this role. She sees the Lieutenant Governor's office as an opportunity to build partnerships, solve problems, and help deliver on the promises we've made to New Mexicans. I know she'll be an engaged, collaborative partner from day one, and that’s why I am endorsing her as my running mate.

Garcia Richard remained mindful that she still has waters to calm, telling supporters:

This isn’t a done deal. . .Because the vacancy happened after the primary, our SCC steps in to choose the nominee — fellow Democrats from all 33 counties. . . and they're reachable, real people who listen to their neighbors. I'll be working diligently to earn their trust — and the best thing you can do right now is show that New Mexicans are ready for this ticket.

THE GARCIA RICHARD FILE  

Starting in 2013, Garcia Richard served six years as a state representative from the Los Alamos area before winning two statewide elections for state land commissioner. 

She announced a bid for lieutenant governor last year only to later withdraw, citing her husband's bout with cancer, but that withdrawal also came just days before Toulouse Oliver got in the race and became the odds-on front-runner.

Garcia Richard comes from the energetic progressive wing of the Dem party. That's exemplified by endorsements she received from longtime Dem consultant Neri Holguin and former state Sen. Dede Feldman before Haaland gave her endorsement.

Haaland and Garcia Richard would be the first all-female gubernatorial ticket. Most recently they have worked together when Haaland served as Secretary of Interior. Haaland is not known to have a close relationship with Pope. 

Still, there are Central Committee members like Christopher Sedillo who are ready to join Pope in his fight:

Pope says he is a full-fledged progressive--like the vast majority of the Central Committee--but he has an independent personality, demonstrated by becoming the first Black state senator in New Mexico history and his long career in the Air Force. 

That independent streak sometimes separates him his colleagues. For example, they are rattled each year when Pope proposes a measure that would ban lawmakers from drinking alcohol before or during any floor session or committee meeting. It routinely fails but sends a message that business conducted at the Roundhouse can and does get conducted under the influence. It is that independence that could have been one of the the deal-breakers for Haaland. 

The job of lieutenant governor is largely ceremonial but it does pay a full-time salary of $144,000 and when the Governor leaves town they do take over the power of the office. 

With Haaland's status as a national political figure, those out-of-state days could be numerous. She must be assured that the fort will be held down without any shenanigans from her #2. 

The other official duty of the lieutenant governor--presiding over sessions of the state Senate--does break toward Pope over Garcia Richard but is not a top-of-mind concern. 

Also, if poor health or death were to interrupt the governor's term, the lieutenant governor would take over. For Haaland that consideration breaks firmly toward Garcia Richard.

GOING ROGUE 

Lt. Gov. Casey Luna

Although rare, there is precedent for a lieutenant governor going rogue. The state was reminded of that with the recent news of the death of 95 year old Casey Luna, who served as lieutenant governor under Democrat Bruce King. In 1994 Luna broke with the boss and ran against him for that year's Dem gubernatorial nomination. Luna lost but King was weakened. 

And that's not all. 

In the November '94 general election, Roberto Mondragon, who had served as lieutenant governor with King in the 70's, ran as a Green Party governor candidate and attracted 10 percent of the vote as Republican Gary Johnson toppled King and won with 50 percent of the vote.

With her Garcia Richard endorsement, Haaland isn't taking any chances.  

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