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Thursday, September 18, 2025Below The Radar Election In ABQ Metro Is Underway; All Candidates In It Are Unopposed, Plus: More Gaming Of GOP Guv Race There is an election underway in the ABQ metro that hardly anyone is aware of. Four positions for the board of directors of the Midddle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MGRCD) district are being decided. The reason the election is receiving very little notice? There is only one candidate running for each slot so the election is basically over before it begins. Three of the four running are incumbent members on the seven member board. Only property owners within the district's boundaries--which includes parts of Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia and Socorro counties, are eligible to vote. Election info is here. Early voting started Sept. 15 and Election Day is October 7. That's rare. Nearly all state municipalities follow a November schedule under the Local Election Act. Exceptions are mostly limited to special districts like the MRGCD. Former state Senator Daniel Ivey Soto tried unsuccessfully to get the MGRCD elections changed to November to increase participation. The MGRCD, established in 1925, manages irrigation, flood control, and water conservation along the Rio Grande from Cochiti Pueblo to Elephant Butte Reservoir. With climate change the board has been higher profile, wrestling with such issues as severe water shortages, river flow and drought. High assessment fees on irrigated lands to fund MGRCD have emerged as a flash point. Small farmers have been overwhelmed and that has led to land sales. The four unopposed candidates are: Position No. 3 – Bernalillo County– Karen Dunning; Position No. 4 – Bernalillo County– Colin T. Baugh; Position No. 6 – Socorro County– J. Chris Lopez; Position No. 7 – Sandoval County– Michael T. Sandoval. More on the election here. NAKAMURA ANALYSIS  I don't see Nakamura running. The GOP/MAGA primary voters aren't going to take the trade off of accepting her liberal social positions even if they think her odds are good for taking the Guv's Mansion. Even if it's a one-on-one match between Nakamura and Gregg Hull, I disagree with the Alligators who say she could beat him in that scenario. However, she might be able to win in a crowded field. Think of Gary Johnson in the 1994 GOP primary. A black and white/conservative versus a moderate liberal match-up--which is what a Hull-Nakamrua race would be--doesn't work for her but a multi-candidate race could. Rio Rancho Mayor Hull is the only GOP candidate currently in the '26 gubernatorial race. THE BOTTOM LINES Conservative reader Jim McClure couldn't resist making a crack about MLG's arm being in a sling after a recent surgery: This is the Home of New Mexico Politics. Wednesday, September 17, 2025Fraught With Peril: Tense Search For New UNM President Looms As Stokes Heads To The Exits, Plus: Project Jupiter: Gargantuan Bond For Cruces Area Data Center Draws Scrutiny; Water And Energy Key Concerns
Saying that replacing Stokes will be extremely difficult is not necessarily a statement on her job performance, although that has received passing grades from the Regents. But getting aboard a new president is fraught with political and financial peril for those same Regents. Of course, MLG will weigh in on the national search for a replacement. She appoints the Regents and like past governors will expect to have her voice heard at a critical moment for the institution. The national environment will make what is always a challenging task even more tense and complex. Stokes, who will leave in July of '26, and UNM have already felt the Trump administration's foray into university governance and there is no reason to think there won't be a play made for more influence as UNM looks to hire a new president. DEI at UNM--diversity, equity and inclusion programs--could be at the center of any battle that develops over a new president. The administration has targeted DEI in federal agencies and education which has led UNM and other universities to review hiring, promotion and recruitment policies. The new president will have to know how to handle political pressure--like threatened cuts to influence university behavior--while maintaining UNM's diversity. Funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions like UNM has already been hit with the administration ending several grant programs, arguing they are unconstitutional. They've redirected some of the money to Black colleges and tribal colleges. That's tricky territory to navigate. There is also a plan to cap federal funding for research grants. A cap of 15 percent for federal funding of "indirect costs" of research grants would be drastic for UNM and could cost $20 million. The plan is being fought in court. The new UNM president will need to be a staunch defender of academic freedom and institutional autonomy and prepared to defend the university's mission in the face of contentious debates over Palestine, teaching methods and free speech. They will also have to know their way around Washington to ward off cuts in funding. The new president will have to protect faculty and staff but also accommodate legitimate calls from inside and outside the university for change in UNM policies. Stokes came across as a caring apolitical centrist. But the times ahead will demand a more assertive personality but still one not prone to alienate constituencies. Even if the Regents pay the new president as much as the football coach--over a million a year--they could have a hard time finding outstanding candidates. A hefty dose of Lobo luck will be needed when UNM begins a new leadership chapter. PROJECT JUPITER  Joe, If we could get a shout out on our community efforts that would be great. Thanks for all you do. We don’t have the blogs or journalists down here like we used to. Constituents will come together Wednesday at the Dona Ana County Government Center to voice concerns on Project Jupiter. A project of this magnitude, $165 billion, and its potential impact to Sunland Park, Santa Teresa and Dona Ana County is unknown. Constituents and the critical stakeholders deserve transparency. . .We stand as concerned citizens not in rejection of Project Jupiter, but a call for thoroughness and accountability. Project Jupiter Wednesday, September 17th 10 am at Dona Ana County Government Center That $165 billion is not a typo: Project Jupiter is a proposed $165 billion hyperscale data center campus focused on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, developed by STACK Infrastructure in partnership with BorderPlex Digital Assets. It is planned for an unincorporated area in Santa Teresa, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, just north of the U.S.-Mexico port of entry near El Paso, Texas. . . Dona Ana county commissioners are considering approving a historic $165 billion industrial revenue bond (IRB). The incentive would support building a campus to include four data center buildings powering AI technology and a microgrid energy facility. The chief concerns of those gathering today are water usage, energy demands and transparency. Critics worry about the data centers' cooling needs. Developers say a closed-loop system requires only a one-time fill and minimal ongoing use. Also, the data center campus could consume energy equivalent to the entire county's current usage. The Dona Ana County Commission will meet Friday, Sept. 19 to consider the massive bond package. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Tuesday, September 16, 2025Uballez Throws Shade At City Clerk's Office Over His Failure To Qualify For Public Financing; "The Ref Wasn't Treating Us Fairly" But Offers No Evidence For Claims
No wonder that crushing blow continues to be felt by progressive Democrat Alex Uballez. But his deep disappointment has veered into the bizarre. Uballez implies in a TV interview that the City Clerk's office, charged with overseeing the public financing system, was somehow not on the level in dealing with his effort to qualify. The incendiary accusation from Uballez comes with no evidence offered and Uballez is not claiming that he qualified for the financing. So what gives? He explains his surprising inference about the Clerk this way: You understand the Mayor is the ref (referee), right? The city clerk's office. . . is the one who counted all of our five dollar donations (needed to qualify for the public financing). . . and gave me a call and said, 'hey, there was a clerical error. Some (of the donations you submitted) are going to fall off.' I get it. Clerical errors happen (but) when we looked at the number of qualifying contributions that had fallen off it was over a hundred." Q: Do you believe you did qualify for public financing? A: No. To be clear, when that happened we decided that the ref wasn't treating us fairly so we would have to play by our own rules. The intimation by Uballez that there may have been some kind of wrongdoing in verifying his donations but without specifying exactly how is even more surprising coming as it does from a former New Mexico US Attorney whose job was to prosecute federal crimes. After the Uballez bid for public financing was rejected, Uballez complained about the high number of donations needed to qualify but he did not impugn the Clerk's integrity. At that time the Keller campaign commented that Uballez complaining was like ""blaming the ref because you can't hit your free throws. The real issue isn't the rules. It's the lack of grassroots support, campaign credibility and organizational strength to lead." CASH RACE  An outside PAC supporting his candidacy reported raising $155,000 and had $120,000 in cash on hand. Uballez, forced to rely on private donations, has reported raising $193,000 and had cash on hand of $115,000. NO FRAUD The public financing system for mayoral hopefuls has been criticized for requiring too many qualifying donations--3,780. That threshold should be lowered, says former progressive City Councilor Eric Griego, the architect of the system. However, there have been no claims that the City Clerk--now or in the past--has exhibited bias in determining who has qualified for public money or engaged in any kind of fraud. Among Keller's six opponents on the ballot, Uballez has been seen by analysts as the the main threat to Keller who is seeking a third consecutive term. If no mayoral candidate wins 50 percent of the vote November 4, a runoff between the tow top contenders would be held about a month later. FUDGING UPWARDS
I'm 66. Your parts give out. When your parts give out, you get new parts and I started with the right arm. Actually, the Governor is still 65 and does not turn 66 until October 24. Maybe after nearly seven years on the Fourth Floor she's feeling her age and then some. She wouldn't be the first--nor the last. As for what part of her right arm was replaced, she didn't say. Whatever. She can now use the left arm when she points out legislators not listening to her. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Monday, September 15, 2025Got Keller Fatigue? ABQ Mayor Offers Cure; Says He Won't Seek A Fourth Term; Outlines Key Reasons Why He Should Get A Third. Also: Mayoral Management of APD Shootings Spotlighted
After eight years at the helm Keller, 47, faces six foes on the November 4 ballot all arguing that the incumbent has had more than enough time to resolve the city's aches and pains and that it is time for a change. Of course, Keller argues not so fast. In a PBS interview he delivered the short version of why he wants four more years, one that ABQ voters will be hearing repeatedly in the days ahead: We are making real progress on long-standing generational challenges. . . especially homelessness and crime. That's why we need a little more time. It's that sustained effort of doing the hard work every day that is critical right now because these are such tough times. . . We've made real progress but we have a long ways to go and the initiatives that we have been working so hard on. . . I wish they were done faster but I need a few more years. I think it would be disastrous for us to turn back. TRUMP, KIRK FACTORS As he did during Trump 1.0 iin 2017, Keller again seeks election amid a chaotic and divisive national backdrop and is moving to nationalize the local election. In the process he is also saying he won't be taking a fourth bite out of the apple: We have to have someone who is strong and experienced to stand up to President Trump and I will tell you there are fights weekly with the federal government on a range of issues and I don't think now is the time to try someone new. I really don't. I think we have to hold our city together for three and half years then I am sure it is time for someone else to be mayor. The shocking assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has pushed the national agenda deeper into the mayoral race. Keller stands to benefit. (Kirk appeared before UNM students in 2022.Video here. A campus memorial service was held for Kirk Saturday.) The Mayor's main competitor for the anti-Trump vote will be fellow progressive Democrat Alex Uballez whose campaign engine stalled in the early going and now must roar back to life if he is to have a chance of getting in a run-off election with Keller. The nationalization of the contest among the other candidates is less clear but Republicans Darren White and Eddie Varela will be aggressive in courting the pro-Trump vote. Conservative Democrats Louie Sanchez and Mayling Armijo have a trickier path. The dream of Team Keller is an anti-Trump wave across the city that pushes him to the 50 percent mark November 4 and avoids a run-off election a month later with the second place finisher. If not that scenario, then a face-off with pro-Trump White is their favored run-off alternative. MAYORAL MANAGEMENT
During the interview he struggled some with his management of APD: Q: Despite all the reforms that have happened under the (DOJ) consent decree Albuquerque officers still killed people at the highest rates of any major metro last year. That would be 14 per one million residents. How is that what reform looks like? A: Reform was about making sure that when there is a wrong use of force officers are held accountable. Reform was not about reducing the number. We (do) want those to go together. We all want less violence. . . whether it's an officer being a perpetrator or not. But the challenge is that's really driven by crime and fentanyl, violence on our streets, guns on our streets and the difference is, is the officer using constitutional policing. Q: But if those are all constitutional uses of force, why does Albuquerque stand out above the rest of the large metros? Why are our officers killing more people? A: Three reasons, guns are more prevalent here than almost anywhere else. Narcotics, which has also been a longstanding challenge and the third reason is domestic violence. . . So we have crime challenges that drive officers feeling, unfortunately,. . .that they have to use constitutional use of force. . . So those two issues . . . overlap but they are distinctly different. While Keller points out crime is coming down, it is apparently not enough to disrupt the record number of police shootings in the city. His critics can and will argue that it is not only high crime but unsuccessful management that is responsible. Keller repeated during his sit down that APD Chief Harold Medina will not be serving in a Keller third term. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Thursday, September 11, 2025City Paying To Air Keller Speech On TV May Violate FCC Rules But His Foes Can't Cash In, Plus: White's Cash Coffers Still Short Of The Mark, And: More FeedBack On Universal Childcare Plan
Republican contender Darren White rightfully pointed out in a letter to the stations, including KRQE-TV and KOAT, that coming so close to the November 4 election the address constitutes a political appeal and rallying cry by Keller. The FCC equal time rule is clear that officials in an election cycle can get airtime for "bona fide" news events without triggering the equal time rule but in this case the paid for speech is clearly not that. However the impact of Keller's aggressive move may be academic. The 30 minute speech will air five different times across five stations. That's 150 minutes for each of his opponents--but not for free. The stations are obligated to offer the same amount of time to those candidates but can do so for the same price Keller paid. With most of the campaigns cash-starved and the speech airing in low-watched non primetime slots, there isn't much incentive for Keller's foes to take the stations up on their offer. The KRQE manager says his group of stations stands ready to sell air time to White and the others. To which the reply might be, "well, thanks for nothing." So go moral victories in a political campaign. But why is the city paying to broadcast any State of the City speech? It started during the pandemic when there was some reasoning for it, but with that over and free social media outlets so numerous, that reasoning is in the rear view mirror. Candidate Alex Uballez is calling on Keller's campaign to pay the city back the money spent on the TV time. MORE ON WHITE  At this point a unified GOP would have White with $500,000 in cash. In his Sept. 8 report, White reports total fund-raising of $199,000, spending of $68,000 including $39,000 for services from McCleskey. That left him with cash of $130,000. The big GOP money is simply not flowing to him. His contributions include $20,000 from the owners of the Downs at ABQ, the racetrack and casino that makes their home at the state fairgrounds and that could be moved under plans being studied by MLG. White, who once worked at the Downs, is opposed to moving the fairgrounds. Fund-raising status of all the mayoral candidates is here. ALL IN FOR CHILDCARE Reader KBV offers a counterpoint to the blog reader who Wednesday criticized the Governor's plan to pay for universal child care no matter how high the income of those receiving the subsidy: Joe, While I 100% agree the state and the governor need to “use the same riches to focus next on our most vulnerable children-those in CYFD custody,” I applaud the state’s free childcare program for all. But be bold with our vulnerable babies, too. Regardless of income, NM parents are literally working, contributing to our economy and supporting their families. NM has its struggles with many things, maybe daycare should not be one of them. If I’m not mistaken the NM Lottery for college tuition didn’t have income requirements and a lot of our kids went to our univeristies. They didn’t leave and neither did their parents. Maybe this is the same thing. Lord knows these days our government is giving our hard earned tax dollars to rich people, wouldn’t we rather give our money back to all working parents? I would. Have a good day, Joe. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Wednesday, September 10, 2025Keller And Uballez Step Up Efforts For Progressive Vote; Each Come With Notable Endorsements, Plus: PAC Supporting Mayor Draws Most Donations From Interests Doing Biz With City The endorsement of ABQ Mayor Tim Keller's re-election by US Rep. Melanie Stansbury of ABQ would normally be a yawner but Keller foe Alex Uballez just picked up the endorsement of OLÉ, a leading progressive group that could draw support from Keller's political base. Now comes Stansbury, arguably the central figure among metro area progressives, with a ringing endorsement of Keller who is seeking a third term in November: Mayor Keller has a clear plan for defending Albuquerque from an administration that is freezing funding, deploying troops to American cities, and creating chaos and disruptions to our daily lives. Mayor Keller has provided strong and steady leadership through some of the most tumultuous moments of the last several years, and is prepared to defend Albuquerque and our people from the uncertainties we will face in the coming years. Stansbury also praised Keller's efforts on housing and public safety but she focused on the national impact of the mayoral race which is at the top of the progressive agenda. That's what Keller needs--plenty of chatter about the White House and less about crime and homelessness.  OLÉ is proud to endorse Alex Uballez for Mayor of Albuquerque! Alex is committed to fighting for hard-working Burque families. Together, we can build a city that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. KELLER CASH It's Keller's dominant financial position that has been the killer thus far of any movement to take him down. In addition to the $750,000 in public financing he qualified for--the only one of the seven mayoral contenders to do so--the Ascend ABQ PAC is out on the town raising more money for Keller. As of mid-August they have pulled in $155,000 and had cash on hand of $120,000. Where is the money coming from? The usual suspects--those with significant stakes in city business and the outcome of the election. For example, Robles, Rael & Anaya, a go to law firm for many local government entities, is a major Ascend donor with partners of the firm coming with $30,000 in donations. The firm for years has contracted with the city legal department to provide outside legal services. Two brothers of the Garcia family, owners of car dealerships as well as major downtown ABQ developers, gave $5,000 each. Fresquez Concessions, which holds numerous concessions at the ABQ Sunport gave $15,000. Big labor came with the big money. The New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council donated $20,000. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America also donated $20,000 to the Ascend PAC. The Ascend PAC is separate from Keller's public finance account. His campaign is not allowed to coordinate activity with the PAC. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM? We get this reader reaction on MLG's announcement that she will expand the state's free childcare program to include all families even the most affluent: Last Friday the Governor announced the departure of Teresa, Casados, Secretary of CYFD. On Saturday two more babies died. So Monday needing a diversion Governor promotes an idea she has been holding for the right moment--expand free childcare. Context: New Mexico previously expanded free childcare to families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level ($124,000 annual income). This new announcement extends the benefit to every family statewide, so now all families with income greater than $124,000 per year are eligible. So seemingly the biggest problem we have in our state is families making $124,000 or more a year have to pay for their own childcare. I’ve never seen a state so excited to use tax dollars to give free childcare to families with income greater than $124,000. I hope we use that same richness to focus next on our most vulnerable children--those in CYFD custody who are victims of severe child abuse and/or neglect and babies born drug addicted so we can keep them safe and stop babies and youth from dying. NOT A PUEBLOIn the first posting of the Tuesday blog reporting on the endorsement of Dem Guv candidate Sam Bregman by the Jicarilla Apache Nation, we erroneously referenced the nation as a pueblo. Bregman's endorsements from Native American communities include Sandia Pueblo--one of 19 in the state-- and the Jicarilla Apache Nation, not "two pueblos" as we first stated. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Tuesday, September 09, 2025Nakamura Said To Be "Still Interested" In '26 Guv Run But Major Obtacles Loom; One Scenario That Could Get Her In The Race, Plus: Bregman Ratches Up Pressure On Haaland; Comes With Second Major Native American Endorsement
Hull, while well-known in Rio Rancho, is unknown statewide and not the big name that some Republican consultants think could give the Democrats a run for their money. With that in the background, we checked on the status of one of those "big names." Former NM Supreme Court Justice Judith Nakamura said in April that she was "considering" a candidacy but has since been quiet. A senior source familiar with her thinking tells NM Politics with Joe Monahan she is "still interested" in running but there are a lot of considerations for her to weigh. They explain: The irony is that what hurts Nakamura in a GOP primary dominated by hardcore conservatives could actually help her in a statewide race against the Democratic nominee. So would Nakamura have a shot if she were to run? Republican pros say her best bet is if Hull remains the sole major candidate seeking the nomination and that other possibles--like former Lt. Gov. John Sanchez--stay out. They believe Nakamura, 64, could defeat Hull in a one-on-one race despite her baggage with fellow R's because the lure of her beating the Democratic nominee would be hard to resist and because Hull is also known as a moderate R, not a wearer of the MAGA hat. Along with Nakamura Roswell oilman Mark Murphy and healthcare executive Duke Rodriguez say they are "considering" a run. John Sanchez has made no public statements about his intentions. Some video of Nakamura is here. JICARILLAS FOR BREGMAN  This endorsement follows the July bombshell dropped by Sandia Pueblo when they endorsed Bregman over Haaland who would be the first Native American governor in state history. Bregman's campaign quotes Jicarilla President Adrian Notsinneh as telling him: You demonstrated a clear and actionable plan to tackle critical challenges, including crime, substance abuse, and economic development within our communities. Bregman rubbed it in, declaring: I am the only candidate for governor with both a proven track record and a clear vision to deliver results for New Mexico’s tribal communities. I am honored to have received this important endorsement. . .As the tribe with the largest land mass in New Mexico, the Jicarilla Apache Nation support marks the first tribal nation endorsement of the election and a strong sign of Sam’s growing momentum. Haaland has significant Native American support from around the nation, including financially, and she has announced some endorsements of her own: Haaland backers note that women are not traditional leaders in Native American communities and that may be helping Bregman pick up his endorsements. With the official backing of one pueblo and one tribe Bregman continues to dent the Haaland campaign's original thesis that her nomination is inevitable. ABOUT THE JICARILLAS The background: The U.S. Census Bureau counted 2,596 residents in 2022 and 3,176 in more recent estimates. Over 95% of tribal members live in or near Dulce, New Mexico, the tribal headquarters. About half of the members speak the Jicarilla language fluently, primarily older individuals, and around 70% practice an organized religion, often Christianity blended with traditional beliefs. The tribe's population has rebounded from near-extinction threats in the early 20th century, but like many Apache groups, their language is endangered. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Monday, September 08, 2025All Crime All The Time Fading? Guv's Special Agenda Veers To Other Concerns, Plus: Lujan Vs. Kennedy Gets Heated, And: Readers Write Of The Quantum Quandry And Alligators Forever! Has all crime all the time seen its day in the sun in Santa Fe? That's the question percolating as Wall-Leaners, Alligators and legislative sages assess the initial agenda Gov. Lujan Grisham put forth for the special legislative session she has called for October 1. Even though it was the issue that MLG first said would lead her to call her seventh special, crime was nowhere near the top of the agenda she released but reduced to a sidebar that a spokesman says is still being worked on in advance of the session. But no deals have been cut on long stalled major crime bills such as criminal competency standards and juvenile crime--and none seem to be in the making. And she won't force a showdown with the Feds by attempting to shut down immigrant detention centers. For a decade New Mexican politics has been drowned in legislative sessions and political campaigns dominated by crime but is there even one legislator who has been bounced from office over the issue? It is the polling numbers of the now lame-duck Governor and ABQ mayor that have taken hits during this long crime fight, but even they have been safely re-elected in its midst. The utter failure of the '24 special session MLG called on crime, after which she never regained momentum on the issue, was an early sign that crime may have peaked politically. As one of our Alligators analyzed: Crime, its causes and political impact can be mysterious to analyze but we do know that economic concerns are mounting. BREAD AND BUTTER
Passage of Trump's Big Big Beautiful Bill gave MLG the perfect excuse to pivot off of crime and onto the bread and butter issues. Her special session heads there with proposals to address federal cuts in food stamps, Medicaid and health delivery to rural areas. These are matters of utmost importance in a quasi-welfare state like ours and ones in which Democrats have the sympathy of voters. Not that the GOP doesn't have a point when they argue that the cuts are not scheduled to take effect until 2027 and there is no need for a special. State Sen. Crystal Brantley comes with this forceful video on MLG abandoning the crime agenda and putting softballs on the agenda like funding for public broadcasting. If there is indeed a shift underway in the state political narrative the immediate beneficiary would seem to be progressive Dem governor candidate Deb Haaland and not moderate Dem contender and District Attorney Sam Bregman or fellow moderate Ken Miyagishima. Haaland fighting crime is like watching a fireman with an empty hose. But on bread and butter issues she can relate. Bregman? Not as much. In the ABQ mayoral and Santa Fe races a legislative pivot to the economy and health does not necessarily lessen the potency of the crime issue. There may be even more emphasis now on the responsibility of local leadership--mayors and city councils--to deal with crime spikes rather than watching Santa Fe continue to tie itself into knots. NOT 25 Our Aug 21 blog had September 25 as the probable date for the special session but did not say it was definite. The Alligators get a pass for that minor miss since they came close. No lashes with the wet noodle this time. LUJAN VS. KENNEDY
Senator Ben Ray Lujan's clash with Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. at a Senate Finance Committee hearing last week was met with mixed reviews across the socials. Some supported Lujan for calling out Kennedy's performance while others labeled Lujan's behavior theater that veered to the bizarre when he wondered if Kennedy could understand his "New Mexico accent." The cabinet secretary bristled under Lujan's questioning, accusing him of reciting "gibberish" and "showboating" for the cameras for his 2026 re-election campaign. Lujan says Kennedy's health policies are endangering the public health and he should resign. The seven minute exchange with Kennedy is here. Lujan reported $2.68 million in cash on hand as of June 30. No Republican has yet announced a challenge to Lujan. One other note. How unusual was it to see a scion of the Catholic Kennedy family, one of the most popular political clans ever in northern New Mexico, tangle with a Hispanic Democratic Catholic Senator Ben Ray Lujan? Surely that is politics turned upside down. QUANTUM QUANDRY Reader Phil Leckman offers thoughts on our blog of last week pointing out that the excitement over quantum computing as an economic boost for the state follows so many others that never panned out: While not disputing the overall point of the blog post, I think you are pushing your argument a little too vigorously. I imagine that many in Rio Rancho - population less than 10,000 in 1980 when Intel set up shop, and more than 130,000 today - would disagree with you that Intel's operations there have had "no lasting legacy." Intel remains Rio Rancho's largest industry by far, with more than 3,000 employees and an annual economic impact of more than a billion dollars. And while Schott Solar's local tenure was brief, Albuquerque's long-term support for the solar industry also led to the rise of Array Technologies, now a publicly-traded multi-billion-dollar company with a manufacturing presence on three continents that's still headquartered here in New Mexico. Array - which is also responsible for New Mexico's only resident billionaire - is only one of many successful, profitable solar-industry firms that have taken root here. Are any of these game-changers on the scale of a Microsoft or Amazon? Perhaps not, but their long-term economic impact is profound and it seems misguided to minimize it.  Our "legacy" reference to Intel was not meant to demean the company but to point out that the metro area has not gotten much spin off of other high tech firms from Intel's presence here. Also, Intel now employs less than 3,000 after 227 layoffs the company announced in July. As for Array, the founder of Array Technologies who became a billionaire is Ron Corio. He founded the company in 1989 in Albuquerque, initially focusing on solar tracking systems. Following Array Technologies' IPO in 2020, Corio sold his 38% stake for an estimated $1.2 billion. Phil offered some exceptions to the rule that when econ planners and politicians promise big, look for a bust. Reader Alan Schwartz added to our list of imagined economic booms: Joe, don't forget the 2010 Greeen2V billion dollar investment plan that tanked. It proposed to turn "sand into killowatts." And don't forget the "we're in the running" stories for Tesla Model S, or was it their battery factory? Then there was the Space Force. And how's that Hydrogen hub coming along? We know about Maxeon but what's the status on Ebon Solar? Some days I think there is a stack of preprinted forms on the 11th floor reading: "We're in the running for _____hundred high paying jobs, with an economic benefit of _____ billions over the next _____ decades. Ron Nelson chimes in: Once again you hit the nail on the head. However you left out the multi-million dollar “super computer” that Gov. Richardson bought that never made it out of the packing crates. ALLIGATORS FOREVER  We, the Alligators of New Mexico, protest your use of AI to run odds on the mayoral races. We resent those artificial prognosticators who know nothing of NM Politics aka the “dark arts." AI robots weren’t there when the deals got struck and they’ve never done a single lap around the Roundhouse. Where were these robots when us Alligators were suffering through our 15th statewide party convention or spinning a candidate’s poll with a local reporter? AI doesn’t know the difference between a chicharrón and a chico. They don’t know what we know here in the swamps of La Política! We’re the political odds makers in NM! Alligators forever! Yikes! Taken to the woodshed by my own Gators, proving again that no one controls those wily creatures. Yes, long live the Alligators and our beloved La Política. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Thursday, September 04, 2025On The Biz Beat With Quantum Computing: Will State's New Economic Dream Be Just Another Disappointing Sideshow? History Says It May It is an interesting sideshow but stands in stark contrast to the mayoral campaigns in ABQ and Santa Fe focusing as they are on the long struggle here to address homelessness, crime and rampant drug dealing and addiction. MLG says she wants the state to be the “home of quantum computing" but such grand goal setting has been notably absent during her seven years at the helm when it comes to the aforementioned social issues. She has tried to chip away at them without ever acting on them in the singular way she is cheerleading esoteric quantum technology. It is the decayed social environment that has kept the state an economic backwater, with little population growth, a stagnant economy, caused professionals (e.g. doctors) to reject the state and created a general malaise regrading the future. The sideshow strategy by the state's political class has a long and sorry history but apparently a successful one. The electorate has repeatedly given second terms to its top leaders. Here's a glimpse of that history. Eclipse Aviation. Touted as the centerpiece for making ABQ a hub for all sorts of aviation firms, Eclipse crashed and burned after hefty government subsidies. Intel--A shining star when it set up shop here in the 80's, the spinoff firms that were predicted to result in a mini Silicon Valley never happened. Today Intel here is a shell of its former self and with no lasting legacy. Innovate ABQ--This was the brainchild of ABQ Mayor Richard Berry to create economic and job creation at a seven acre campus near downtown. Millions of dollars later, it fizzled. ART--Another Mayor Berry scheme that tore up Central Avenue to create a fast bus lane and spur the economy but instead caused economic chaos on the Route 66 corridor that persists to this day.  Today Maxeon Corporation, a Singapore-based solar manufacturing firm, is dubbed the new hope and is receiving generous government subsides but has now announced severe financial challenges and has delayed plans to build here. Space--Not entirely a disappointment but the Spaceport was to be a launching pad for Virgin Galactic to send tourists into space, fostering an economic boom in the desert near T or C. After more than 15 years, it still hasn't happened. Related to that is Orion Center, a satellite builder described as an economic "game-changer" by Mayor Keller where more than a thousand would be employed. Now long gone. Legal Marijuana--MLG pushed for nothing harder during her two terms than legal marijuana. When she finally got it, she declared; "The legalization of adult-use cannabis paves the way for the creation of a new economic driver in our state with the promise of creating thousands of good paying jobs for years to come." Instead the industry is a mess and those "thousands of good paying jobs" remain a mirage. Imagine if the financial and intellectual resources spent on these failed efforts had gone to address what really troubles the state today. There is a difference with the quantum project. It is not a public-private partnership but one with the federal government's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. Maybe that gives it a better chance of success? Maybe. At the ceremony announcing the partnership, state Economic Development Secretary Rob Black said: One of "those days," or as Frank sang, "just one of those things"? ABOUT QUANTUM The definition: Quantum computing is an emergent field of computer science and engineering that harnesses the unique qualities of quantum mechanics to solve problems beyond the ability of even the most powerful classical computers. The field of quantum computing includes a range of disciplines, including quantum hardware and quantum algorithms. While still in development, quantum technology will soon be able to solve complex problems that classical supercomputers can’t solve (or can’t solve fast enough). This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Wednesday, September 03, 2025AI Put To Work on Santa Fe Mayoral Race; Grok Has Garcia With Early Lead But Race Is "Wide Open" With two term incumbent and progressive Democrat Alan Webber not seeking a third term and with no dominant name seeking to replace him, AI concludes what most human observers believe--that the race is wide open with City Councilor Michael Garcia perhaps having a slight edge in the early going. Here's Grok in Santa Fe: The 2025 Santa Fe mayoral election is shaping up to be a highly competitive race with no clear front runner at this stage. Incumbent Mayor Alan Webber has announced he will not seek a third term, leaving the field open for several candidates. Seven candidates have declared their bids: City Councilor Michael Garcia, former City Councilors JoAnne Vigil Coppler and Ron Trujillo, former city Finance Director Oscar Rodriguez, former county clerk candidate Leticia Montoya, and political consultant Tarin Nix. Additionally, County Commissioner Justin Greene has also announced his candidacy. A mysterious poll conducted in May 2025, reported by The New Mexican, indicated that a large majority of voters remain undecided, with City Councilor Michael Garcia leading among named candidates at 15% support. However, the poll’s origins are unclear, and its results should be treated with caution due to the lack of transparency about its methodology and sponsorship. The poll also highlighted voter dissatisfaction with current city leadership and identified key issues like crime, housing affordability, traffic, infrastructure, and homelessness as top concerns. Given the lack of definitive polling and the early stage of the campaign, it’s challenging to pinpoint a likely winner. Michael Garcia may have an edge as a current elected official in the race, potentially benefiting from name recognition and his position as a critic of the current administration. However, other candidates like JoAnne Vigil Coppler, who ran against Webber in 2021, and Oscar Rodriguez, with his experience in city and town management, could gain traction depending on their campaign strategies and voter outreach. Tarin Nix and Leticia Montoya, while less experienced in elected roles, are focusing on improving city services, which could resonate with voters frustrated by current conditions. The use of ranked-choice voting in Santa Fe means the winner will need to secure over 50% of the vote, either in the first round or through subsequent rounds of vote redistribution, which adds complexity to predicting an outcome. In summary, no candidate can be confidently named as the likely winner at this point. Michael Garcia appears to have an early lead based on limited polling, but the high number of undecided voters and the competitive field suggest the race is wide open. Not bad, Grok. You get a free software update for your efforts. That Councilor Garcia has stuck his neck above the field is not surprising. Debbie Jaramillo was elected mayor from the council in '94 and David Coss did the same in 2006. In 2014, Javier Gonzales was a Santa Fe County Commissioner when he became mayor. That history brings Commissioner Greene to the fore who Grok did not address. Greene is a favorite of the progressives and could give Garcia his stiffest challenge. Is the race going to come down to those two or will firebrand Ron Trujillo heat things up? Can either of the women contenders--Nix and Coppler Vigil--break out? Does dark horse Rodriguez catch a wave? To be continued. . . This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. Tuesday, September 02, 2025Can AI Predict The Outcome Of The ABQ Mayoral Race? We Put It To The Test, Plus: Schooled By Trump: Latest State Broadband Plan Bows To Satellite Delivery So today we swallow our pride and ask AI--in this case Grok--what are the odds that ABQ Mayor Tim Keller will be elected to a third term? Grok's response begins with the positive factors for the incumbent followed by the negatives. Incumbency Advantage: Keller has strong name recognition and a track record, having won in 2017 with 62% in a runoff and in 2021 with 56% outright. Incumbents often benefit from established voter bases and campaign infrastructure. Financial Backing: Keller is leading the financial race with $756,000 in public funds, supplemented by a measure finance committee, totaling around $880,000. . .This financial edge could amplify his campaign’s reach. Policy Achievements: Keller emphasizes progress on initiatives like the Gateway Center for homelessness, clearing the rape kit backlog, and investments in parks, libraries, and housing. He also highlights moving the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) toward exiting the DOJ consent decree. These accomplishments may resonate with voters seeking continuity. Historical Context: While no Albuquerque mayor has served three consecutive terms, Keller’s campaign frames him as a “battle-tested” leader, potentially appealing to voters wary of untested candidates FACTORS AGAINST Voter Fatigue and Approval Decline: Keller’s approval rating dropped from 77% in 2020 to 49% in 2022, a 28% decrease among his own Democratic base, reflecting dissatisfaction with issues like crime and homelessness. Rising Crime and Homelessness: Critics, including opponents like Darren White, Mayling Armijo and Eddie Varela, argue that crime and homelessness have worsened during Keller’s tenure. Homelessness increased from 1,152 in 2021 to 2,394 in 2023, an 83% rise, which opponents use to challenge his record. Crowded Field: Seven candidates, including Keller, have qualified for the ballot, with notable challengers like former U.S. Attorney Alex Uballez and former Sheriff Darren White. A crowded field could split votes, potentially forcing a runoff if Keller doesn’t secure 50%. GROK ANALYSIS  Good stuff from Grok but it's still up to a real live political reporter to clarify as well as make the odds that Grok shies away from. First, Keller's overall approval rating was not 49 percent in November 2022. We told Grok to clarify: According to a November 2022 Albuquerque Journal poll, Tim Keller’s overall approval rating among likely Albuquerque voters was 33%, not 49%. However, the same poll noted that among Democrats specifically, Keller had a 49% approval rating, with 20% disapproving. This distinction is critical, as the 49% figure applies only to Democratic voters, not the general electorate. The overall 33% approval rating reflects a broader decline in support, with 40% disapproving and 21% expressing mixed feelings. And since Grok won't be an odds maker, it's back to us. So. . . THE ODDS Odds that Keller finishes first in the November 3 election? We put those at 1/5, meaning a $100 bet would pay only $120 with an 83 percent probability that Keller will finish first among the seven mayoral candidates on the ballot. Odds that there will be a run-off election between the two top finishers if no candidate gets 50 percent of the vote in the initial election? We see a 70 percent chance that there will be a run-off or odds of 3/7. If you agree and bet $100 and there is a run-off, the payout would be $143.00. On the other hand, we place the odds of there being no run-off at 5 to 1, with a winning $100 bet paying $600. The reason the odds on a run-off occurring are not in the 80 percent or above range is because so far Keller appears to be the only candidate to have the funds for an extensive media campaign. That could change. Thanks for keeping us on our toes, Grok, but it appears you have a way to go before you take over the world. SCHOOLED BY TRUMP  That's a reason for mild celebration as the Trump administration forced the states to take another look at deploying satellite internet before letting $42 billion in federal broadband funds out the door, including $675 million for New Mexico. There are still 43,000 unserved and underserved locations in the state, according to the Broadband Office. In the second look required by Washington, the state is proposing 32 projects. Forty-four percent of the locations would get high-speed fiber, 40 percent fixed wireless and 13 percent satellite service as provided by Starlink and others. Today is the final day for public comment on the plan. There's an online form that has a list of technical parts of the plan to comment on but there is also a space for "other." We checked that and made comments supporting more satellite delivery than the planned 13 percent. The form to comment is here. We and a number of our readers have been pounding the table for satellite hook ups to mostly rural households where kids are stranded waiting for the costly and very slow rollout of fiber. But the Broadband Office was notorious in their opposition to satellite as were some Democrats in the legislature who killed a $75 million appropriation for satellite pushed by MLG. The inclusion of satellite in the state plan--albeit at a still too low rate--is a victory over the stagnant status quo that afflicts so much of the state bureaucracy. Like it or not, the Trump administration gets credit. So be on high alert Broadband Office Director Jeff Lopez. The slower the fiber rollout takes the more heat your bosses in Washington will be applying on you to increase satellite delivery and get this long delayed job done once and for all. Don't say we didn't tell you. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
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