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Wednesday, October 01, 2025Hot Button Healthcare Item Has Senate Majority Leader Feeling Heat; Makes A Closely Watched Promise On Medical Compacts; Guv Puts Item On Special Session Agenda But Only For "Study", Plus: Complete Special Session Agenda
Wirth's woes began when he fought the move to place on today's special session agenda the adoption of interstate compacts for doctors and other health care workers. Those are agreements among states to accept medical licenses from other states that have adopted the compacts. An example would be a doctor licensed in Texas showing that license to the NM Medical Board and quickly getting licensed here. The problem is that Wirth is a noted Santa Fe trial attorney, a profession that has opposed the compacts despite their adoption in over 40 other states. The lawyers oppose a provision that prevents them from suing the interstate compact commissions, the boards that oversee each compact. Against that backdrop the Democratic leader stiffened his spine and came with this retort against his opponents: Healthcare policy should not be held hostage to short-term grant deadlines. Making permanent changes to professional licensing standards based on temporary funding availability and an ever-changing set of rules coming from the federal government sets a dangerous precedent. (Lawmakers) need the time between the special session and January to examine how the compacts would interact with New Mexico’s existing laws and ensure changes serve providers and patients long-term. Trouble is the compacts easily passed the House last session but were thwarted in the Senate by maneuvering over amendments. Then there's Wirth's fellow Democrat, MLG, saying she wanted the compacts considered at the special session but could not include the item in her agenda because it would be blocked by "legislative leaders." The Governor does list the compacts on her special session agenda but only for study not legislative action: Back to Senator Wirth. The dam could not hold and he soon changed his tune as a backlash developed. His new and improved statement brought forth the promise that is now under the microscope: I do support the medical compacts. I think that’s priority number one, and we’re going to get that done in January and work hard between now and then to make it happen. But it’s just not ready to go at this point in the special session. No wonder there was political backlash to Wirth's initial reticence. New Mexicans across the state are bemoaning the lack of doctors, swapping horror stories about months-long waits to see a provider or having to take themselves or their sick kids in need of specialists across state lines. And getting on Zoom is not an option if the Doc is not licensed here. To block a relatively simple measure like the compacts that could make a dent in the doctor shortage is untenable for the Democrats. That the Republicans have signed on to the compacts makes matters worse for them. COMPACT BINOCULARS Approving the compacts would not be the waving of a magic wand but it is a step to directly addressing the lack of doctors available to see the sick. Wirth's pledge to "get that done" means the majority leader can take his back off the Roundhouse walls for now, but it will be right back on them if his day job interferes with his pledge to take action (and not action that butchers the compacts.) Fred Nathan of Think Mexico already has his binoculars on and remains worried: Stay tuned. A DIFFERENT ANGLE  A more impactful solution, particularly for New Mexicans seeking out-of-state care, would be to automatically license physicians at major medical centers to practice in NM. This would enable patients who travel for care to legally receive telemedicine follow-up consultations. Examples of major medical centers include MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for cancer care; The Steadman Clinic and Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedic care; and the Mayo Clinics and Cleveland Clinic for a wide range of conditions. Surely someone knowledgable in public health issues could develop suitable criteria or a list of centers. Thanks David. Good luck with your healthcare journey. SPECIAL AGENDA Here is the Governor's complete special session agenda as released by her office:--Rural Health Care Delivery Fund expansion: Amending the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to allow for grants to health care providers and facilities in high-needs geographic health professional shortage areas and stabilize the provision of existing health care services. --Health insurance exchange eligibility: Adjusting eligibility requirements for participating in the New Mexico health insurance exchange. --Vaccine standards: Requiring rules for the immunization of children attending school or child care to be based on the recommendations of the New Mexico Department of Health, allowing the Department of Health to set vaccination standards for adults, and requiring vaccines purchased pursuant to the statewide vaccine purchasing program to be recommended by the Department of Health. --Federal budget cuts response: Appropriating funds to respond to recent federal budget cuts. --Western New Mexico University Board of Regents: Confirming regents to the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents.  --Behavioral health legal proceedings: Appropriating funds to the Administrative Office of the Courts for a competency pilot program and behavioral health support for parties in legal proceedings. --Appropriation Contingency Fund: Transferring funds into the Appropriation Contingency Fund to ensure New Mexico has money set aside for emergency response. --Regulation and Licensing Department funding: Appropriating funds to supplement the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department's budget. --Interstate medical licensing compact: Studying and preparing for the implementation of any interstate medical licensing compact. --Legislative expenses: Appropriating funds for the expenses of the Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Special Session, 2025. The New Mexican has a play by play on each item. THE BOTTOM LINES Now there are six, but the names of seven mayoral candidates will still be on the November 4 ABQ election ballot. The candidacy of Daniel Chavez has imploded as the candidate deals with a battery charge and the ABQ Journal poll that had him receiving only 1 percent of the vote. He cited that poll--not his legal troubles--as the reason for ending his mayoral run. Coming as late as his withdrawal does, his name will remain on the ballot. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics. Tuesday, September 30, 2025Special Session Scored As Trump Bashing Party But Major DC Health Care Cuts Loom Over Roundhouse, Plus: Medicaid For New Mexico's Future; Strategies Weighed That question has been repeated and answered by state Republicans who say MLG's decision to call a special is simply an opportunity to bash Trump. Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer claims the session is about "fantasy worries" and says no New Mexican will lose Medicaid or food stamps for at least 18 months. To me, this session is really just to stand up there and talk about how evil Trump is because there’s nothing that needs to be fixed right now. No doubt the Democratic majority will have sharp words for the Trump presidency and Sharer's concern about an overtly political session resonate but shocking numbers repeatedly cited by Sen. Martin Heinrich give pause to that concern. What's coming down the tracks looks like a locomotive filled with dynamite ready to explode on impact--special session or not. Heinrich, whose estimates come from the NM Health Care Authority and other experts, has been ringing the bell for months on the potential crisis, saying the state is in line to lose $4 billion in federal Medicaid funding each year over the next five years--a $20 billion hit. The forthcoming cuts to Medicaid--if accurate and if they stand--are an existential threat to the state's finances even as we rake in billions from oil and gas. The stunning cuts reflect New Mexico's status as a welfare state with more residents (40 percent) dependent on the program than any other. The program costs about $10 billion annually. The Feds cover two-thirds ($6–7 billion). A $4 billion annual cut would wipe out half the federal share and leave the state staring at an estimated 90,000 people losing benefits, according to Heinrich. It would be a generational tragedy if the ample state reserves built up in various funds had to be drawn down to make up for humongous federal cuts, not to mention the possibility of tax increases. The Trump administration says the cuts target "waste, fraud, and abuse," including stricter work requirements for able-bodied adults and reduced funding for undocumented immigrants. The special session will, as Sen. Sharer asserts, spend plenty of time on non urgent issues. For example, appropriating money to make up for federal public broadcasting cuts could wait until the January session. But if the session makes progress in raising awareness about what may be one of our most pressing financial challenges than it could be worth the drive up La Bajada. THE FUTURE MEDICAID
Joe, the last time New Mexico truly reformed Medicaid was in 1997, when I was Cabinet Secretary and we converted a bloated fee-for-service program into a managed care system. Since then, there have been no meaningful changes — only cosmetic rebrands. Medicaid has multiplied ten fold in size and cost. Providers are leaving, patients can’t get appointments, and outcomes are flat. The strategy: --Run Medicaid as a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). Other states have cut out pharmacy middlemen and saved hundreds of millions. West Virginia saved $54M in its first year, Ohio uncovered $224M/year in spread pricing, and New York projects $500M+ annually. New Mexico should do the same, with full rebate pass-through and caps on reimbursable executive pay. --Our managed care contracts must be rebid with accountability baked in. That means penalties, bonuses, secret shopper audits, and transparency. And no more underwriting golden parachutes: Presbyterian’s CEO was paid $4.5M in one year, while Molina’s CEO pocketed a $181M package built on Medicaid revenues. “If managed care means mismanaged money and million-dollar CEO payouts, we rebid the contracts and change the rules.” --Medicaid should only serve those lawfully entitled to benefits. That means real-time eligibility checks, consistent redeterminations, and integration with SNAP. Every ineligible enrollee drains resources from those truly in need. “Medicaid is for the eligible — not everyone who slips through the cracks.” --Massachusetts and Oregon have capped Medicaid growth at 3–4% annually. New Mexico must do the same. Families and businesses can’t outspend their paychecks — neither should Santa Fe. “A sustainable Medicaid program lives within its means.” --About 5% of enrollees consume 50% of all spending. These patients need smarter, integrated care — “health homes,” predictive analytics, and case management to cut ER overuse, duplicate testing, and readmissions. “Care for the sickest better — and spend smarter while we do it.” --The LFC has revealed Medicaid IT modernization costs ballooning to over $800M, with delays into FY27 and no evidence of better access. That’s nearly a billion dollars on back-office systems while patients still can’t get an appointment. Future RFPs must push IT costs onto vendors, integrate systems with SNAP, and include clawbacks if results don’t materialize. --We’ve spent $2.2B on provider rate hikes with more than $1B going to hospitals. Yet patients still face long waits and too few providers. Any future raises must be contingent on measurable improvements in access and outcomes. “Bigger checks must buy better care. No results, no raise.” Other states have already proven these reforms work. New Mexico has simply lacked the will. The last time we fixed Medicaid, it lasted a generation. Now, the costs are higher, the problems deeper, and the stakes even greater. The question is whether we will treat Medicaid reform with the urgency it deserves. If we don’t, nothing else — not classrooms, not roads, not water, not wages — will have the oxygen to succeed. 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 29, 2025A Dissatsified City Is Also Dissatisfied With Mayoral Choices; Journal Poll Shows Undecided Voters Exceptionally High; Keller Leads But Draws Just 29 Percent As His Foes Lag Far Behind; Election '25 News And Analysis Is Up Next
A city dissatisfied with the direction it's going in is also dissatisfied with the choices to lead the city for the next four years. The dreary details are revealed in the ABQ Journal poll of the November 4 mayoral race, showing none of the seven candidates could even manage 30 percent of the vote. Also, in what appears to be an historic high for this stage of a mayoral campaign, 37 percent of likely voters polled describe themselves as undecided. Granted, there hasn't been much of a campaign and the race should grow more heated In October but no one is expecting fireworks. Mayor Tim Keller, seeking an unprecedented third consecutive four year term, is in a fight with himself. His low approval ratings are haunting him as Keller only pulls 29 percent of the vote despite having nearly universal name ID. The problem is illustrated with this social media reaction to the poll from Brett Hendrickson: Keller has had 8 years to clean up the city and now wants another 4 years. Where is the logic in giving him another term? I don’t trust polling. Driving down Central, Zuni, and Menaul is enough for anyone to want change. Keller's campaign said of the poll: Our campaign is strong, our message is resonating, and Mayor Tim Keller is in the lead. In a crowded field of seven, Tim is the clear frontrunner. . . 37% of voters are still undecided. That means this race is far from over. And with Darren White — a Trump lackey who represents a dangerous, backwards vision for Albuquerque — in second place, it’s clear what’s at stake. The landscape still points to Democrat Keller coming in first but getting 50 percent of the vote in order to avoid a run-off election with probable second place finisher Darren White remains a steep climb. White, however, is worse off. The former sheriff's 16 percent support is half of what the main GOP candidate in the contest could expect at this point. That he is nowhere close to that level speaks to the high pile of negative baggage he's accumulated with fellow Republicans during his time in the public eye including his controversial move into the legal marijuana business That makes any Keller-White run-off already looking like a fait accompli for the incumbent.
Mayling Armijo, Daniel Chavez and Eddie Varela are polling at one or two percent. The Journal showed those levels of support among Dems, Republicans and indys. That makes the trio nonfactors in the contest. Progressive former US Attorney Alex Uballez falls flat, garnering a mere 6 percent of the vote. He now has to determine how fluid the electorate is, if he can make a major move and muster the necessary money. A tough position but still a lingering threat if something big should happen. His campaign said of the survey: This election will be decided by the 37% of likely voters who are still undecided and the unlikely voters we recruit into the project of democracy. Predictably, the top two candidates currently are the incumbent with only 29% support and Darren White with only 16% support. . .Any poll done this far out from the election is more a measure of name recognition than it is support. Alex’s main competition in this race is name recognition, nothing else. For now Trump does not appear to be strongly motivating the progressive vote. Keller, who gets 43 percent Democratic support in the survey, will work to change that as will Uballez. MONEY MATTERS The Mayor is the only candidate who can really do much of anything in the final stretch because he is the only hopeful with any significant money. He was the only one to qualify for over $750,000 in public financing when the others failed. They then failed to raise money from a public they have yet to impress. As of September 8 Keller had $654,000 in public financing still left to spend and an outside PAC supporting his candidacy reported $120,000 in cash. That's $774,000 of messaging power versus White's $130,000 in cash; Sanchez's $149K and $116,000 for Uballez. The Journal poll could make raising additional money to take on Keller even more difficult. Keller will likely be the only candidate with a significant TV ad campaign. The vast majority of voters in a mayoral race are well over 50 and watch local TV news stations and their network programming. Younger voters, much less likely to vote, are not big TV watchers but are glued to social media. The lack of enthusiasm or even the disdain for the mayoral field drew this comment from longtime political analyst and Santa Fe attorney Greg Payne: After this poll Keller ought to change his campaign slogan to "Better the Devil You Know." GETTING TO 50
Here is a closer look at that extraordinary 37 percent of voters who say they are still undecided. When those undecided voters were asked which candidate they were leaning toward, most still said they were not sure. But with those who did express a “lean” factored in, Keller’s support in the survey rose to 35%, with White’s support at roughly 19%. Even after the "leans" are accounted for 29 percent of voters remain undecided. That signals a low voter turnout, well below the 120,000 who voted for mayor in 2021. That favors Keller's political machine which is well-financed and can target the most likely voters with expensive mail and TV. Ordinarily most analysts would not entertain the thought of having no run-off election in a seven candidate field but the massive financial mismatch and the weakness of the opposing campaigns still keeps some hope alive in the Keller camp that they can get him to an outright majority. The Journal has Keller’s approval rating at 42%, up about 10% from a couple of years ago so that also puts the 50% mark on the table. That may be the most suspenseful question going forward unless his challengers can somehow reverse course in roughly the month remaining on the '25 election calendar Th Journal polled 514 likely city voters Sept. 19-26. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percent. 96 percent of voters polled were reached by cell phone and 4 percent by landlines. 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 25, 2025Poll Says Santa Fe Voters Are Very Unhappy Over City's Direction and Turning To Michael Garcia In Mayor's Race; He Sports A Solid Lead And Challengers Appear To Face Steep Climb Catching
The Garcia surge to replace two-term Mayor Alan Webber was actually recorded Aug18-24 in a poll conducted on behalf of the Santa Fe Realtors Association, but the group did not release the survey until this week. When they did it was a jaw dropper because Garcia appeared considerably ahead. There is another catch to the poll by American Strategies which does polling for real estate groups nationally. They did not have a horse race question, matching the contenders against each other. Instead they chose to ask voters if they rated the candidates favorably or unfavorably. Garcia fared far better than any other candidate in the race, with 14% of voters rating him "very favorably" and 29% "somewhat favorably." Ron Trujillo ranked second, with 31% finding him favorable (8% very favorable), and JoAnne Vigil Coppler third, with 28% finding her favorable (5% very favorable). This is Trujillo's second try for mayor. He is an anti-Webber populist but Garcia is doing better at bottling the anger of voters. The other four candidates, including progressive Santa Fe County Commissioner Justin Greene, were largely unknown to those polled. All the hopefuls have only about a month to turn the race around. That will take a hearty Stop Garcia movement featuring high octane negative messaging to reverse the trend, say experts such as Sana Fe Fe attorney, former state legislator and political consultant Greg Payne: I think it's an uphill battle for all of the Garcia challengers. If I had to predict today, I'd say Garcia wins. But my main take away from this poll is, the people of Santa Fe are pissed off. Mayor Webber is seen as a total failure. Payne's perception is grounded in this finding of the poll of 400 Santa Fe registered voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent: As we've commented of late crime and homelessness in Santa Fe are starting to remind us of how ABQs problems accelerated with the same issues and contue to challenge the city today. Garcia can't wave a magic wand but as a pragmatic centrist with a masters in public administration, he said he plans to restore stable management to the city which has he says has been hampered under Webber. His mantra on improving basic city services is apparently catching fire. On homelessness he says he would like to pursue a plan that is similar to ABQ's Gateway Center where a variety of services are offered to assist people start anew rather than simply providing temporary shelters. The front running Garcia is not without baggage. He has developed a reputation for confrontation over unity and he has bailed on some key council votes on key issues like crime. But overall he projects confidence and competence and most important, he is not a woke progressive like Webber who after eight years has worn out his welcome. That Garcia and Trujillo are the two candidates who poll the best also may speak to a yearning by City Different voters to have a native son with deep roots in the community take the helm. Garcia is not a businessman, his career has been in the nonprofit world, but he is fond of saying running a city is not a business and points to Webber's experience as a wealthy entrepreneur in administering the city and coming up short. He gives the mayor's performance an F minus. MLG recently endorsed her old friend Joanne Vigil Coppler for mayor but that is seen as a personal nod and having little impact on the race. For Garcia, who was also ahead in the only other public poll released over the summer, now needs to avoid a foot-in-the-mouth moment, take his positive numbers and steer to victory. For the challengers the heavy guns must be fired to slow his march but with no big money poised to do that, a win could be in store for the 45 year old Garcia. Here is video of a recent in-depth interview done with Garcia. American Strategies says it uses in-person telephoning, online sampling and text messaging to compile their surveys. 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 24, 2025Dem Light Guv Race Would Be A Slugfest If SOS Joins Land Commissioner In Contest; Stephanie Answers Maggie's Tease With Name Endorsement, Plus: Udall And Kenny Thomas Pop Into Guv Race
State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has been in the race since March and is of no mind to end her political career at the hands of the SOS. The two Dem titans both boast good name ID and political savvy. The race would be fierce. Even without a formal entry Toulouse Oliver has rattled Garcia Richard's cage. As soon as MTO publicly dangled her possible run the twice elected land commissioner rolled out an endorsement from former Dem US Senator Jeff Bingaman seemingly designed to send MTO a message not to get in. Actor Jane Fonda, a fave of progressives and Anglo boomer women, is also backing Garcia Richard. She once lived here and her former husband, Ted Turner, has extensive state land holdings. MTO is a former two term Bernalillo County Clerk and a twice elected Secretary of State who terms out at the end of 2026. Her base is the biggest voting county in the state and she may believe it gives her the edge in a primary. She did, however, lose statewide in 2014 when she lost the SOS race to Republican Dianna Duran. If this match-up happens, it could be a fight to the political death. Both would be so bloodied by the end that recovering from defeat would be improbable. THREE WAY RACE  Either Garcia Richard or Toulouse Oliver could handle the sparse duties of lieutenant governor but if they think it could be the gateway to being elected Governor, history is a harsh reminder. No #2 in modern state history has gone up that ladder. Both of them are long-term public employees and getting a four year gig (or eight) would get them closer to the years they need to enhance their PERA checks. Speaking of endorsements, former US Senator Tom Udall, 77, wants a fellow progressive to advance to the governorship so he has come out for Deb Haaland. He did so on the very day that that Haaland opponent Sam Bregman was announcing his 189 page Blueprint for New Mexico and when Bregman also came with a name endorsement. Basketball legend Kenny Thomas gave him the nod. The two endorsements restate the obvious in the Guv campaign--Haaland is the fave of most women and progressives while Bregman and Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima are more favored by men and centrists. 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 23, 2025Dem Guv Candidate Bregman Supports Bill To Let Out Of State Doctors And Other Healthcare Workers Practice Here; Trial Lawyers May Be Softening Opposition But MLG Says No Deal Struck With Key Dem Senators To Put It On Special Session Agenda The question surfaced again after '26 Dem Guv candidate Sam Bregman last week released his Blueprint for New Mexico. He said, if elected, he would support the state adopting interstate health compacts that would allow doctors and other medical practitioners outside New Mexico to see patients here. Bregman is now the BernCo District Attorney, but previously he was a high-profile trial lawyer. His support for the state signing on to the compacts comes amid talk that the NM Trial Lawyers Association, many of whose members support a PAC to fight medical malpractice reforms, apparently is no longer opposed to the compacts. That could make the moment ripe for Gov. Lujan Grisham to get the proposal before the special session of the legislature that she has called for October 1. MLG said Monday she would put the issue on the special session agenda if legislative leadership agreed but they don't. That kicks it to the regular session in January. Here is video of her statement. The trial lawyers have been concerned that compacts shields the commissions running them from lawsuits, which endangers accountability. Their critics say they are more worried about losing their shot at big settlements. 43 other sates have already signed off on various compacts. ROUNDHOUSE STALL State Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joe Cervantes, a trial attorney, has been adamant in his opposition to the compacts and has stalled them after they cleared the House unanimously. He teamed with fellow trial attorney and ABQ Dem Senator Katy Duhigg to pile on amendments. At the last session 10 medical compacts were considered that would have opened the state's doors to doctors, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, dentists and more. Cervantes did not respond to an inquiry to determine if his stance has changed. Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, also a trial attorney, said the issue should wait until January: We need the time to examine how interstate compacts would interact with New Mexico’s existing laws and ensure that any changes truly serve the long-term interests of providers and patients. Cervantes later came with this comment:  The state has taken measures to allow more out of state physicians access but compact proponents say it is nowhere near enough and that it is long overdue for the state to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact that allows medical practitioners licensed in other states to practice here. The doctor shortage is most severe in rural areas. The compacts, supporters say, could see border communities attract more doctors to provide care. Examples include doctors going from Durango to Farmington and from El Paso to Las Cruces. Trial lawyers have also been fighting against medical malpractice insurance reforms. They may be willing to offer the compacts as a compromise as their standing with the public comes under pressure. At least that's the buzz that is building. But the Governor and Cervantes working together seems critical to pushing the compacts over the line, As for malpractice reform, in his blueprint Bregman does not embrace it, saying there is "no silver bullet" for the doctor shortage. However, he does propose tax credits for physicians facing escalating insurance premiums for malpractice coverage. 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 22, 2025First Scientific Poll Coming In ABQ Mayoral Race; Sunday Release Slated As Keller Challengers Still Scurry For Funds And Recognition, Plus: Massive Project Jupiter At State Border Wins Approval
Longtime Research and Polling President Brian Sanderoff confirms the poll will be out Sunday, Sept. 28. That's the good news. The bad news is it may be the only one. "Just one poll is planned at this time." He said. For those new to New Mexico and polling here, Sanderoff, 71, has been polling the state for the Journal for 40 years. Pundit Nate Silver's 2025 ratings of 27 national polling firms ranks Research and Polling as the fourth most accurate in the nation. That's heady territory for a New Mexico based business. The firm relies on in-person phone calls to prospective voters, the most accurate method of determining how they may vote. A scientific poll with a randomized and representative sample, rigorous methodology, and statistical weighting for accuracy--is a specialized service. There are not many firms around anymore that do it, with more reliance on the Internet for surveys. The personal phone polling is expensive with cost of a basic city survey estimated to easily reach $30,000 and more as the poll adds questions. As the newspaper industry has been downsized the Journal polls have been less frequent than past election cycles but at least one is conducted for the major elections and usually includes a list of issues that are covered over a week. That can't be easy but the paper, to their credit and their readers' benefit, have stayed the course. Sanderoff is also a political analyst for KOAT-TV but these days politics is only a small part of his company's business which also works for a wide variety of major corporate and government entities. STATE OF THE RACE
The Journal survey should pinpoint that support demographically and also indicate who is most likely to get into a run-off with Keller, if the Mayor fails to reach the 50 percent mark but does come in first or second. Whatever the poll shows, it will be difficult for the challengers to act upon the results. All of them are under-financed. Keller is now spending over $750,000 he qualified for under public financing and an outside PAC supporting him had $120,000 in cash at last report. Republican Darren White and Democrat Louie Sanchez, who has donated a hefty $150,000 in personal funds to his campaign, are both up with radio ads. Keller's campaign has signs dotting front yards around the city and Alex Uballez has a few as well. But most of the campaign has been taking place on social media which is a shot in the dark when it comes to reaching the most likely voters. That will now begin to change with paid media (and negative campaigning) becoming more noticeable. Early voting at the County Clerk's Annex begins October 7. That is also when absentee ballots will be mailed to city voters already on the list. To get an absentee ballot (the deadline to request is Oct. 21) info is here. In-person citywide voting begins Oct. 18. Election Day is November 4. History says well over half the vote will be cast before then. As for TV debates, none have been publicly announced. If any are held and all seven candidates attend, it would be hard for any of them to get an advantage. Often the stations pass on doing debates with such a large field or confine it to digital platforms. THE FORUMS  That will change with forums now scheduled where all or most of the candidates are expected to attend and which should generate media coverage. September 30--The business group NM NAIOP will host the candidates at the ABQ Sheraton Uptown, an event that is usually well-attended and reported on. Journal editor Jay Newton-Small will moderate. October 7--Bike ABQ & Strong Towns will conduct a a mayoral forum at 6 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ. October 16--The Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors® (GAAR) conduct their mayoral forum at 9 a.m at the GAAR Event Center. Tickets are available via the link. JUPITER A GO  Opposition has centered on energy and water issues and tax incentives seen as too generous. But at a tense public meeting the Commission approved the bonds on a 4-1 vote, citing the 750 permanent jobs that the project is predicted to generate as well as a significant increase to the tax base of the poverty-stricken region. The money would be invested over a 30 year period with a $50 billion pop at the beginning. Austin-based BorderPlex Digital Assets is the company making the investment. They will not pay property taxes on the 1,400-acre campus and instead pay the county $360 million over 30 years--$12 million annually. AI developer STACK Infrastructure, owned by private equity firm Blue Owl Capital is a partner with BorderPlex. The enormous numbers involved are representative of the massive AI investment taking place in the nation. Jupiter will have four hyperscale buildings designed for high-density computing, capable of housing thousands of servers for big tech clients.
The BorderPlex Digital leadership team includes former NM Economic Development Secretary Alicia Keyes, working in government affairs, and George P. Bush, a nephew of former President George W. Bush, consulting on strategy. MLG has given the project her full support as has Dona Ana state Rep. Nathan Small, chair of the House Appropriations Committee. The company's NM lobbyist is Vanessa Alarid. Las Cruces area Dem state Reps. Angelica Rubio and Micaela Lara Cadena have opposed Jupiter along with state Sen. Bill Soules. 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 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. E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com) Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. 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. |
 
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