We posted a couple of days ago (see Making Radiowaves below) about how the race for City Council District Four is shaping up. Lobbyist Scott Scanland said it came up on his radar when he heard Republican heavyweights were backing challenger Patrick Milligan. Now comes word that Winter has Vic Segura, himself a two time City Council candidate, as his campaign manager. It's a sign that Winter is taking the bid seriously as we know Vic as a guy familiar with the rough and tumble of ABQ politics. He ran against Sam Bregman in 1995 in Winter's District and he made another stab at the Council from the Westside in 01.'

As we have reported, the town awaits how the pro-business PAC Greater Albuquerque Committee will spend its bankroll. They have started with some rough phone calls against their opponents. Will they stay rough? They have not endorsed Winter, who at first decided not to seek re-election, then said he was back in because the Greater ABQ PAC was trying to keep neighborhood involvement out of city politics. Both Winter and Milligan are Republicans but the Greater ABQ PAC likes its politics conservative, not moderate like Winter, so they threw their endorsement to Milligan. We'll talk to Winter and Milligan in the coming days to get a better handle on this race. Before its all over, Winter may be glad he has a tough political operative like Segura on his side. By the way, Vic's brother, Anthony, also doesn't shy away from politics. He was deep in the trenches with Marty Chavez in the 01' mayoral battle.

Thanks for tuning in. Tell your friends about us. Our address is: http://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/. Email news of interest at jmonahan@ix.netcom.com. There is a link on the top of the page to send the e mail.