SENS. FIDEL & ALTAMIRANO
What will you be doing at 80 years of age? If you're State Senator Joe Fidel you're announcing to "New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan" that contrary to the rumor mill you WILL seek yet another four year term to the Legislature's upper chamber. I know a lot of us will be lucky to be talking when we turn 80, but Fidel, vice-chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, ran me through the paces in a recent interview from his Grants, NM insurance office where he holds court and plots his next moves on the stage of La Politica.
Insiders at the Capitol report Fidel was absent quite a bit during the January session of the Legislature due to illness. That gave rise to rumors that he was finally ready to head for the rocking chair. But Fidel brushed aside the speculation saying he is up to the job and that with the state headed for rocky financial times his voice is needed more than ever. Fidel turned 80 October 14th, the same day he and his wife Dora celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary!
Fidel ran unopposed in 2000 and he may get a free ride in 04'. Patricia Roybal, top dog at the Grants Economic Development Foundation, was floated as a possible Democratic primary opponent for Fidel, but she told me she is NOT running, although a race could be in her future. She has worked on a dozen campaigns in Texas, she said, but her family roots are in Grants.
Fidel is of Lebanese stock and traces his roots to the first Lebanese immigrants who landed in New Mexico over 100 years ago seeking religious freedom and business opportunity. He made his name and his money in the insurance and real estate biz in Grants. His senate District 30 includes portions of Cibola, Soccoro and Valencia Counties and is safe Democratic. He was first elected to the senate in 1972.
Also, I can confirm that the longest serving member of the senate, Sen. Ben Altamirano, (D- Silver City) is also not ready to make way for the young bucks. The chairman of the Finance Committee came to Santa Fe back in 1970 and is 78 years old. Not only is Altamirano running for another four, and will probably face no significant opposition, but he's actively seeking to become Senate Pro Tem to replace outgoing Senator Richard Romero. Fidel and Altamirano join fellow old bull, State Rep. Fred Luna, 72, (also elected in 1970) in announcing re-election plans. Luna was rumored to be ready to get out of the game, but told me earlier (see my October archives) that he is a go in 04'.
The only consolation for the young politicos is that they alsp may have a chance to take their careers where no one has dared tread, but not before Fidel, Altamirano and Luna take one last bite out of a political apple that has nourished them longer than even they must have expected.
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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
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