CADIGAN
It's no surprise to readers of "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" that the Westside's Michael Cadigan was named president of the ABQ city council last night and Eric Griego picked as vice-president. We broke the Cadigan story November 18 (see below). Cadigan wrapped up the leadership post when Councilor Gomez would not go for Griego. (Gomez last night even voted NO on Griego for VP. What happened to their love fest?) I have received a lot of "spin" on this story from many different quarters, but the bottom line is that Griego could not persuade his fellow councilors to give him the job for a variety of reasons, including his sometimes "hot" personality and Mayor Marty's support of Cadigan. Griego and Cadigan are both rookie councilors. Both aspire to higher political office. The city council could be a political graveyard for both if they can't find a way to end the often juvenile debates and out-of-line language that have been hallmarks of this council. I have observed every council since the 1974 inception of the council/mayor form of government. It was not supposed to be this way, and some of the behavior is due to inexperience. But with more experience and some new personalities we hope for a return to more civil relations among the panel. We wish Cadigan and Griego well and hope their leadership will bring our city government together--- for a change.

MY LOST WEEKEND IN THE VALLEY--PART II
I was rushed passed restaurants with no names, dogs and cats of unknown breeds and groves of trees older than your great-grandma. The swirl of scenery was soon matched by an equally head-spinning round of political conversation at its deepest levels--off the record or off with your head. It's part two of "My Lost Weekend"

The Bernalillo County Commission seat representing the ABQ South Valley is tantamount to being mayor of the Valley. The area is in the county and has no city councilor as do the other commission districts. So the commissioner is the big cheese and right now that's Steve Gallegos, a former city councilor, who is finishing his second four year term. He can't run for reelection. But Gallegos could keep a finger in the pie through a cousin of his who we are told IS running.

Chris Sanchez, who unsuccessfully sought the Bernalillo County Sheriff's post last year is now, according to the Valley alligators, planning a run for the Democratic nomination for the Gallegos seat. And who may also seek that nomination? None other than Art de la Cruz. And who is his patron? None other than Al Valdez who held the commission seat for eight years prior to Gallegos and tried to take it away from Steve in a down and dirty battle four years ago which Gallegos won.

Sanchez is retired from the Sheriff's department and Art de la Cruz worked with the county parks and rec department. Our deep Valley sources say Valdez may also be backing another candidate from that department seeking the state senate senate seat occupied by Linda Lopez (see "My Lost Weekend" below). So while Gallegos, who has served as state senate sergeant at arms courtesy of Valley powerhouse Sen. Manny Aragon, and Valdez, who is a lobbyist in Santa Fe and chair of the NM Veterans Service Commission courtesy of Gov. Bill, may not actually have their names on the ballot in the June primary, it could shake out as a behind-the-scenes face-off between these old rivals. Or so I was told during a a memorable holiday weekend in the deepest recesses of La Politica.

STATE REP. RAY RUIZ--FIGHTING FOR LIFE
It's not a political fight that well-liked State Rep. Ray Ruiz of ABQ's Westside is waging; it's a fight for his life from the ravages of lung cancer. Ruiz, a Democrat and former iron worker who contracted the disease from working with asbestos molds, has just returned from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston where he underwent tests. He's now recuperating at home and weighing his treatment options. NM lobbyist Scott Scanland, a family friend, spoke with Ray and told us: "He's a fighter and my money is on Ray to beat this horrible disease." Ruiz is a longtime leader in the labor movement and Scott reports "he is using this experience to help him work on possible legislation regarding worker safety and health issues." Get well soon Ray. Your dedication to New Mexico workers is needed at the Roundhouse.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
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