Reliable TV industry sources report that veteran KOAT-TV anchorman and political reporter Craig Nigrelli is getting ready to exit the station, probably at the end of the February ratings sweep period. The popular morning and noontime anchor has held forth since January 2000. His morning slot has commanded high ratings against the perennially popular "Today Show" on KOB-TV. Nigrelli is from upstate New York and our sources said he is looking to relocate back to his old stomping grounds, and not into Bill's stable. A bevy of reporters have joined the Guv in various PR departments, including Nigrelli's old KOAT boss, Pahl Shipley, who is now spilling ink for the Big Fella.

Nigrelli is well-known in the state political community for being one of the few TV reporters to whom the moniker "political reporter" is applied. He has been a major presence on KOAT election coverage and his departure will leave a void in this busy year. No word yet on who will get the anchor slot Nigrelli is vacating. But insiders say the decision is a serious one because the morning news broadcasts here now command larger audiences than either the noon or five p.m. broadcasts. They also attract a younger audience, which is highly valued by advertisers. New Mexico is a top 50 (#49) market in the U.S. which means a considerable amount of national advertising dollars is tied to local news ratings. Craig is on vacation this week and unavailable for a chat.

BRADLEY BENCHES HIMSELF

Former Lt. Governor Walter Bradley, who told me in November he would seek the June GOP nomination for the ABQ Public Regulation Commission (PRC) seat being vacated by Herb Hughes, now tells me "the timing is not right" and he will NOT run, barring "extraordinary circumstances." That sigh of relief you hear is from State Rep. Joe Thompson, who used to work for Walter, and is seeking the same PRC seat Walter was eyeing. But Joe ought not breathe too easy. Hot on his trail is former ABQ City Councilor Hess Ynetma, who IS also going after the $90,000 a year job and has decent name ID in ABQ. Thompson told me he considers himself a "moderate Republican". Hess is more of the populist variety.

Walter is now an assistant land commissioner under Pat Lyons. But Bradley said he was under no pressure not to run. He did not rule out a future run for governor (he ran in 02') and he also said a federal post in D.C. is also a possibility. Bradley is a "go to" guy for the GOP. If there is a high office that needs filling in the near future, he will be a player. But right now the game is in time-out and Bradley is going to have watch from the sidelines.

JOURNAL PREZ POLL THIS SUNDAY

Word is that the first NM prez poll is underway this week and will be released Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised if it mimics the national polls with Dean and Clark on top. Any other result would be a boost for the rest of the field. I am also curious about Edwards' numbers. He is second behind Dean in NM fundraising. Will that translate into support? The geographic breakdown will be something to watch too. How is Dean playing in the conservative south and eastside? And, any Kucinich movement in the liberal north to bite into Dean?

The Iowa caucuses will be held Monday and they are sure to shape momentum in the weeks ahead. The Journal will do a second poll before the February 3 NM contest. By the way, the very latest numbers show about 10,000 Dems requesting absentee ballots for the event.

For my out-of-state and overseas readers, don't worry. I will file a special report on the numbers with my analysis, as well as that of Journal pollster Brian Sanderoff, on Sunday morning.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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