REP.GODBEY
"It's Mickey (Barnett) and the boys." That's how State Rep. Ron Godbey put it to me upon confirming that he has drawn an opponent in the June Republican primary. Mario Burgos, who is with the Junior Achievement program, will challenge the three term Rep., who has tangled with the Dendahlites over their support of drug liberalization laws. "They came after me two years ago and I whomped them, but they are persistent and are back again," said the retired Air Force Colonel.

Godbey, who is also a a lawyer and a certified meteorologist--how do you like that combo?---says Barnett has "had control" of several votes in the state house, but lost most and doesn't want to lose any more. As usual, Mickey is quiet, at least to us, and is going about his uphill job of trying to win back control of the party that voted Dendahl out.

Godbey is the odds-on favorite to win re-election to his East Mountain district. But the rift shows that the forces of former GOP Chair Dendahl, led now by attorney and hardball thrower Mickey Barnett, are determined to stay on the scene. Current GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham does not command the authority to heal the intraparty rift. Insiders tell me only a clean sweep of the state by President Bush and the GOP in November will get her archrivals off of her back. She still has to pull together a deal to ensure she and the state party get a role in the Bush re-elect campaign. That's a lot on her plate, and as I have reported, she does not plan to seek re-election to the state senate because of it.

MICKEY, HE'S NO MOUSE

JUSTINE YOUNG
Speaking of Mickey and company, Justine Young, 24, daughter of NM Lobbyist Charlie Young, and an employee of Dendahlite ringleader Barnett, is making it official. She has sent word to politicos that she will be challenging fellow Republican State Rep. Bob White for his ABQ NE Heights seat. We first reported Justine's challenge November 18. (see our November archives) White is a GOP moderate and a supporter of Ramsay. White says the move to place young Ms. Young in the Legislature is not putting much fear in his heart. He told me he will spend 'whatever it takes" to keep his seat. He owns a print shop (The Print Stop) and will paper the district. Still, he will have to work to keep the seat he took just two years ago if Young comes up with campaign cash.

UNHAPPY HOURS FOR BIG BOOZE?

Yesterday I reported that it did not appear that the Guv would reintroduce the increase in booze taxes that he lost in the special session. Now I am being told to hold my horses. So I will. Whoa, boys. The situation is fluid (get it?) with top guns in Santa Fe telling me there is indeed a chance the liquor tax could again be introduced. Of course, if it is, it will draw the usual big-bucks lobbying effort in opposition. Just what will be on the Guv's call is subject to last minute change, as is just about everything the Big Guy does.

As for his DWI reform package, even the GOP guys are telling me that that is a "no-brainer" and will win solid support. Tougher times, however, lie ahead for Bill's Medicaid package and his move to take more of the legislators 'pork" projects under his wing and out of their purview.

MAX MAKES BILL MAD

Max Coll, the outspoken chair of the House Appropriations committee, and a foe of Big Bill's who is not afraid to stand up to him, may find himself standing up to a Democratic primary opponent. At least that's the scuttlebutt in the City Different, where Bill backers may be looking for someone to play the same thorn-in-the-side to Max that Max is to the Guv. Coll's seat is safe Dem, so only a primary challenge could take him out and it would not be easy. No word yet though on any opponent surfacing to muzzle Max and all his moxie.

ABQ'S TOP VOTE-COUNTER SEEKS VOTES
Bernalillo County Clerk Mary Herrera has had her share of problems getting the votes counted the last three years, but it has been a huge improvement over past election nightmares. She will take that case to the people this year and will announce her re-election plans today in ABQ at the Downtown La Posada. I am always glad when the clerk is seeking election; you know they don't want to wait around to see if they have won or lost. As for Mary, she's in good shape for her re-elect, after fending off a move last Fall to do away with her elected position in an unsuccessful city-county unification drive last Fall.


BIG BILL UNPLUGGED

Finally, here is one of the best summations of Governor Bill's first year in office that I have read. It was forwarded to me by a government news junkie. written by Alan Greenblatt of Governing Affairs, a subsidiary of Congressional Quarterly, there is some eyebrow raising comments on his relations with the legislature. Must reading for you guys in the Guv's office and lobbyists and lawmakers at the Legislature. Governor Magazine

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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