Ramsay
Intraparty warfare broke out again in the state GOP Tuesday as candidates lined up for the 112 legislative seats and a bevy of other offices. At the top of the list was the challenge to State Republican Party Chair and State Sen. Ramsay Gorham, who drew primary opposition from John Ryan, former executive director under ex-party chief John Dendahl. Current exec director Tom Carroll wasted no time defending his boss saying Ryan "has put his interests above those of the party." Carroll said Republicans have the right to challenge each other, but to take on the party chair in her ABQ North Valley district is crossing the line and aimed at further dividing the already torn asunder GOP.

Gorham will now be kept busy fending off the Dendahlites instead of concentrating on helping fellow Republicans. On top of it all, Republican National Committeeman Mickey Barnett, leader of the Dendahlites, sent out a notice that he will help lead a news conference this week announcing the opening of the Bush Prez headquarters here, signaling that he still has a lever on at least one power center.

The Dendahlites, as expected, also fielded Justine Fox-Young against State Rep. Bob White. And they got a late jab in against Gorham supporter Greg Payne who filed for the Joe Thompson State Rep. seat in ABQ's NE Heights. (Thompson, as first reported here, decided against another run for the seat after his DWI bust) Payne will be challenged for the nomination in the June 1 primary by retried Sheriff's deputy Bill Rehm. Another hot GOP battle grew hotter Tuesday when Patrick Milligan joined State Rep. Larry Larranaga and Former Rep. Rob Burpo in the fight for Larry's NE Heights seat. Larranaga and Milligan are semi-Dendahlites. It all shows the state GOP has a lot more work to do before they can cry "unity" and come together for the General Election.

VALLEY GIRLS...AND GUYS

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, the Dems were playing out some party rivalries of their own. State Senator Linda Lopez of ABQ's Valley, and a senate president pro tem wannabe, saw fellow Dem Al Armijo throw down the gauntlet. And guess who is running for the Republican nomination to take on the Lopez-Armijo winner? Why, none other than former Sen. Tom Benavidez, who Lopez beat eight years ago and who is godfather of the proposal to change the name of Bernalillo County to 'Benavidez County.'!

And how about that ABQ South Valley action where House Majority Whip James Taylor finds himself facing Cecelia Romero Tkach in a Democratic primary fight? The spin from Taylor headquarters is that this is some "old line" Valley politicos trying to get rid of the "new" James Taylor. Be careful James, sometimes everything old is new again.

Did you see where eight candidates are seeking the Dem nomination for the Bernalillo County Commission seat being vacated by Steve Gallegos? Politics may be unpopular in some quarters, but never in the South Valley, where the high art and ancient ways of La Politica are still practiced unabashedly.

Manny Aragon? He's running again. No Dem opponent. The GOP's Fernando C de Baca will see Manny in November. That's if Manny isn't Prez of NM Highlands University by then.

KARI'S COUP

DA Kari
Back in Benavidez County, I mean, Bernalillo County. District Attorney Kari Brandenburg drew no opposition, shocking veterans in the legal community who cannot recall the last time a DA here got a free ride. Dem Brandenburg used to be a Republican, so maybe she can run as a "Republicrat" in the General and keep everyone happy. Also, Bernalillo County Clerk Mary Hererra almost got a free four year ride too, until the Green Party's Steve Cabiedes, one of our election analysts, decided to throw his hat into the ring. But Mary is as close to a free ride as you get.

Politicos also reeled when they heard the news that Roswell State Senator Tim Jennings drew no foes and won a free four years. His tirade against Big Bill during the last legislative session apparently did not prompt the Big Guy to find an opponent for him. In fact, my experts said they did not see many of Big Bill's footprints in any of the legislative races. Why? "He has been able to get just about all he wanted out of this legislature, so there was no pressure to change things," offered one of my pundits.

One of the high-dollar legislative races that could develop is between Dem State Rep. Al Park and Republican Kathy Leyendecker in Park's swing district in ABQ's SE Heights. "Al says he is going to work hard and raise $100,000 if he has to," said one Park ally. Leyendecker knows how to raise money too, and maybe Al is just trying to throw a scare out, or maybe he is just scared stiff that his dream of becoming attorney general could be dashed quickly.

Back down south, GOP Sen. Lee Rawson drew a Republican primary opponent. Could it be Lee's friendly treatment of the Guv's food tax repeal could be raising conservative ire?

Over in Grants, State Rep. Ken Martinez, godfather of the proposal to require every vehicle in NM to be equipped with an ignition interlock device to prevent drunk driving, is being challenged by a fellow Dem. It will be just a two man race, and while Ken is favored, my experts say its a race to watch.

State Rep. Bengie Regensberg, folk hero to some, villain to others, drew two Dem foes in northern NM, making it more likely they will split the anti-Bengie vote and putting the colorful character back at the Roundhouse for at least two more sessions.

IT'S WERTHEIM'S TO WIN

And it looks as though attorney John Wertheim is getting a free ride for the race for chairmanship of the state Dem Party. Joni Gutierrez has resigned to run for the legislature in Dona Ana County. Attorney John is Big Bill's pick to replace her and John is ready and willing. I might also warn the Repub's that Wertheim is able. I have talked hours of NM politics with John over the years as he often served as one of my Election Night analysts on KANW-FM. He's 36 going on 56. If Big Bill gives him some breathing room Wertheim will do fine.

Folks, thanks for all your help covering the filing action. A special tip of the hat to Dem expert Terry Brunner and top NM lobbyist Scott Scanland. They have more analysis for you, but, alas, I am just one blogger and will have to report on their take and other worthy races throughout the week. Meanwhile, I am providing links for you so you can see more of the match-ups.

Get the latest on the filings from the Sec. of State And the latest Bernalillo County filings here
Candidate filings

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author