Sen. Kernen
We cast our net statewide to capture the hottest contests in La Politica and we've got a good one for you down in oil country where two Republicans are facing-off. State Senator Gay Kernen, a third grade teacher in Hobbs appointed to her seat two years ago by Governor Gary to fill a vacancy, is feeling the heat from Will Palmer. An oilman, Palmer is hitting Kernen for backing Big Bill's constitutional amendments to spend more money for education. The amendments passed narrowly statewide last September, but were soundly rejected in the Kernen senate district.

It's a strange political brew with the forces of anti-amendment ex-GOP chair John Dendahl backing Kernen, even though she supported the amendments. Maybe the Dendahlites feel loyal to her because she is an appointee of Gary's who made Dendahl GOP chair or, perhaps they are looking for support in future GOP Legislative leadership battles. Whatever the case, Kernen is defending her turf saying the measures were necessary to get funding to meet President Bush's "No Child Left Behind Act." But Palmer says a true conservative would have voted no. Kernen fires back that none other than Senator Domenici also backed Big Bill on this one. But Palmer can point out that ex-State GOP Chair Ramsay Gorham fought the measures.

Whoever wins this GOP primary will take the seat as there is no Dem running in the solid R district.

Palmer lives in Lovington. Kernen in Hobbs. The district is big, taking in some of Roosevelt and Curry counties, as well as Lea, and a precinct in Roswell, where Dendahlite Sen. "Lightning Rod" Adair resides and is backing Kernen. For you oldtimers, this is the old senate seat of Republican firebrand Billy McKibbben, so it is bedrock conservative. But incumbent Kernen is a well-respected local with the support of Lea County GOP Chair Ann Batson. She also has ties to Light Guv Diane Denish, who, like Kernen, grew up in Hobbs. They went to high school together, with Diane two years behind Gay.

Palmer says he sees an opening, that Kernen's support is concentrated in Hobbs while he is claiming support further north. He has raised money and has already done some polling and mailing. Kernen and Palmer squared off when the seat became vacant with both fighting for Gary's appointment. Today, Kernen is mum on Palmer. "I've heard of him," she told me, "but I am not campaigning about him." But Palmer is certainly campaigning about her. In Hobbs, they like their weather hot and their politics even hotter.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH--IF HE WINS

We leave the far corners of our state to take you way up north--to Colorado--where word comes that Brewery giant Pete Coors has entered Colorado's U.S. Senate race. The candidacy potentially gives Republicans a well-known and well-financed candidate to challenge Ken Salazar, the Democratic attorney general. Salazar is a fifth generation Coloradan from the San Luis Valley, just across the New Mexico line. Hey, isn't that where New Mexico political heavyweight Ed Romero was born? Sure was.

DEAR READERS,

Thanks for your support for our web site which turns six month old this week. And a special thanks to our advertisers. Please click on their ads and check out their offerings. Your support of them will keep the New Mexico politics coming. And, please continue to send me your political news, tips and comments so we can all keep up-to-date this busy election year. There's an e-mail link at the top right of this page and, if you wish, you can remain anonymous. I respond to all my mail. Again, thanks to all of you, my loyal readers, for making the first six months of this endeavor so worthwhile and rewarding. Have a relaxing holiday, and we'll see you back here Monday.

Best Wishes,
Joe

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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