JUDY
Foes of the Dendahl wing of the state GOP are going for a double play. They already have ex-State Rep. George Buffett seeking to oust Republican National Committeeman and chief Dendahlite Mickey Barnett. Now, I can report that the fellas will have to give some elbow room to the ladies who have a fight of their own. Former State Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell, rumored to be preparing for a run against GOP National Committeewoman Rosie Tripp, confirms to "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" that the battle is on and she has Socorro Rosie in her sights.

"We need national committee representatives who are willing to work with all factions in the party," e-mailed Judy, making it clear that Tripp's alliance with Dendahl and attorney Barnett will be the big issue when the State Central Committee votes in June.

Some might dub Judy's run "Ramsay's Revenge." She is a close ally of former state chair Gorham who resigned this month after a bitter ten month battle with the Dendahlites. But this one won't be fought just for Ramsay. Judy ran against State Sen. "Lightning Rod" Adair for the 2002 GOP Light Guv nomination in a battle so bitter that she refused to endorse Adair after he beat her and Bill Davis. She also declined to endorse Dendahlite GOP Guv candidate John Sanchez.

ROSIE'S SCENARIO

Russell of Rio Rancho will have a tough battle with Tripp. She's no stranger to politics, currently serving as a Socorro county commissioner as well as national committeewoman. Her husband, Don Tripp, is a well-known Socorro businessman and a Socorro state rep. During her four year term Rosie was appointed by RNC Chair Racicot to serve on the GOP's committee to determine a site for the 2004 national convention. She has been overshadowed by Barnett, who continues to sponsor candidates against fellow Republicans in legislative races and was a driving force behind the Gorham coup.

A key question for challengers Buffett and Tripp is whether the R's will be receptive to ousting their committee reps with Washington in the middle of a presidential campaign. Will the Bush campaign see that as detrimental to their man and work hard for Barnett and Tripp? No doubt, they are the White House favorites, especially Barnett, who has close ties to White House political savant Karl Rove. On the other hand Mickey, and Rosie by association, have made so much blood boil that the Gorham faction may have the muscle to finally end the war by kicking them out. This is going to be a good one.

And a final note. While Vanderstar Russell seeks to oust Rosie Tripp, it turns out an apparent Tripp relative, Dan Tripp Jr., gave a $1000 donation to Judy's 02' Light Guv campaign. Such are the crosswinds in our dysfunctional GOP.

ABOUT THAT PREZ POLL

Terrell
The New Mexican's chief political correspondent, Steve Terrell, e-mails me to point out that I was not alone in picking up on the first NM Prez poll of the season that we reported on Thursday (April 22 report). He also had the dead heat race on his weblog which he also uses this week to report on how a state senate candidate seeking the Roman Maes seat in Santa Fe misspoke when she said she had never been arrested for DWI. Check it out. And be sure to check us out next week for all the very latest on the wonderful world of NM politics. Have a great weekend and, as always. thanks to you for tuning in and to our advertisers for their continuing support.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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