With less than a month to go, political pros in the highest reaches of the state GOP are saying the challenge by ex-state Rep George Buffett to Republican National Committeeman Mickey Barnett is looking more and more like a very long shot. A high-ranking Buffet supporter told me George still has his vote, but he is pessimistic that Barnett can be ousted.

"George is going to have to work it a lot harder. He has sent out a letter, but he hasn't shown us much else. Mickey's forces are well-organized and they know how to count votes. To beat an incumbent in any race takes a special effort, and right now we are seeing that effort from Barnett, but not Buffet."

Lawyer-lobbyist Barnett hs been at the center of the GOP battles, going as far as to field candidates in the primary election against other Republicans who don't see things his way. His positions in favor of drug legalization and Indian gambling, targeted by Buffett, have also caused him grief, but apparently not yet the votes he needs when the GOP State Central Committee meets June 12 to decide the committeeman contest.

One boast the Buffett brigade brings down is Barnett's claim that he has helped raised millions of out-of-town dollars for the state party. "That money would have come into the state regardless of Mickey," said our insider. Maybe so. But its the votes that Barnett is set to bring in that has to concern the Buffett backers.

OUR MAY-DECEMBER MATCH-UP; JUSTINE & BOB

Meanwhile, Mickey's legal secretary, 25 year old Justine-Fox Young, has reportedly raised $32,000 so far in her bid to unseat fellow Republican, State Rep. Bob White, for a GOP House seat in ABQ's NE heights. I reported a few weeks ago how Justine had a fundraising party featuring both Dems and R's, but it turns out her biggest contribution, according to those who have seen her report, is from herself in the form of a $15,000 loan. Justine's father is longtime lobbyist Charlie Young.

As for the sixty-something White, he has reportedly only raised about $7,000, but he owns a print shop, so he can unleash his printing presses on the district and is. Insiders still believe an older electorate will determine the winner in the battle and that favors White. But young Justine Young has certainly raised enough cash to replace the shoe leather she is wearing out knocking on doors.

Down in the ABQ Valley, Jerry Ortiz Y Pino, seeking the Dem nomination to replace State Senator Richard Romero who is running for Congress, tells me he has raised $25,000 so far. His primary opponent, Adele Hundley, has raised just $7,000, according to Jerry. Lawyer Reggie Garcia is also on the race, but Ortiz Y Pino is the heavy favorite as his fundraising prowess shows. The district is heavy Dem. Whoever wins the primary goes to the Roundhouse.

NO EXCUSES, BUT AN ALIBI

Our blog this week comes under the spotlight of the Alibi's "Thin Line column, with Tim McGivern offering his thoughts on our offerings. He tells me the alternative newspaper's circulation is now over 50,000 with a heavy readership in the UNM area. That makes it the second largest circulation paper in the state, with the caveat that it is a free paper. Check out the review and the rest of the paper at Alibi.com

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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