Bern. County Commission
It may be probable but it is not a given that the widow of late ABQ Westside State Rep. Ray Ruiz will be named by Bernalillo County Central Committee members to take Ray's place in the Roundhouse. That from sources deep on the inside who say there are others who have their
eye on the seat and may make a play.

Ruiz passed away earlier this month and within days his widow, Harriet Ruiz, announced she would ask the Bernalillo County Commission to appoint her to fill the rest of Ray's term, which runs until the end of the year. But the central committee will decide who will be placed on the ballot to replace Ray Ruiz in November to run for a full two year House term.

"There is no opposition to Harriet getting the appointment for the rest of the year from the commission, but some other candidates besides Harriet may surface to win the right to run in November," said our insider.

One of those candidates could be Dan Serrano, a Westsider who has sought several elective offices, including an ABQ City Council seat. Friends of Serrano are floating his name, but it is a delicate matter and Serrano is not actively campaigning at this time.

Another Westside politico said its possible "a labor candidate could also emerge" before the final decision is made. Ruiz was a longtime labor activist. Harriet has told friends she wants to fill out his term and run for the two year term in order to push legislation that would protect workers' health, an issue that Ray advocated in his final days.

The Ruiz vacancy is also a test for new State Democratic Party Chair John Wertheim who may confront the various factions that are active in the Ruiz district. Westside Dems say members of the county central committee from the precincts that make up the Ruiz district will decide who to put on the November ballot. That has opened the way for this round of political intrigue that will be settled at a meeting in late June. Stay tuned.

VOTING EARLY, BUT NOT OFTEN

Predictions of a very light turnout for the June 1 primary appear on their way to proving correct as scattered reports coming in to me from throughout Bernalillo County show a slow start to the two weeks of early voting that started Saturday. For example, at Paseo Village, in the far ABQ NE Heights, only 64 voters showed up Saturday. As few as 15 were reported at another locale. Adding to turnout woes this go round is having he election the day after Memorial Day, when many voters will still be traveling.


ONLY IN NEW MEXICO; CHUNKY CLICK & COMPANY

Politics got real personal down Carlsbad way as a fight broke out last week following a candidates forum featuring former Eddy County Sheriff Chunky Click who is trying to oust the current sheriff. Chunky Click, you won't forget the name and Carlsbad will never forget the controversy he brought. Now it continues as reported by the Carlsbad Current-Argus

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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