Rep. Youngberg
It's going to be a busy summer for some members of the Democratic Party Central Committee as yet another Dem has decided to drop out of a State House contest. TV news reporter Janet Blair is telling friends she is exiting the race, leaving freshman GOP State Rep. Eric Youngberg unchallenged, at least until the Dem Central Committee comes up with a replacement candidate.

Blair of Corrales was seen as a possible threat to Youngberg because of her high name ID. But Youngberg's advocates say they were ready to paint her as an ultra liberal out-of-touch with the Westside district. Whatever the case, it won't be proven this time as Blair will not be on the ballot. Exactly why Janet is getting out has not yet been made clear.

Blair joins labor leader Carter Bundy in withdrawing from a State House race. Also, State. Rep. James Taylor will leave a vacant spot on the ballot when he gets kicked up to the State Senate. New Dem candidates for all three House seats will be picked by the Dem Central Committee. Bernalillo County Dem Chair Linda Lopez is saying the party will not let the R's go unchallenged. Insiders say the Dem candidate for the Taylor House seat could be picked by next week, with the others being filled after the Democratic National Convention.

The new D candidates will be picked by the central committee members who live in the House districts.

NO SENATE SNUBS HERE

Sen. Sanchez
"It was not a snub," of State Rep. James Taylor says State Sen. Michael Sanchez about his comments on who should replace Manny Aragon in the Senate. We wrote about those comments Tuesday.(see below) Sanchez was asked by a reporter from the Valencia County News-Bulletin for possible candidates the Valencia County Commission should entertain as a Manny replacement. Sanchez did not mention Taylor. Here's what he said:

"Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Dist. 29, said regarding the commission's nomination that "there are a lot of people in Bosque Farms area who would make a good senator. Those he suggested were Gary Daves, chairman of the commission, who is not seeking re-election, and former New Mexico Reps. Al Otero and Richard LeDoux."

Taylor's friends took that as a slight from the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. But Sanchez tells me he was asked specifically by the reporter about who from Bosque Farms might make good replacements. "I did not talk to the commission, just the reporter." he said. "I am going to talk to James and if he thinks I can be of assistance with the Commission I will be."

The Aragon seat is in both Bernalillo and Valencia counties. Tuesday night the Bernalillo County Commission recommended to Big Bill that Taylor fill out Manny's term, left vacant when Manny became Prez of NM Highlands University. The Valencia commission also gets to recommend a candidate with Big Bill making the final selection. Democratic Party Central Committee members from the Manny district will decide who will replace him on the November ballot for the four year term starting in 2005. Taylor is expected to win that recommendation.

NAVA RENEWED

Another State Senator is in the blog news. Cynthia Nava of Las Cruces received some warm welcomes from fellow lawmakers when she turned up at a meeting of the Legislative Finance Committee this week. Nava has been battling cancer in her sinus cavity but after two surgeries has recovered and is ready to get back to her legislative duties. "She told me she is feeling fine," reported one politico.

POLITICAL WEDDING BELLS

Bride-to-be Houilston
ABQ City Councilor Brad Winter, 51, is ending his bachelor days this week with friends reporting he will walk down the aisle, (or at least in front of a District Court judge) with his longtime lady, attorney Nann Houilston. In addition to a new wife, Winter is taking on a new job. He has left ABQ's La Cueva High where he was an assistant principal and is now working for ABQ Public Schools in its capital outlay division. Houliston, 45, used to work for the City of Albuquerque in utility law and is now in private practice. Winter has a son from a previous marriage.

Winter's friends are also telling me not to rule out Republican Winter for a run for ABQ Mayor next year. "It's something he's thought about," said one. If he does, there won't be any family fights as Brad's new wife is also a Republican.

GET IT RIGHT, JOE

Some of my early morning readers Wednesday caught me in an error. Imagine that! Peter Camejo is Ralph Nader's VP running mate, not the running mate of Green Party Prez contender David Cobb. Thanks for the e-mails correcting my error. As penance, I will read the platforms of all the political parties cover-to cover. Have a great weekend. And, as always, thanks for tuning in.

Make our site---www.joemonahan.com--one of your 'favorites.' Bookmark it now and send a link to interested friends. Want to advertise to NM's large political community? E-mail me or call 505-243-4059 for details. And thanks for e-mailing me your news tips and comments. There's a link at the top right of this page.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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