A group of Hispanic Republican legislative hopefuls, most of them longshots, have had their campaign kitty's filled by Senator Domenici's Pete PAC And the fact that they may not show in the stretch, doesn't bother Pete. The PAC is aimed at bolstering Hispanic involvement in the GOP, according to a Dem, closely watching the hand-outs. The state's senior senator has doled out about $17,000 so far to these legislative wannabes.

Among the recipients, who each received $2500 for their uphill efforts: Clara Pena who is up against State Rep. Miguel Garcia. Deborah Torrez who is out to knock out recently appointed ABQ Dem State Rep. Harriet Ruiz. Also getting a check was Linda Jaramillo who is taking on veteran State Senator Pete Campos of Las Vegas. Of the three, Jaramaillo, according to our Dem expert, is the strongest and could give Campos "a little trouble."

Fernando C De Baca is another state senate R hopeful who bagged $2500 from Pete's coffers. He is trying to take the seat held forever by Manny Aragon who resigned to take the presidency of NM Highlands University and who was replaced by appointment by James Taylor who left his House seat to get the promotion. There's also a couple of late independent entrants in that one which could make it interesting, but the Dems are comfortable that Taylor will prevail, even though C de Baca could throw some of his own money at the contest and the independents could make it a bit tougher for Taylor.

MORE CAMPAIGN CASH

The campaign cash was also flowing at a recent party for the benefit of ABQ NE Heights State Senator Diane Snyder. A lot of the raising was done by her fellow R senators including "Lightning Rod" Adair who, according to an R following this one, came into ABQ for the Snyder event. The district is R, but with enough Dems to give the D an opening. Snyder won by just 6 percent in 2000. This time, Chris Berkheimer, Deputy Director in Big Bill's NM Homeland Security Department, is the challenger. With Bill's muscle in the background, Snyder will be forced to work it.

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Interested in advertising to NM's large political community? E-mail me from the top right of this page, or call 505-243-4059 for details.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author