Politics is breaking across our Enchanted Land at lightning speed. There seems to be something for everyone. Here's a few of the things that have caught my eye on my travels and in my conversations.

State Senator James Taylor, appointed to replace Manny Aragon to the seat in the ABQ South Valley, should be able to bring it home Election Night. But R Fernando C De Baca is no lay down candidate. Taylor will hold a Matanza over the weekend to rally support. There are two independent candidates on the ballot as well. Who will they help or hurt? Manny left to become Prez of NM Highlands University. He's probably glad he's gone, leaving Taylor to nail down the newly crafted district for the D's.

SOUTHERN ACTION

Dem State Rep. Andy Nunez is in a tough re-election battle in Dona Ana County against a well-known New Mexican. Mary Thompson is a former legislator. She ran for Lt. Governor years ago. It's a swing district. Nunez recently picked up the endorsement the Las Cruces Sun-News. Both candidates are well-respected.

POLLING BATTLE

ABQ Journal pollster Brian Sanderoff is the latest target of wild-swinging State Sen. "Lightning" Rod Adair of Roswell. The far-right lawmaker claims Sanderoff has become biased in his polling in recent years. Among a raft of charges, Adair claims that Sanderoff has been polling on Friday nights, a night he says most pollsters don't work because more Republicans than Democrats are out on Friday's. Sanderoff wonders if Rod has ever heard of call-backs. The pollster says if he comes up short with R's on Friday's, he calls back on Saturday to make sure the survey is balanced. Why didn't Rod think of that?

CAREEER SWITCH

Unsuccessful GOP ABQ East Mountain State Rep. candidate Mario Burgos has found a new line of work. He's in the advertising and PR game, having given up his position as head of Junior Achievement in NM. THe swisherburgos agency has offices in Florida and Santa Fe. Burgos ran a spirited race but was beaten by Kathy McCoy who was appointed State Rep. by Big bill when ron Godbey resigned the seat. She will get her own two year term in November.

FINAL TAKE

Back tomorrow with my All-Star Debate team as we watch the action between Kerry and Bush out of Tempe, AZ tonight.

Oops, almost forgot. The Zogby polling people tell us they will make a decision around October 23rd whether NM will be among the states in which they will conduct telephone tracking polls. If they do, we will have daily results right here.

Make our site, WWW.JOEMONAHAN.COM, one of your favorites and e-mail a link to interested friends. Want to advertise 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
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