We're out on the campaign trail in search of the latest developments, and here they are.

Mark your calendars for 6 p.m. September 19, political junkies. Because that's the time and date of the first televised gubernatorial debate and it could be pivotal. Fox Channel 2 will host the 60 minute face-off, to be followed by two more in October on KOB and KOAT. But the first debate usually draws the most attention and it comes early enough to have a substantial impact on the campaign--especially if someone messes up or if one candidate clearly dominates the event.

Republican Steve Pearce and Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham are both congressional reps with debate experience. Even so, we imagine both will have a few butterflies as they enter the debate arena with one another for the first time.

Republicans watching the campaign of southern congressional contender and GOP State Rep. Yvette Herrell tell us they are breathing easier. They say her campaign has had a successful fund-raising summer and money will not be an issue in her contest with Dem hopeful Xochitl Torres Small. Torres Small didn't have much of a primary contest and at the last reporting period had over $495,00 in cash on hand compared to Herrell's $100,000. Herrell had an intense primary battle with former Hobbs Mayor Monty Newman. The R insiders say the money gap has largely been overcome. Herrell has also brought in some new staff for the final stretch. Torres Small is on the air with TV. Herrell is expected to join her soon. The race is rated "Lean R."

Really, really watch the ABQ state House race featuring GOP incumbent Rep. Jimmie Hall and Dem challenger Melanie Stansbury, advise the GOP Alligators. Hall's district went for Hillary Clinton in the '16 prez race and Stansbury is working it hard. Hall is a well-respected lawmaker but the demographics of the NE Heights district have changed and the Gators say Hall is now actually the underdog in that contest.

Keeping it with the R's, some of their top strategists are now predicting that former two term State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons, who is wrapping up his service on the Public Regulation Commission, will defeat Dem nominee and State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard. That would be a big R win in what is expected to be a Dem leaning election. One reason the R's are confident? They think the oil and gas industry will go all in for Lyons with big PAC spending. Garcia Richard wants the state to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and Lyons is already going after her on the stump. The Dems push back that in the year of the woman Garcia Richard is well positioned. They also aren't shy about reminding you of Lyons' past ethics problems. Add this one to your list of races to watch list.

REPLACING LARRY 

A couple of notes on the race to replace retiring ABQ GOP State Rep. Larry Larrañaga.

First, the name of the attorney who was one of two candidates to lose the GOP nomination Sunday to retired ICE agent Bob Godshall to replace Larry was Brian Williams, not Greg Williams as we first reported. Greg Williams is a well-known lawyer but not a Republican (nd Brian Williams is not the guy on TV. BernCo GOP central committee members made the pick and the story is on our Monday blog.

Second, several readers ask about Bill Pratt, the retired physician who is the Dem nominee for the GOP leaning seat. He's a New Jersey native who was an orthopaedic surgeon at the UNM School of Medicine and Albuquerque and the VA Medical Center from 1976-1985 and served in the same capacity at the Alaska Native Medical Center from 1985-1987.

Third, Dr. Pratt is 83 years old. If he pulled off the upset and defeated Republican nominee Godshall, would he be the oldest person ever to win election (not re-election) to the state House?

HISTORIC CHANGE

Historic change may come to New Mexico public education as the result of a recent court ruling. Here's a story about the woman behind the big story:

For Wilhelmina Yazzie, joining the groundbreaking lawsuit against New Mexico wasn’t an easy thing to do. It was the only thing to do. The Navajo mother of three says she’s no different from the dozens of other parents who were party to Yazzie v. New Mexico, which declared the state’s public education system unconstitutional. By most accounts, she is no different from tens of thousands of New Mexico parents in general. “I want the same things that every parent wants for their children,” the 39-year-old legal administrator said. Yazzie lives in Gallup, on the edge of the Navajo Nation, where schools in the Gallup-McKinley district lack everything from funding and qualified teachers to counselors, tutors, social workers and computers. . .

THE BOTTOM LINES

Bill Daily

I am sad to report the death of our old friend, neighbor and well-known comedy actor Bill Daily. He made a name for himself in Hollywood in the 60's and 70's starring in the "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Bob Newhart" shows. He settled in New Mexico in the 80's and adopted the state as his own.

Bill acted and directed in many plays at the ABQ Little Theatre and appeared regularly on local radio, all the while touring nationally and making more TV sitcoms. He even served for a brief time as the director of the NM film commission under Gov. Bill Richardson.

Bill was a man blessed with a great attitude who loved life and people. A native of Chicago, he was an accomplished jazz musician who loved the music of Sinatra, the comedy of Carson and the beauty of New Mexico. Most of all he was an effervescent, self-described "happy man" whose upbeat spirit was contagious. Word of his death came from his son Patrick in Santa Fe where Bill had recently moved. Thanks for the memories and the years of friendship, Bill.

Bill Daily was 91.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018