The first major decision of Guv-to-be Michelle Lujan Grisham is turning out to to be a wise one. She's keeping the inauguration safely indoors and away from what is expected to be one of the coldest days of the winter season tomorrow when she is sworn in as New Mexico's 32nd governor. The Santa Fe forecast calls for a couple of inches of snow, a high of only 21 and temperatures actually lower when forecast winds of over 20 mph are accounted for.

At her first inauguration eight years ago Gov. Martinez encountered bitter cold and wind that that took the chill factor below zero, testing the sturdiness of the shivering attendees. In her inaugural speech the new Governor declared, "let us be brave together" which applied as much to the weather then as to the future of the state.

The departure from an outdoor ceremony will be the first of what is expected to be many shifts in tone and policy as a Democrat replaces an R at the helm of state government for the next four years.

The extreme cold snap could reduce the number of revelers at the inauguration and the two inaugural balls but the addition of Chevele Shephard, the new national singing star from Farmington, could give the festivities a boost.

The Governor-elect and Lt. Governor-elect Howie Morales will be sworn in at noon at the Santa Fe Convention Center. Immediately after she will deliver her inaugural address. The event is free and open to the public.

(New Governors actually take office at midnight January 1 at a private ceremony. MLG's sister-in-law, retired District Court Judge Sandra Grisham, will administer the oath at the Capitol at midnight.)

There are two evening inaugural balls, one at the Santa Fe Convention Center where tickets are $100 a person and a high roller ball at the tony Eldorado Hotel where entry is $500 a pop. More details on the inaugural events are here.

Other statewide elected officials who won four year terms in November will take their oaths of office at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Capitol Rotunda. They are all Democrats: Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Attorney General Hector Balderas, State Land Commissioner-elect Stephanie Garcia Richard, State Auditor-elect Brian Colón and State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg. The event is open to the public.

LOW KEY TRANSITION

It's undoubtedly a bee hive of activity behind the scenes but publicly this transition to a new administration has been decidedly low-key. There have been no public controversies, no big surprises (so far) with the cabinet picks and no major policy announcements. In fact, there has been little news, with insiders reporting that the chief worry is that they have fallen behind in the transition in part because of Lujan Grisham's congressional duties. Her ABQ US House seat will be filled by Democrat Deb Haaland on Thursday when she is sworn in at the US Capitol.

BENTON GOES AGAIN

ABQ  District 2 City Councilor Isaac (Ike) Benton was first elected to the council in 2005 but his latest term has been the rockiest. The past four years the city endured record breaking crime and ART,  the botched Central Avenue transit project.

Benton, a supporter of ART, hosted a public meeting on the project in 2016 that was one of the most boisterous ever held by a councilor. Opponents railed against the bus plan and Benton. (Video here.)

But Benton, a retired architect and avowed urbanist, still enjoys the job and told me over the holidays he will seek another four year term in 2019. He represents a large swath of downtown and the North Valley which leans left. He has had only token opposition in his re-election bids. He ran unopposed in 2015.

He said that revitalizing the stalled renovation of the historic ABQ Railyards near downtown is a key issue and he would like another term to see it through.

Benton has chiefly concerned himself with environmental and urban issues while letting the mayoral administration lead on crime and homelessness that are ongoing issues in parts of the district.

Benton, 67, says he toyed with the idea of not seeking re-election and even looked around to see if a younger, qualified person was waiting in the wings, but he said he found none so he is off and running.

And how about riding on ART sometime? Benton still holds out hope that the long delayed rapid bus route will eventually be up and running and that when all is said and done it will be a boon for the city.

No other candidates have yet announced for his seat which is up for election in October 2019.

Three other councilors also face re-election in 2019. ABQ SE Heights City Councilor Pat Davis (Dist. 6), a Democrat, is expected to make a bid for a second term. However, Republican NE Heights Councilors Brad Winter (Dist. 4) and Trudy Jones (Dist. 8) may relinquish their seats after long stints, giving the council some new faces late next year. The council is currently controlled by the Democrats, 6 to 3.

That's it for 2018. Thanks for your continued interest and support and. . .

Happy New Year, New Mexico!

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018