This  picture is truly worth a thousand words. Here from a recent congressional hearing we have Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, the former ABQ Republican Congresswoman ('98-'09) who dominated the political landscape here a decade ago, being questioned by Deb Haaland, the Democrat who now holds the ABQ Congressional seat Wilson once had a tight grip on.

Well, nothing says it better than that picture about how our state has dramatically changed since Wilson's time.

--A congressional district once safe for the R's has gone deeply into the Democratic camp and is no longer even competitive.

--Haaland is the first Native American woman to serve in the US House (along with Sharice Davids) as New Mexico's "majority minority" status fully asserts itself.

--Also at the hearing Wilson was questioned by southern US Rep. Torres Small, who startled the state by turning that red district blue last year.

One of our Senior Alligators could not resist a commentary:

For NM political junkies the April 2 House Armed Services Committee was a fascinating juxtaposition of former and future NM politicos. Air Force Secretary Wilson, the former ABQ GOP congresswoman who was an upstart, headline-grabber for a decade in New Mexico, faced questioning from two new Democratic upstarts—Rep. Deb Haaland and Rep. Torres Small.

The dramatic change of circumstances was probably not lost on Wilson. It was in 2008  that she had her sights set on the U.S. Senate after 10 years in the House and 6 brutal general/special elections.. The cutthroat, take-no-prisoners, military veteran Wilson had to likely exercise major restraint to not tear apart these non-veteran, softy, freshman legislators.

Torres Small and Haaland, neither of whom interacted with Wilson much during her time as a NM rep, probably looked across the carpet to realize how fleeting a life in NM politics can be. They might be having fun right now putting Heather on the spot, but look what New Mexico politics will do to you—Wilson didn’t use to have that much grey hair. 

In just a month, Wilson will be gazing across the state line from Texas as she leaves her position as Air Force Secretary and takes over the presidency of UTEP.  From there she will no doubt keep an eye on the NM political scene that she was once so much a part of.

Video of Wilson's  exchange with Rep. Haaland is at 3:02:25 and the one with Rep. Torres-Small at 3:27.

NORTHERN CHASE

Leger de Fernandez

Now the latest on what could be a topsy-turvy race for the Dem nomination for the northern congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Lujan. The Great Mentioner is back in business and is mentioning attorney Teresa Leger de Fernandez, a San Miguel County native who now lives in Santa Fe, as a possible candidate.

She runs a small law firm that has done considerable business with Native American tribes. Those pitching her point out she took her undergrad degree at Yale, graduated from Stanford Law School and was appointed a White House Fellow by President Clinton. Leger de Fernandez, 59, is divorced and has three children all in college.

The handicappers say that Santa Fe City Councilor Renee Villarreal may be more out than in for the congressional race. . .People are still waiting for Public Regulation Commissioner Valerie Espinoza to say something about the contest (phone home, Valerie.). . . DC Dems are said to be frustrated with the many Hispanic men looking at the race because they want a Hispanic woman in the seat.

Questions? Send them in and we will forward them to the Great Mentioner.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019