It appears both of the two veteran ABQ GOP city councilors up for election this year will seek another term.

Realtor Trudy Jones, first elected to the council in 2007 has not formally announced she will seek a fourth term, but City Hall watchers say she is gearing up for a run. Jones will be the favorite to win the seat again. It's one of the few council districts that leans R.

Meantime, Republican Brad Winter, the longest-serving councilor who we told you this week will seek another four year term, will have some opposition. Democrat Athena Ann Christodoulou, 63, president of the NM Solar Energy Association, has taken the first steps to qualify for public financing for the November 5 election.

Also up for election this year are Dem Councilors Ike Benton and Pat Davis. Zach Quintero, president of the Young Democrats of NM, has already announced a bid against Benton and two others are also exploring a run, according to the city clerk's site.

Davis is also expected to have a foe, but the City Hall watchers say he does not appear to face as tough a race as Benton.

The council is currently controlled by the Dems 6 to 3 but the panel sometimes divides along nonpartisan lines. . .

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver is working to create some pre-announcement buzz and appears ready to join the Dem chase for the US Senate nomination. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan is the only officially announced Dem candidate. Toulouse Oliver will make an announcement about her plans this month. . .

Republican Yvette Herrell has some company in the race for the 2020 GOP nomination for the southern congressional district. 61 year old Las Cruces businessman and Army veteran Chris Mathys has announced his candidacy for the seat held by Rep. Xochitl Torres Small who will seek re-election next year, Herrell won the GOP nomination in '18 but lost to Torres Small.

More home visiting for children pre-natal through age three was one solution offered on the blog Thursday to prevent the many child abuse deaths the state suffers, including two just recently in ABQ. Allen Sanchez, president of CHI (Catholic Health Initiatives) St. Joseph's Children, which runs a large home visiting program, stumped for more state involvement in the aftermath of child killings in ABQ and statewide:

. . . Home visiting is not punitive and it’s not about inspecting or judging,” Sánchez said. “It’s about a relationship and journey with somebody and presenting them with evidence-based best practices.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month but you wouldn't know it looking at the headlines around here.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019