Governor Lujan Grisham. Remember her?

While La Politica has been rightfully obsessed with the retirement of Senator Udall and the political dominoes falling because of it, MLG has been popping up  signing a mountain of legislation sent to her desk by state legislators in the recent 60 day session.she signed into law Wednesday. They call for funneling additional funds to school districts with large numbers of "at risk" students (mostly Native Americans and Hispanics) raising teacher salaries and expanding the K5 plus program that lengthens the school year for low income students.

And that's on top of a 16 percent year-over-year increase in the public schools budget after eight years of austerity.

Much of the credit for this goes to Santa Fe District Judge Sarah Singleton who in a historic ruling last summer said the state was violating its Constitution by not providing for the educational needs of the many at risk students. The legislature and Governor responded to the challenge.

Education leader and ABQ Dem State Senator Mimi Stewart took note of the concern that even with this progress, the state is still not in compliance with the Constitution:

This is a first step; this is not our last step.

Okay, enough policy wonking. Let's get back to the fun stuff on the campaign trail.

HOW MUCH?

We quoted a Dem consultant on the blog Wednesday who said $400,000 would be enough to capture the Dem nomination for the northern congressional seat but that was a low-ball number to other D consultants who quickly piled on over the estimate. One of them writes:

I’d say it’s at least two or three times $400K. As I recall, in the '18 ABQ Dem congressional primary Deb Haaland, Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Damon Martinez all spent in the neighborhood of $1 million (not including outside PAC money!).

After getting the passionate email we updated the estimate for the north to $750,000 to $1 million.

The consultant who estimated $400,000 clarified his position. He believes the first candidate to reach the $400,000 mark in money raised could stand a good chance of clearing away most of the field who know they can't do the same.

RENEE AND THE GATORS

Villarreal

Speaking of the northern US House race, would outgoing US Rep. and now US Senate candidate Ben Ray Lujan like to see Santa Fe City Councilor and lifelong pal Renee Villarreal, 43, take over his seat? Just asking.

The Alligators, taking note of Renee's silence, finally got her to say something about the race and it was just as they had thought:

I have been asked by friends, colleagues and family to consider running, given my experience on the Council, my previous work in Northern NM and also family ties in Sandoval County. I’m considering the different ways I can serve the communities I grew up in and care about so much.

We had one of the Gator's translate Renee's statement for us: 

Are you kidding me? Of course I would love to run and take Ben Ray's seat and I have every intention of doing so. But first I have to line him up to push some money my way and make sure we don't get noticed doing it. 

Hey, that's what we thought she said. Anyway, Ben Ray and Renee? Well, even if it's not a conspiracy, it does rhyme.

SENATE SOUNDINGS

Back to the Dem consultant pack and this take on one of the Republican names that the Great Mentioner has floated as a possible 2020 US Senate candidate:

Rep. Fajardo

Valencia County State Rep. Kelly Fajardo. That is an interesting name. If the goal of the Republican Party is to begin their comeback running good candidates who can begin to redefine their party as something other than for rich old white men and the oil industry, she would be a good start. The NM GOP comeback has to start somewhere. None of those other R names floated are even remotely viable for this race.

Well, Fajardo, like many others, has Roundhouse fever and is unlikely to give up her House seat to make the run. The chance of any R beating the Dem nominee is not good, so sitting in the minority in the state House for the next decade may be a better alternative than being out of the game completely. At least the lobbyists will still fawn over you.

XOCHITL SAYS

Southern freshman Dem US Rep. Xochitl Torres Small was on the list of possible Dem contenders for the Udall Senate seat when he announced his retirement, but she quickly dropped off. Now she has officially taken herself out of the running

Sen. Udall is both a friend and a mentor, and his absence in the Senate will leave an enormous void for New Mexico to fill. I will not be running to replace Senator Udall. There is so much work to do for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, and I am honored and grateful everyday to get to do that work. I am encouraged that we have strong, hardworking, diverse New Mexicans able to take the baton, and we will find the right person to tackle the challenges we face and seize opportunities for all of New Mexico.

That shout you just heard was from Republican Yvette Herrell's campaign office: "Get me plan B!"

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019