The administration Monday failed to respond to a lawsuit brought by the NM Restaurant Association and others accusing MLG of targeting restaurants in her recent public health order that again closed in-door dining. Carlsbad District Court Judge Raymond Romero approved a temporary restraining order allowing in-door dining for the next 10 days--until the current health order expires.

It was MLG's first legal defeat since the onset of the virus. True, hours later the Dem majority NM Supreme Court issued a stay of the lower court ruling, forcing the dining rooms to stay closed, but the public legal maneuvering jarred thousands whose jobs are at stake and confused the public.

The public is also getting itchy and there could be political slippage for the administration. Take a look:

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima co-signed a letter with Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway that calls on (MLG) to let restaurants reopen indoor dining. . . Miyagishima. . . headed home from a city council meeting. . . .passed shuttered restaurant after shuttered restaurant. It was "kind of eerie," he said. . .The letter states the mayors don't see a connection between rising virus cases and reopened restaurants, since many have "set the example" by training their staffs to adhere to COVID-safe practices. . . The mayors say the move to reimpose restrictions hurts vulnerable employees and say outdoor dining is less than desirable when it's 100-plus degrees outside.

Migayashima is mayor of one of three progressive cities that are the backbone of MLG's support. The others being ABQ and Santa Fe. The Mayor's break with her over the pandemic is the first by a notable Dem officeholder in the three cities. 

Then there was the questioning of the order on Facebook by the owner of the ABQ Flying Star restaurant chain, a popular hang out of the progressive classes. How progressive? Well, the owner was scorched with scathing criticism from her customers for daring to question the closing of indoor dining, but her point had been made. Fissures are developing.

Part of this is due to the Governor's singular focus on the pandemic with little emphasis on the economic disaster that many in the state face. Witness the inactivity of her Economic Recovery Council.

The PR mess over the dining room closures comes on the heels of an investigative TV report that had MLG’s Deputy Chief of Staff trying to explain--with difficulty--how he had signed off on an apparently bogus $8 million state contract for PPE. And then there was the news about MLG's pandemic jewelry buying that have a sticktoitiveness to them.

Add in the bipartisan move in the Legislature demanding that MLG explain her spending of millions on the pandemic that lawmakers believe they should also have a say over.

The problems are piling up and the decision making process on the Fourth Floor is looking wobbly. That's not going to help her public standing or her chances of being in a presidential cabinet.

LEWIS ADIEU

Rep. Lewis

There will be a new Republican face filling House District 60 in Rio Rancho now that ten year Rep. Tim Lewis has withdrawn his candidacy.

We say Republican because no Democrat filed to run for the GOP leaning seat in the June primary and it is too late for the party to name a candidate for the November election. That means the person that members of the Sandoval County GOP Central Committee pick to replace Lewis on the ballot will become the new representative. But not until January. While Lewis has withdrawn his candidacy, he says he will serve out his term.

Lewis, 57, said he never intended to "make a career out of politics" and wants to spend more time with his family which includes four young boys. The longtime ABQ public schools high school teacher cited several accomplishments as he announced the withdrawal, including a measure that increases benefits to the children of fallen first responders and another that gives school credits to college bound students who choose Career and Technical Education courses.

Lewis, a staunch Republican differed often with his Dem colleagues, but remained well-liked and respected. ABQ Dem Rep. Javier Martinez tweeted of Lewis' departure:

Sad to see Rep. Lewis go. He was always a gentleman and never mean-spirited even though we disagreed on our votes 99% of the time. I’ll miss you, friend!

Lewis was the recipient of a kidney transplant but his brother Dan, a former ABQ city councilor who donated the kidney, said his brother's health is good and was not a reason for leaving the Roundhouse.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com)

Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. 

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com)