Wednesday, October 28, 2020Two SW State Senate Seats Provide Thrills And Spills In Final Campaign Days; Neomi Vs. Crystal And Siah Vs. Jimbo, Plus: Prepping For Our Election Night Coverage
Both contenders are breathing fire as the too-close-to-call struggle edges close to something like hand-to-hand-combat. The latest is Diamond firing off a fund-raising letter berating outside progressive groups for interfering in the race and preceded by condemnations of Martinez-Parra as a "radical." Now comes longtime political hand Robert Lara with rebuttal from Martinez-Parra's campaign: I am not surprised by Crystal Diamond’s comments. Setting the bar early for her defeat and blaming outside groups has always been her go-to stance. Families here care about access to healthcare and opportunities for their children. Neomi Martinez-Parra has a proven record for serving our communities, as a special education teacher and an activist for southwestern New Mexico. . . As far as the “special interest groups” complained about, Neomi just received the endorsement of the Las Cruces Fraternal Order of Police and her campaign is proud to get their support. Right now, Neomi is focused on helping voters get to the polls and vote safely in the last days of this election. However, Mrs. Diamond is focused on who’s to blame for her failure to connect with the people of New Mexico, and as usual, it is not her. If we're on the air until 2 in the morning Election Night, we'll probably be talking about Crystal and Neomi. It could be that close. SIAH AND JIMBO
Dem educator Siah Correa Hemphill and Republican rancher James "Jimbo" Williams are vying to replace conservative Dem Sen. Gabe Ramos who progressive-backed Siah ousted in the June primary in this SW district (#28) once held by Lt. Gov. Howie Morales. The race started with Hemphill in front and she still appears to be, but southern rural races like to tighten toward the end. That's one reason why the Hemphill camp was celebrating their endorsement from the Silver City Press which thinks Jimbo's attacks on Siah may have have fallen flat:
Jimbo Williams, put out a ham-handed campaign accusing Correa Hemphill of defrauding the Silver Schools by taking an unpaid family medical leave to care for her children. While the backlash was swift, Williams refused to back off the quickly debunked accusation — and in the Daily Press candidate forum this month, flat-out ignored the opportunity to address it. Williams is part of a slate of candidates running on a platform of “respect,” but the misleading attack on his sympathetic opponent undermined that promise almost immediately. The dueling duo are not far apart on every issue. Siah says she is for legalizing recreational marijuana while Jimbo describes himself as "open" toward the proposal. ELECTION NIGHT 2020
That's just what we did and are pleased to welcome Marianna Anaya to the public radio broadcast next Tuesday. Not only is she deputy director of the liberal advocacy group ProgressNow NM but she is also president of Emerge NM which has a lengthy and enviable record of recruiting women candidates and getting them elected. Anaya, a NM native, is monitoring and strategizing over every key Senate and House race every day until the election. It keeps her up late and we think she'll do the same for you come Election Night. And if you happen to be one of the millions interested in perhaps the most fiery, impassioned congressional race in the USA playing out in southern NM between R Yvette Herrell and D Xochitl Torres Small, we've got you covered. No one knows that sprawling mainly rural district better than veteran GOP political consultant Bob Cornelius who grew up in metropolitan Tatum--you know, on some days a population of less than 50. He also has roots in Austin so who better to keep tabs on the "Little Texas" counties so critical to this contest. Bob says of this too-hot-to-handle battle: "When it comes to a race like this, I'm a long distance runner and an all-day hunter." And an all night hunter too--on Election Night 2020. 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 2020 |
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