Deb Haaland

She's just about there. 

Rep. Deb Haaland, who made history Monday as she became the first Native American confirmed by the US Senate to be Secretary of Interior, is set to resign her congressional seat this afternoon and be sworn in Wednesday.

That's the word from her congressional office which despite Haaland's resignation will continue to operate under the supervision of the Office of the House Clerk until her replacement is selected by voters at a special election expected in June. Her office says: 

In New Mexico, Native Americans were not even permitted to vote until 1948, after a court battle gave them that right. Seventy-three years later Deb Haaland is the first Native American cabinet secretary in US history. 

That's sweeping change in the span of one lifetime and reaffirms the greatness of the nation and the hope it continues to represent to the entire world. 

As the Senate voted 50-41 in the affirmative for Haaland's nomination, migrants continued to gather along the southern border in large numbers hoping for a shot at a new life. Perhaps some heard the news and thought: "If someone like Deb Haaland can have her dream come true, why can't I?"

Aubrey Dunn, Jr.

While Haaland's confirmation is being celebrated the race to succeed her is about to get very real.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver must call a special election within 10 days of the Haaland resignation becoming official. 

Haaland's office says the resignation can't be official until the House is back in session this afternoon and her letter of resignation is read into the record. 

Whoever wins the special election will serve the remainder of Haaland's two year term that ends in 2022.

And it appears it won't only be nominees for the R, Dem and Libertarian parties who will be on that election ballot. 

Former GOP State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, Jr. is intent on running as an independent. Speculation on the blog about Dunn getting out now that GOP State Senator Mark Moores is getting in the race was quickly shot down by Dunn's son, attorney Blair Dunn:

Dunn needs 3,177 valid signatures to make the ballot and with nearly 6,000 already signed his odds look good. 

This presents a major headache for the GOP which is already a long shot to take back the heavy blue ABQ seat. Conservative Dunn is sure to take votes way from the R nominee as is the Libertarian contender. That leaves one liberal Dem and three vote splitting conservatives. 

But like Moores, Dunn may be looking at the bigger picture--garnering widespread publicity and keeping his name ID strong in case he makes a play for Governor in 2022. 

(Oldtimers will recall that his legendary father, Dem state Sen. Aubrey Dunn Sr. made a play for Guv in '82.)   

Republicans are upset that SB74 has bitten the dust. The bill would. . . 

The legislation is level-headed, but one Roundhouse watcher said it had become too emotional and a referendum on MLG's actions during the pandemic. Better, they said, to take it up when the atmosphere is devoid of the heat of the moment.

We told you about four-year KOB-TV anchorman Steve Soliz heading for the exits. Now he reports on Twitter that he's signed up for a new gig in Seattle at KING-TV. That's a promotion. Recent Nielsen ratings rank Seattle as the 12th largest TV market in the nation and ABQ as #47. . .

And longtime KKOB radio news anchor Larry Moehlenbrink says it's time for retirement. The golden voiced newsman, 65, says he and his wife will soon move to Scottsdale, AZ where he may do some media work, but after decades of journalistic service will be leaving the daily grind. Another KKOB radio alumni, Larry Ahrens, also recently announced his move to Scottsdale. Two more and they'll have a foursome. 

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