Even if hit by another crash in oil prices it's hard to see how New Mexico or its major cities will be running into any serious financial trouble after the weekend passage by the US Senate of an immense $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. State Senate Finance Committee Chairman George Munoz pegs New Mexico's share of the funds at $3 billion. 

At ABQ city hall a student of the bill says ABQ will be getting around $100 million from the giant package. Much of that will be used to fill revenue holes that developed during the pandemic. Santa Fe and other municipalities are also in store for sizable cash injections. 

The state is already carrying huge reserves, expected to total just under 25% of the entire budget for the next fiscal year. The federal dollars could provide an even bigger buffer.

Politically, ABQ Mayor Tim Keller and Santa Fe's Alan Webber could benefit as they roll out the funds between now and their November re-election bids.

The only thing possibly stopping Keller from a second term is the interminable violent crime. An open air weekend murder at the Coronado Shopping Center again highlighted the perils he faces (not to mention four decomposing bodies found in a car parked at the Sunport).

Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales, a conservative Dem, is expected to make an official announcement in the coming days and an independent committee raising money for his bid is expected to soon follow. 

On the Mayor's left, Nicolas Bevins, 24, has also signaled a run. He describes himself as openly autistic, an "autism advocate" and a onetime organizer for Bernie Sanders. It's not the kind of candidacy that will panic Keller, but is a reminder that a strong, well-financed progressive could be a direct threat to his re-election. 

Webber seems a bit more secure. Our Alligators nailed it when they reported that Webber was going to run again and was milking the press for attention as he claimed undecided status. Playtime ended Sunday when Webber, 72, announced for a second term.

Webber's main problem is renewed flames from the ancient ethnic visions in the City Different. The back east Anglo Mayor has had difficulty handling that hot potato but not much else has hurt him. He will be well-financed again and, like Keller, has a loyal and large progressive base. 

There is one less potential sacrificial lamb vying for the right to be the GOP candidate for the ABQ congressional seat when it becomes vacant upon the resignation of Dem Rep. Deb Haaland who is about to move up to Secretary of Interior.

APS school board member Peggy Muller Aragon, wife of attorney Robert Aragon, a GOP vice chair, has pulled out of the race. She says in a letter to the party that her work as a school board member comes first:

Four candidates remain in the contest, one of whom will be named as the eventual nominee by the GOP state central committee. But the Dems see none of them as a major problem. They say any of the candidates nominated by their central committee will have an easy ride at the special election to fill the Haaland seat. That election is expected in June or early July. The seat has been in Dem hands for over a decade.

Michaela Chavez, who ran and lost for state senate in '20, is now the lone woman in the GOP race. Radio station owner Eddy Aragon, who lost a party chair race to Steve Pearce, and 2020 congressional candidate Jared Vander Dussen are the other main contenders. Newcomer Ronnie Lucero is also running.

Whitesides

This sudden and unexpected development has Spaceport supporters concerned anew:

Seeking further insight we asked for an opinion from Brent Eastwood, formerly with the state's economic development Department, and who is now urging that the state sell the Spaceport to the private sector,