MLG in Roswell

MLG hit the reset button on her Guv campaign at this weekend's Democratic preprimary convention. She brought out the mariachis and twirled with Lt. Gov. Howie Morales on a makeshift dance floor, unveiled a fresh video to get the delegates' hearts beating and set forth what she considers her major accomplishments that will form the core of her '22 stump speech. (Video)

The American Bandstand atmosphere was a stark contrast with the masked, stern executive the state had become accustomed to during the long dark days of Covid and more organized than the one who showed up in June 2020 and delivered an ill-received re-election announcement where she memorably called out hecklers as "QAnon lizard people."

With an unsettled national scene Republicans have been champing at the bit to get the race going, so much so that the national R's are already running high profile negative (anti-crime) TV ads against the first-term Governor as they try to soften her up.

But it won't be easy and the gradual waning of Covid is largely why. There's a marked difference in public perception of a masked, buttoned down Governor to the free wheeling one on display at Saturday's preprimary in Roswell. 

The GOP base has learned to love to hate MLG and have helped send her polling numbers into the land of mediocrity but without the masks, the crowd restrictions and the daily drumbeat of Covid it's not the same. They are going to need the electorate to relive those emotions and act on them months down the road. That old cliche about voters having a short memory looms large. 

More recent memories are more pleasant for the electorate and the Governor's speech was full of them: An increase in the state minimum wage, the extra large pay hikes for the state's 25,000 teachers; increased investment in early childhood; the legalization of cannabis April 1 that is expected to create 11,000 jobs (albeit low-paying ones) and a flush film industry and coming film school (courtesy of big taxpayer subsidies).

Unlike her 2020 announcement there were no hecklers to shout names at but she did take jabs at the GOP. "They are part of the big lie. Democrats don't lie." 

And: "We added more jobs during the pandemic than the (Martinez) administration did in eight years."

Employing the scrappy language of social media, she also urged Dems to bring to the midterm election their "bad asses."

Meanwhile the Dems wait to see if bad polling numbers turn good. 

Mariachis in Roswell

There are no election results to announce from the preprimary. Votes were taken on placing candidates on  the June 7 primary ballot but they were cast electronically for the most part and will not be reported until March 13th. A candidate needs 20 percent delegate support to win an official ballot spot. If not, they can submit additional petition signatures to win a spot.

The race featuring former Sandoval County Treasurer Laura Montoya and State Treasurer Chief of Staff Heather Benavidez is intense and could be close. The State Auditor face-off between Zach Quintero and political veteran and Public Regulation Commissioner Joe Maestas will be spirited. Dem Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard (remember her?) faces no primary opposition. Ditto for SOS Maggie Toulouse Oliver. 

SUMMING UP

Chavez & MLG

Convention delegate Israel Chavez, an attorney and longtime Dem activist, sized up Saturday's happenings:

The party is unified. There was a sense that either Mark Ronchetti or Rebecca Dow will be the Republican Governor nominee but there seemed to be concern among party pros about Dow being the more difficult target. 

The race for the attorney general nomination should be close but delegates are comforted knowing that the primary winner will also win in November. In fact, it appears that unless there is a major shift all the statewide races will remain Democratic. The GOP candidates do not appear particularly strong. 

The state GOP came with the counterpoint:“

This Convention was a weak affair with low turnout and empty seats, showing the waning support of the Governor and the Democratic Party. This lovefest Convention is nothing more than a “Democrat Makeover”--underneath the self-congratulations is a real sense of fear and nervousness. These Democrats know they’re in trouble. From Washington to the Roundhouse, progressive Democrats have inflicted pain on New Mexicans.

Dems say they had about 900 in attendance with about 600 participating virtually.

BACK HOME

A touching return to Capitol Hill last week for Senator Ben Ray Lujan who was felled by a stroke in late January but has now recovered and is back to work.

When he entered a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, already in progress, the committee chair, Sen. Maria Cantwell, paused and exclaimed "Yay!" (Video here). Committee members stood and applauded. 

Lujan said he had missed them all and that the prayers and videos sent his way "really worked." Cantrell concluded the welcome back, saying: "We love you, Ben Ray."

Other than his shorter hair, a result of brain surgery, Lujan appeared his old self.