Another state House primary battle getting attention is in SW NM where former Dem state Rep. Rudy Martinez is battling Karren Whitlock, who twice ran unsuccessfully against Republican Rep. Rebecca Dow and who is now running for Govneor. 

With redistricting Martinez and Whitlock are now facing off in HD 39 which includes Silver City in Grant County as well as towns and villages in Catron and Hidalgo counties. 

The seat is currently held by freshman GOP Rep. Luis Terrazas who beat Martinez in 2020. But Terrazas could be in trouble no matter who wins the Dem primary. His new seat has a Democratic performance rating of 55.7 percent to 44.3 percent for Republicans. 

Whitlock, the progressive in the race and Martinez the moderate, were evenly matched in cash on hand going into the final weeks, with Whitlock reporting $48,000 for the last weeks, including a personal loan of $16,000. Martinez, who has represented the area on and off for the last ten years, reported $47,000 in cash, including a personal loan of $15,000.

Whitlock, an educator and social worker, received $1,000 from state Rep. Patty Lundstrom in the most recent money reports and $2,000 from Rep. Javier Martinez. Both are potential candidates to replace outgoing House Speaker Brian Egolf. The selection will made by the House Democratic caucus. Lundstrom also donated $1,000 to rudy Martinez but Javier Martinez's committee did not donate to him.

Whitlock vs. Martinez will be high on our watch list when we take to KANW 89.1 FM on June 7 to deliver all the latest primary election results.

Meanwhile, Sen. Heinrich is back with yet another round of endorsements, the chief one being that of Dem State Auditor candidate Zack Quintero who is challenging Public Regulation Commissioner Joe Maestas for the Auditor nomination. The stakes are high. There is no Republican candidate running so the Dem primary winner will take the prize. There is a Libertairan candidate. 

There will eventually be wedding bells in MLG's future but they are not going to be heard in DC on May 21 as originally planned. That's the word from close associates of the Governor who said the decision to postpone the wedding of MLG and longtime boyfriend Manny Cordova was made out of respect for those who have suffered tragic consequences from the historic wildfire in Northern NM that is now the largest in state history. 

The Guv has been on the fire scene and giving briefings as well as announcing state actions to deal with the disaster. The "look" of a wedding in the midst of all of that would obviously be inappropriate. The couple were scheduled to be married at the home of Vice-President Kamala Harris with Harris officiating. No new wedding date has been announced.