"I understand where the commissioner is coming from," Sanchez said. But he added that the alternative to the 0.6-mile route is longer and would run through adjacent federal land.

This is a big deal for the biggest construction project in New Mexic0 history (up to $165 billion). A go-ahead for the pipeline would be a major push forward for Jupiter, which continues to deal with challenges—including a battle for a state air permit vital to continued construction.

Sanchez is making no friends on the Democratic left with this statement, but he is ahead in the polls and has taken oil and gas campaign contributions. His GOP opponent, Roswell County Commissioner Michael Perry, goes even further than Sanchez regarding Garcia Richard's rejection of the pipeline:

"I think it’s a poor decision, and the reason I think it’s a poor decision doesn’t have anything to do with the data center," Perry said, adding that the State Land Office has a fiduciary responsibility to New Mexicans.

Project Jupiter

Already on board with Jupiter is Governor Lujan Grisham, as well as Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland, who has taken a least $87,000 in contributions from companies affiliated with the project and rejected a call from her left wing to return the money. Haaland has called for a moratorium on future data center projects, but not Jupiter. Republican governor nominee Greg Hull is also supportive of the giant development.

Protesters have sophisticated backing from the environmental group New Energy Economy, whose stiff opposition to Jupiter has rallied enviros. But the political tea leaves—and the impracticality of shutting down a project already 26 percent completed and employing thousands—make stopping it unlikely.

The PR on the project has been a case study on how not to win and has cost the data center developers time, money and goodwill. But the boiling rage over the project finally seems to be cooling with the fall temperatures, and perhaps the realization that the data center is too late to halt.

Jupiter is finally starting to get the PR right, opening the center for a media tour and announcing that there are now 4,400 full-time construction workers at the site, with 600 of those workers coming from Doña Ana County and a total New Mexico workforce of 1,200. They say eventually the construction employment will hit 7,000.

No wonder the state's major labor unions have rallied behind the project, and why Democratic politicians like Juan Sanchez and Haaland have room to compromise. The livelihoods of too many families are on the line to take a rigid ideological position.

PRITZKER FOR VASQUEZ

JB Pritzker

Billioniare Illinois Governor and possible '28 presidential candidate JB Pritzker is paving the way for a friendly welcome from state Democrats for when the presidential primary season comes around. Take a look:

. . . In a somewhat unusual move, Pritzker’s Ready for the Fight PAC recently took over $2.8 million in ad reservations supporting New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez in his competitive reelection race, freeing up money for the House Majority PAC as it tries to play more offense. Like Michigan, New Mexico is a new addition to the early-state window, slated to hold its primary a week after New Hampshire in February 2028. 

National Dems have approved a February 15, 2028, presidential primary for New Mexico that must still be approved by the legislature. 

Pritzker has also been warm with MLG, who won't be governor when the prez primary is held but surely has her resume ready for any billionaire politicos who might be interested.

DIDI A DEM? 

Didi Opareke

Reader Kevin Bersell writes of our write-up on the TV debate between Dem US Rep Melanie Stansbury and Republican challenger Didi Okpareke:

I read your piece about Didi Okpareke with interest. She sounds like a real dynamo. But she seems to be missing the main point: If she is concerned about the war, food programs for families and investment in New Mexico she joined the wrong party. 

The Republicans started the war, they slashed funding for food programs and are grifting whatever money is left over. The good news is the Democratic Party is working to improve those issues. I realize she can't change her party right now, but after the election, she's welcome to join us.  

Hear that, Didi? Maybe Melanie can give you some fund-raising tips if you switch.

Okpareke certainly got the attention of the Dem intelligentsia with her spunky performance against Stansbury. Here's reader Karl Kiser: 

I find it perplexing that Didi Okpareke is a Republican candidate for CD-1. Her parents migrated from Nigeria to the United States because of discrimination and violence against the Igbo people. I lived in Kaduna during a portion of these times. Igbo, in the north, had to flee or be killed simply by being a member of the wrong tribal group. Many were born in the Northern Region and never lived in the Eastern Region. The current Republican Party is on record promoting tribalism and a select form of nationalism. This is the antithesis of the opportunities Didi enjoys in the United States. I ask: Why is she a Republican Party candidate? 

Didi fan Amanda Castillo answered the critics with two words in her debate reaction: "Rock star!" 

NO ON FOUR 

St. Cyr

Peter St. Cyr, a veteran journalist and more recently a widely published political cartoonist, has reported on the New Mexico legislature for decades. He says the proposal on this year's ballot to pay the 112 lawmakers a full-time salary while they still get to keep another full-time job is too flawed for voters to give their approval:

This is the Home of New Mexico politics.