Moore Heading Guv's DC Office

One of Gov. Susana Martinez's deputy chiefs of staff is heading to Washington, D.C. to head the governor's branch office in the nation's capitol.

Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell confirmed that in an e-mail. Moore's transfer was first reported by blogger Joe Monahan,

Moore, a former legislator from Clayton, "will work regularly with the staffs of our congressional delegation, as well as federal agencies when necessary and the National Governors Association," Darnell said. "His office will ensure communication and coordination on the many issues that affect New Mexicans that have federal and state components."

Darnell said Moore's move was permanent, not a temporary position. Of course, in reality, no political job is permanent.

Meanwhile, Martinez quietly let a D.C. lobbying firm's contract expire with no intention of finding a replacement.

"The previous administration had not only a staff member in Washington, but also a lobbying firm on contract that was paid $10,000 per month by the administration," Darnell said.  "We have done away with the previous practice of hiring a lobbying firm and will simply utilize one staff member," he said, referring to Moore.

My story in today's New Mexican is HERE

UPDATE: 8:28 am: I just corrected an unintentionally funny typo. In the original version of this post it said, " ... no political jon is safe." I must have been thinking of Sens. Ensign and Vitter and Professor Chris Garcia. The correct word is "job."

In Case You Were an Exempt State Employee and Didn't Get This ...

Here's the memo.

(I deleted Brian Moore's email address because it appeared to be his personal email)


Termination Letter to Exempts

Gentle Giant Tapped for Susana's Chief of Staff

Gov. Elect Susana Martinez has named House Republican Whip Keith Gardner, affectionately known by his colleagues as "The Gentle Giant,"  as her chief of staff.

Former Rep. Brian Moore of Clayton, who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor this year will be a deputy chief of staff as will Martinez's campaign manager Ryan Cangiolosi.

Here's the news release:


KEITH GARDNER, CHIEF OF STAFF

Keith Gardner serves in leadership in the New Mexico Legislature as minority whip in the House of Representatives, in addition to representing District 66 and the people of Chaves, Eddy, Lea and Roosevelt Counties.  Gardner is the managing partner of Sprint Sports Rehabilitation Clinic in Roswell where he has resided for the last 17 years.

RYAN CANGIOLOSI, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF OVERSEEING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, CONSTITUENT SERVICES AND CABINET

Ryan Cangiolosi most recently served as director of personnel for the Governor-Elect Martinez Transition Committee.  Cangiolosi also served as campaign manager for Susana Martinez for Governor.  He has extensive business experience and is an officer in the United States Naval Reserve.  Cangiolosi has a BA and an MBA from the University of New Mexico.

BRIAN MOORE, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF AND LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR OVERSEEING POLICY AND CABINET

Brian Moore most recently served as director of policy planning for the Governor-Elect Martinez Transition Committee.  Moore is a business owner from Clayton and was a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2010.  He was a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from 2000-2008 serving on numerous committees including legislative finance and was a strong advocate for New Mexico’s rural communities.

JESSICA HERNANDEZ, GENERAL COUNSEL

Jessica Hernandez is a director in the litigation department in the Albuquerque office of Rodey, Dickason, Sloan Akin, & Robb, PA.  Hernandez specializes in cases involving product, premises and general liability matters.  She has served as a law clerk for the Honorable James O. Browning, United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico and received recognition as the youngest member of the New Mexico State Bar in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

MATTHEW STACKPOLE, ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL

Matthew Stackpole most recently served as director of support and coordination for the Governor-Elect Martinez Transition Committee.  Stackpole served as deputy director of campaign operations for Susana Martinez for Governor.  Previously, he assisted Richard J. Berry’s campaign for Albuquerque mayor, as well as field operations for the Republican Party of New Mexico.  Stackpole graduated from the University of New Mexico Law School in May 2010. 

SCOTT DARNELL, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Scott Darnell, a Farmington native, served as the communications director for the Republican Party of New Mexico and worked as a weekly commentator on the KNME-TV political discussion program, “New Mexico in Focus.”  Darnell is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and received a Master in Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  He is currently completing his work as a teaching fellow in the Department of Government at Harvard University.

MATT KENNICOTT, DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND PLANNING

Matt Kennicott most recently served as director of legislative and constituent affairs for the Governor-Elect Martinez Transition Committee.  Kennicott was previously director of campaign operations for Susana Martinez for Governor.  He has served as the chief of staff for the House Republican Caucus in the New Mexico House of Representatives.

Republican Moore Discloses Contributions

Republican lieutenant governor contender Brian Moore has joined the list of state candidates who are disclosing their campaign contributions months ahead of the legal deadline.

You can find that on Moore's Web site HERE . According to those figures, Moore has raised more than $118,000. Of that, $100,000 is a contribution from himself.

His contributors include several Republican legislators including Sens. Clint Harden and Carroll Leavell and Reps. Don Bratton, Don Tripp and Dennis Roche. Former state Land Commissioner Bill Humphries is among Moore's contributors as is Lou Gallegos, former chief of staff for Gov. Gary Johnson.

I was so busy in the lead-up to the special session last week I forgot to mention that GOP gubernatorial hopeful Pete Domenici Jr. also released a list of contributors. He's raised more than $264,000, according to his Web site.

Domenici donated $50,000 of his own money to the campaign. He also got about $40,000 connected to Robert Fiser, an Albuquerque lawyer who has been convicted of tax evasion.

Brian Moore in GOP Lt. Gov Race

Former state Rep. Brian Moore of Clayton has become the first Republican to declare his intent to run for lieutenant governor next year.

Moore, who served in the state House for four terms ending in 2008, doesn't argue with the term "moderate Republican."

"I came to the Legislature as a businessman," he told me in a phone interview. "I found the only way to get anything done (in the Legislature) is to work with members from both sides."

He said besides his legislative experience, he'd bring a business perspective as well as a rural perspective to the office.

Moore's Web site is HERE.

Though Moore is the only GOP candidate to announce for that position, other Republicans rumored to be running are Dr. J.R. Damron of Santa Fe who ran for governor in 2006, and Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, who ran for Congress last year.

I'm too lazy to type out all the Dems who are running or thinking of running. Kate Nash profiled them all on Sunday. CLICK HERE