"Hey, Jerome, RESIGN!" Party Says

From the New Mexico Democratic Party website:


August 5, 2011 

Chairman Javier Gonzales Requests Commissioner Jerome Block Jr.’s Resignation

Albuquerque, NM - Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Javier Gonzales released the following statement in light of the search of a state vehicle used by PRC Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr. and the reinstatement of charges that he misused public campaign funds:

"Today I am asking PRC Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr. to step down from his position as PRC Commissioner in light of the newest allegations of misuse of public dollars. The constant controversy from the Commissioner has become a distraction for New Mexicans. The Democratic Party strives to be a voice for transparency and integrity, and the resignation of Commissioner Block will help to usher in a way forward for New Mexico that is consistent with those ideals. "

###

Below is the full text of the letter sent to Jerome Block, Jr.:

August 5, 2011

Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr.
(address deleted by swt)
Espanola, NM 87532

Commissioner Block:

In light of the newest allegations regarding your conduct in office, and on behalf of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, I ask you to resign your position as PRC District 3 Commissioner.

The continued distraction created by your conduct is a black eye to all Democratic officeholders and a disservice to your constituents.

The Democratic Party strives to be a voice for transparency, honesty and integrity, and your resignation will help to move forward for New Mexico in a way that is consistent with those ideals.

Again, I ask you to serve your Party in this last request and initiate the healing process which can begin immediately upon your resignation.

Sincerely,

Javier Gonzales
Chairman
DPNM

UPDATE: 5:30 pm: My colleague Kate Nash is reporting that Gov. Susana Martinez also is calling on Block to step down. Through a spokesman, Martinez said Block "continues to exhibit what appears to be a serious pattern of misconduct. Abusing taxpayer money and betraying the public trust raises real questions about his ability to serve the people of New Mexico."

Javier Is Re-elected State Dem Chairman in Close Battle

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
May 1, 2011


In what turned out to be a much closer race than either of the top candidates had predicted, Javier Gonzales of Santa Fe held on to his job as state Democratic Party chairman, edging out challenger Sam Bregman.

In declaring victory at the meeting of the state Democratic Central Committee, Gonzales said the party was unified and ready to go forward to defeat Republicans in the 2012 elections.

“We’re coming together and moving forward,” Gonzales said as he called Bregman and his other opponent Letitia Montoya to the stage. They hugged and raised each others’ arms in a show of unity.

“Today marked the day we go forward as a unified party,” Gonzales told a reporter after the vote. “Today really showed the energy and commitment of the grassroots.”

Sam Bregman

“We lost fair and square,” Bregman told a reporter after the vote. “I congratulation the chairman and urge all my supporters to get behind Javier Gonzales and go out and kick some Republican tail.”

But only a couple of hours before, both Bregman and Montoya were harshly critical of Gonzales, saying he’d not done enough last year to help the Democratic ticket, which suffered major losses in the November election — and that Gonzales had not done enough to counter Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and her supporters during this year’s legislative session.

“We have leadership who lost the election,” Bregman said during his speech to the Central committee. He said 2010 — in which Democrats lost the governor’s race, a seat in Congress, the Office of Secretary of State and eight seats in the state Legislature — was the worst defeat for New Mexico Democrats in 80 years.
Montoya in her speech said, “I think it’s time for a woman to take over to clean up the mess the men have made.”

Former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, last year’s Democratic candidate for governor, defended Gonzales’ work in the 2010 election. “Javier did everything we asked him to,” Denish said in her speech nominating Gonzales for his new two-year term.

The four-month campaign for the chairmanship often became bitter and personal. Some of Gonzales’ supporters criticized Bregman, an Albuquerque lawyer, for representing several figures who have been central in corruption scandals in the past five years, including former state Treasurer Robert Vigil, who went to prison after being implicated in a kickback scheme.

But Bregman after the vote, downplayed the intensity of the battle, saying Democrats were a family that could fight but in the end unite for a common purpose.

Javier Gonzales

Out of 380 committee members voting, Gonzales won 191 votes — just over 50 percent. Bregman got 180, and Montoya got nine votes. Had Gonzales received one less vote, he would have faced a run-off with Bregman.

Gonzales, 44, is a business consultant, a former Santa Fe County Commissioner and son of former Santa Fe Mayor George Gonzales.

He also serves on the New Mexico State University board of regents. Before he decided to enter the race, Gonzales told The New Mexican that if he got named chairman of the NMSU regents there might be a conflict of interest if he stayed on as Democratic state chairman. He might be in a position of blasting the governor one day and asking for funds for NMSU the next, he said.

However last week in an interview he said he was not going to become chairman of the regents so he wasn’t worried about a conflict of interest.

The central committee meeting attracted most of the candidates and those considering running for U.S. House or Senate seats next year. Both U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich and state Auditor Hector Balderas — both of whom are running for retiring U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s seat — spoke at the event as votes were being counted, as did longshot contender Andres Valdez, an Albuquerque activist.

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, who is seeking re-election in the northern 3rd Congressional District, said he hasn’t decided whether to endorse one of the Senate candidates. Both Heinrich and Balderas mentioned Lujan in their speeches.

Eric Griego decides whether to take this call

In the 1st Congressional District, state Sen. Eric Griego of Albuquerque made it official Saturday, saying he will run for the seat currently held by Heinrich. Griego is one of the most uncompromisingly liberal voices in the Legislature.

Two possible candidates in the southern 2nd Congressional District — currently held by Republican Steve Pearce — emerged Saturday. One was Martin Resendiz, the mayor of Sunland Park, who said he plans to run. Meanwhile, former state Rep. Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces, told The New Mexican that he’s also considering the race. Cote lost his legislative seat to Republican Rick Little last year.

Check out my snapshots of the DEmocratic event today. CLICK HERE

It's On!

Later today the state Democratic Party's Central Committee will choose a chairman.

Incumbent Javier Gonales has been facing a stiff challenge from lawyer Sam Bregman. Letitia Montoay also is in the race. My story about the contest is in today's New Mexican.

I'll be there. I probably won't live-blog it, but follow my tweets from The New Mexican's feed. (And I might make a couple of stray wisecracks on my own Twitter feed.

Javier's Campaign Says He's Doing Fine in Poll

When I asked Sam Bregman yesterday about Sen. Jeff Bingaman's endorsement of Javier Gonzales in the state chairman's race, Bregman said Gonzales was publicizing the endorsement to counteract a recent poll Gonzales commissioned of state Democratic Central Committee members showing Bregman winning the contest.

"They're losing," Bregman said. "The train has left the station."

But today, Gonzales' spokesman shot me an e-mail saying that there indeed was a poll, but it showed Gonzales doing better than 54 percent. Bregman was pulling just over 37 percent, while Letitia Montoya had about 8.5 percent.

According to spokesman Matt Ross the call, which went out to all 400-plus Central Committee members, went as follows:

"Hello, tonight we are conducting a short survey on the upcoming State Democratic Party Chair's race. If the election were held today, who would you vote for:
Press 1 for Javier Gonzales
Press 2 for Sam Bregman
Press 3 for Letitia Montoya
Thank you for your time this evening."

But before Gonzales supporters start popping the champagne corks, a look at the poll shows that only 101 people responded. That's just under a fourth of the number of total members. So nobody really knows yet how the other 75 percent are going to vote.

The actual voting will take place on April 30.

Roundhouse Roundup: Bingaman Endorse Javier

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
April 14, 2011

Javier Gonzales' effort to win another term as state Democratic Party chairman received a huge boost Wednesday when he was endorsed by retiring U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman.

"I will cast my vote for Javier Gonzales for state party chair," Bingaman said in a statement emailed by a spokesman. "Javier has the state party on the right track, laying the groundwork for candidate recruitment, fundraising and party building to make sure New Mexico helps re-elect President Obama, elects great Democratic candidates in both open U.S. Senate and House seats, and equally capable Democrats up and down the ballot in 2012."

Gonzales, a former Santa Fe County commissioner, is seeking a second term despite huge Democratic losses in last year's general election. He's facing an aggressive challenge from lawyer and former Albuquerque City Councilor Sam Bregman. Letitia Montoya of Santa Fe also is running for the position.

Endorsements don't always mean a whole lot in political races, but this one's a big deal.

The low-key Bingaman probably is the most respected Democratic leader in the state. When he announced earlier this year that he wouldn't be seeking a sixth term, Democrats from all factions showered him with praise.

Not surprisingly, Gonzales was ecstatic about the endorsement.

"Jeff Bingaman set the bar high for public service in New Mexico with more than 30 years of dignified, honorable and ethical leadership," Gonzales said in a statement. "Working with him to build a stronger Democratic Party has been a privilege and I am honored to have his support. With Sen. Bingaman's wise counsel, I remain focused on Democratic victory across New Mexico in 2012 and on taking the fight to Governor Martinez and her anti-working-families agenda."

Bregman, in a telephone interview Wednesday, admitted he was disappointed in not getting Bingaman's support. "I certainly respect the senator," he said. "But I'm more excited about the 406 state Central Committee members," he said.

The challenger said he's known for some time that Bingaman is supporting Gonzales. "What's interesting is the timing," he said. According to Bregman, Gonzales recently conducted a "robo poll" of Central Committee members. "They're losing. The train has left the station."

Bregman has won the endorsements of a couple of unions: the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, as well as the International Association of Firefighters and Paramedics. "I think more will be coming," he said.

The green chile revolution: That's what some Rio Arriba County Democrats are calling the big win of the Democrats for Progress faction of the county Democratic Party last week in electing its officers. As a result of the elections, the old guard associated with the late political jefe Emilio Naranjo is out and a new crew is in.

Lucia Sanchez, who works in the Rio Arriba County Planning Department, was elected county Democratic chairwoman. She replaces state Sen. Richard Martinez, who didn't run for another term. Martinez, who considered Naranjo a mentor, was first elected to the party post in 2009, succeeding his ex-wife Theresa Martinez.

Richard Martinez has hardly lost all his political power. Earlier this year, he became chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Rio Grande Sun pointed out this week that Democrats for Progress has controlled major positions in Rio Arriba County for the last couple of decades, though the faction has stayed out of county party contests.

Roundhouse Roundup: Javier Seeks Re-election as NM Dem Chairman

It seems like only yesterday — actually it was just a week ago — that current state Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales was raising doubts about whether he'd seek another term.

Gonzales, who has been state chairman since 2009, told me last week he was trying to decide whether he'd rather stay on as party chairman or keep his position as a regent at New Mexico State University. He is slated this year to become chairman of the Board of Regents.

"It would be difficult to continue wearing both hats," he said.

Speculation about his plans came to an end Wednesday morning. Like who knows how many other political junkies in the state, I first learned about Gonzales' decision via his Twitter feed.

"Proud 2 announce for re-election as DPNM Chair," the chairman tweeted. "It's been an honor to serve; we have a bright future ahead!"

Who knew that old Prince album liner notes would one day be the standard grammar for political communications? But shouldn't he have said, "It's been an honor 2 serve?"

Gonzales faces at least one officially announced opponent for the chairmanship — Albuquerque lawyer Sam Bregman.

In an e-mailed statement, Bregman took a not-so-subtle swipe at the incumbent.

"We welcome Javier Gonzales into the race for a new Democratic State Party Chairman that will lead us into the future," Bregman said. "I look forward to debating Javier about what we are going to do to change the dismal results of the last election and how to come back strong in 2012."

In his news release, Gonzales argued that 2010 wasn't so bad for the Dems.

He boasted that in a Republican "wave" year, Democrats held on to two out of three Congressional seats and took several state offices, including attorney general, state land commissioner, auditor and treasurer.

"When the Republican wave could have spelled disaster, and did spell disaster in most states, Democrats in New Mexico held on to our majority in the (state) House," he said.

All true. But he didn't mention that Democrats lost eight House seats in the election, giving Republicans a closer margin than they've had in decades. And they lost the secretary of state's office. And the governor's race.

So it's going to be a tough battle. Bregman will be bringing up the losses of 2010, and I suspect Gonzales, or at least some of his supporters, will be talking a lot about the parade of Democrats implicated in scandals who have hired Bregman to represent them.

There's already an anonymous Stop Sam website and companion Facebook page bringing up Bregman clients like former Treasurer Robert Vigil and third-party marketer Marc Correra.

Bregman has yet to publicly comment on these sites. Maybe he's not worried. When I checked Wednesday, only 15 people had declared they "like" the Facebook page. Among them are former Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya and Michael Segura, whose wife, Letitia Montoya, also has been campaigning for state Democratic Party chairman.

So which hat? Will Gonzales now resign from the NMSU board? He answered through a spokesman: "I'm committed to fighting for the Democratic value of strong, accessible education for all of New Mexico's children, whether I do it as a Regent at a great university like New Mexico State or as the Democratic Party Chairman fighting back against the harmful policies of (Gov.) Susana Martinez."

OK. Does that mean he'll quit the regents if he wins the chairmanship and stay on if he loses? His spokesman didn't give a yes or no answer. "Javier is running for chair, and he is fully committed to serving as chair if he is re-elected," he said. I didn't get an answer to my follow-up.

The party's central committee will choose its new chairman in late April.

Sam Officially in State Dem Race, Javier Might Not Run

While lawyer Sam Bregman, a former Albuquerque city councilor, announced Wednesday that he is running for chairman of the New Mexico Democratic Party, incumbent Chairman Javier Gonzales said he hasn’t decided whether he’ll run again.

Gonzales said he’s trying to decide whether he’d rather stay on as party chairman or keep his position as a regent at New Mexico State University. He is slated this year to become chairman of the Board of Regents.

“It would be difficult to continue wearing both hats,” Gonzales said. He said he’ll make his decision soon. The party’s central committee will chose its new chairman in late April.

Gonzales, a former Santa Fe county commissioner who has been chairman since 2009.

In a news release sent to reporters Wednesday, Bregman said, “Enough is enough,” apparently referring to the loss of the governorship and eight legislative races by Democrats in November’s election. “We need to rebuild our party, from the bottom up and regain strong majorities in both the State House and Senate. ... Every day, as State Chairman, I will stand up and speak out for our core Democratic values.”

 Bregman began his political career as a precinct chair when he was 18. He’s also worked as a prosecutor with the district attorney in Albuquerque. He was on the City Council from 1995 to 1999. Bregman worked as a deputy state auditor. In 2000 he ran in the Democratic primary for Congress. In 2004, Bregman was vice chairman of the state Democrats.

Letitia Montoya of Santa Fe also has been campaigning for the party position.

Bregman vs. Gonzales

Covering a new governor and preparing for the upcoming Legislature, I haven't paid much attention to Sam Bregman's challenge to state Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales.


Below is a video interview Peter St. Cyr did with Bregman last week.

Peter asked him about what some see as political baggage -- that in recent years he's become best known as the lawyer who has defended Democrats involved in scandals -- former state Treasurer Robert Vigil, former Educational Retirement Board chairman Bruce Mallot, third-party marketer Marc Correra, etc.

(Bregman is the man sitting at the left in this photo. Correra is in the middle. This was at a 2009 meeting of the state Gaming Control Board.)

Bregman calls this criticism "silly, saying "I’m a lawyer doing my job. For someone to be that shortsighted is really silly."

Here's the video



Though I don't believe she's officially announced, as I reported last month, former SOS Mary Herrera ally Letita Montoya also has been campaigning for the state chairman job.

UPDATE 12 noon: I should clarify that neither Correra nor Mallot have been charged with any crimes. Mallot has been named in civil suits, including Frank Foy's whistleblower suit claiming there was political pressure on the ERB to make certain investments.

Corrected: 10-11 - I corrected my reference to the ERB. Got my alphabet soup mixed up.

Road Cleared for Javier

A little follow-up to my column yesterday.

Former Santa Fe County Commissioner Javier Gonzales’ road to becoming state Democratic Party chairman got easier Thursday after the only other active candidate for the post dropped out and endorsed Gonzales for the unpaid job.

David Montoya, chairman of the Sandoval Country Democrats, said in a phone interview, “I really like Javier. I like his family. And I believe it’s important that we get together and work for Lt. Gov. Diane Denish to become governor.

After Montoya agreed to drop out of the chairman’s race, current chairman Brian Colon appointed him to a newly created position of senior adviser to the chairman and director of party strategy.

The chairman’s position will become open Saturday because Colon is resigning to prepare for a campaign for lieutenant governor.

Gonzales, who works as a business consultant and serves on the Board of Regents for New Mexico State University, said earlier this week he intended to begin campaigning for the chairman’s post shortly after Colón steps down.

Roundhouse Roundup: Colon Stepping Down, or Is He Stepping Up?

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
August 6, 2009

Brian Colón will step down as state Democratic Party chairman at the end of the week, moving closer to a bid for lieutenant governor.

"I am submitting my resignation to the Party on Friday and it will be effective on Saturday," Colón told me in an e-mail on Wednesday. "I will then consider my bid for Lt. Gov."

Colón, an Albuquerque lawyer closely allied with Gov. Bill Richardson and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish — the only declared 2010 Democratic gubernatorial candidate — has been chairman since April 2007. The party's Central Committee will choose another chairman. State party executive director Josh Geiss said the party is shooting for early September for that meeting.

Both Javier Gonzales, a former Santa Fe County commissioner, and Sandoval County Democratic Party chairman David Montoya have shown interest in the job, Geiss said.

"Yes, I'm definitely preparing to enter the race for state chairman," Gonzales told me Wednesday. Gonzales, who works as a business consultant and serves on the Board of Regents for New Mexico State University, said he'll start actively campaigning for the unpaid post shortly after Colón steps down.

Gonzales, the son of former Santa Fe Mayor George Gonzales, served on the County Commission between 1993 and 2002. He's often considered running for other offices, including Congress, Santa Fe mayor and — apparently like most New Mexico Democrats with a pulse — lieutenant governor.

Speaking of which: The list of active and probable Democratic lieutenant governor candidates keeps growing. State Rep. Joe Campos of Santa Rosa said Wednesday that he's adding his name to that list. Campos is in his fourth term as a legislator and has been mayor of Santa Rosa for 12 years. He also served a term as a Guadalupe County commissioner.

Announced candidates for lieutenant governor include Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano and state Sens. Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Linda Lopez, both from Albuquerque. Mid-Region Council of Governments Executive Director Lawrence Rael is considering the race, as is political newcomer Matthew Padilla, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman.

Meanwhile, on the GOP side: State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque is telling reporters she'll seek the Republican nomination for governor next year. Arnold-Jones, first elected to her House seat in 2002, is expected to formally announce this month. Arnold-Jones is best known for webcasting House committee meetings without waiting for formal permission from House Speaker Ben Luján.

It's not known whether her announcement will stream live over the Internet.

Other GOP candidates for governor include Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez and former state party chairman Allen Weh. Former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson has said she's considering a run, as has former Gary Johnson campaign manager Doug Turner.

Learn 'em some grammar: The Governor's Office, in announcing its "bold steps" to fight the state's astonishing dropout rate, e-mailed a statement with this quote from Gov. Bill Richardson:

"To sustain New Mexico's growing economy and workforce, all New Mexican's must at the very least graduate from high school. We must accept that in the 21st century, to secure a job that will support a family and provide a decent quality of life, a high school diploma is a must." (The emphasis is ours.)

I would hope that this high-school diploma includes mastering the correct use of the apostrophe. I don't claim to speak perfect English — my exact language is some unclassifiable Okie dialect strongly influenced by early '60s rock 'n' roll deejays — and I've made my share of typos. But the incorrect "apostrophe S" is one that drives me crazy, probably because it's so common.

Some might even suggest that this error actually might help spotlight the educational crisis in this state. So I hope all you educator's and state public information officer's get to work on that.