Howe to Run for PRC -- as a Dem

Public Regulation Commission Doug Howe, who was appointed late last year by Gov. Susana Martinez to fill out the term of Jerome Block, Jr., said Monday he will run this year for a full term on the regulatory body.

Howe, who has worked for several energy companies and as a consultant to regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, was an independent when appointed to the body in November.

However, he said Monday that he intends to run as a Democrat. He joins an already crowded field in the Democratic primary.

Block resigned last year after pleading guilty to multiple felony counts in Santa Fe District Court.

Roundhouse Roundup: Extremists, Fascists, Terrorists & Libyan Agents Ru Amok in NM Politics

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
Nov. 13, 2011

Political rhetoric by its very nature tends to be overheated, over-reaching and hyperbolic. You can’t really blame the people who write it. You’re not going to fire up your crowd by saying, “There are several technical issues over which we don’t see eye-to-eye with our opponents.”

But in recent days there have been several cases here in which the political rhetoric, accusations and insinuations have gone overboard.

I’m tempted to say that it’s the worst hyperbole in the history of the world!

Extremist Teddy Bears' Picnic

On Wednesday, the state Republican Party sent out a news release bashing the Bernalillo County Commission for nominating a Democrat, Lisa Curtis, to take the place of longtime State Sen. Kent Cravens, an Albuquerque Republican who is stepping down to become a lobbyist for the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association.

I can see why the GOP would be upset. It’s a heavily Republican district that Cravens has represented for more than a decade, and commissioners selected Curtis on a party-line vote. But the party’s press release cried that the commission appointed a “Liberal Extremist.”

There was a time not so long ago when the word “extremist” was reserved for wild-eyed maniacs with bombs strapped across their chests or jackboots on their feet.

Reading on, I learned the “extremist” was Lisa Curtis, president of the state Trail Lawyers Association. Granted, Republicans don’t like trial lawyers, but “extremist”? (The basis for this charge is that Curtis doesn’t support repealing the law that allows illegal immigrants to have driver’s licenses and is against Gov. Susana Martinez’s proposal to stop “social promotion” in elementary schools.)

Then there was the case of Christopher Monkton, a global-warming skeptic who recently spoke in Santa Fe. His use of — and defense of — the word “eco-fascists” to describe his critics even raised an eyebrow at the conservative Capitol Report New Mexico news site.

But not all the hyperbole is on the right end of the spectrum.

Last week the pro Democratic Party group Progress New Mexico sent an alarming news release: “Did Martinez Hand-Pick a Quaddafi Advisor to Join PRC?!” screamed the subject line.

The email went on to point out that Doug Howe, who Gov. Susana Martinez appointed to take the place of disgraced former commissioner Jerome Block Jr. on the Public Regulation Commission, had “served as an advisor to former Libyan dictator Muammar Quaddafi’s government from 2005-2007 while working for the Cambridge Energy Research Group ... If Howe was the best fit to design a system to serve Moammar Quaddafi why in the world would Susana Martinez allow him to regulate New Mexico?”

Oh no! Susana plans to murder her own citizens to stay in power using her Libyan puppets on the PRC!

Or something.

Howe told the Associated Press that his firm was hired by the Libyan electric company to help upgrade its management and operating practices to provide a more reliable supply of electricity. He said he only dealt with management of the utility during his work there. This was after the U.S. had resumed diplomatic relations with Libya and lifted terrorism-related sanctions against the country. He said he never met with any government official or member of the dictator’s family.

But it’s not just the political pros who engage in this rhetorical overkill. There were photos in this week’s Santa Fe Reporter of a guy who hates living near the Rail Runner tracks so much he goes out with a protest sign when a train passes.

The picture that caught my eye featured the man with a sign that read, “Rail Runner: State Sponsored Terrorists.”

That’s right. Some terrorists blow up school buses. Others operate commuter trains.

Some might say that, a year before the 2012 election, the “silly season” has started. But the beauty of the world of New Mexico politics is that silly season lasts year-round.

Howe Says Think NM Plan for PRC is Worth Considering

It wasn't exactly an endorsement, but new Public Regulation Commissioner Doug Howe has gone on record saying Think New Mexico's plan to reform the commission has some good ideas.

"I think their calls for certain qualifications and a possible tearing off of the commission to other agencies is something to consider," Howe told The New Mexico Independent yesterday. 


Howe, who was appointed to serve the remainder of disgraced former Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr.'s term, wouldn't have any problem meeting Think New Mexico's proposed minimum qualifications -- a college degree or five years experience in any of the various areas regulated by the commission . He's got a PhD in mathematics and decades of experience in utilities.


Other commissioners to say they like some of the Think New Mexico proposals are Pat Lyons and Jason Marks.

However, Commissioners Ben Hall and Theresa Becenti-Aguilar are very much against the proposals.

In related news, Howe denies he was an accomplice of the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Independent Appointed to Block's Old PRC Seat

Gov. Susana Martinez has appointed Santa Fe energy consultant Doug Howe to fill out the term of Jerome Block, Jr., who resigned last month from the Public Regulation Commission.

Howe is a registered independent. He will join two Democrats and two Republicans on the PRC, which regulates utilities, corporations, the insurance and transportation industries and other areas.

Here's the governor's news release:

Governor Susana Martinez announced today that she has appointed Doug Howe of Santa Fe to represent District Three on the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Howe is a professional in the energy sector who currently serves as a consultant to Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA), a research and consulting company focused on regulatory, policy, environmental, and conservation issues. He will fill the seat vacated by former Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr., who resigned from his position on October 7.


“Northern and Central New Mexicans deserve a commissioner who is competent, trustworthy, and focused on the numerous issues in front of the PRC,” said Governor Martinez. “As an accomplished professional who is well-versed in energy, environmental, and regulatory issues, Dr. Howe has demonstrated the knowledge and experience required to serve capably on behalf of the people of New Mexico. I am confident that he is the right pick to serve on the PRC and will approach his position thoughtfully and professionally.”


Since 2010, Howe has served as an independent consultant to IHS CERA, working on issues relating to regulations, environmental policy, renewable energy, and conservation for companies in the global energy sector. From 2002 to 2010, Howe was employed by IHS CERA as a senior director and consultant. He has also worked as Vice President for Regulatory Policy for General Public Utilities Service Corporation and acted as a consultant to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He has consulted on a number of energy issues and development projects in the United States and abroad. Howe holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Kansas State University and earned his M.S. and PhD in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a registered Decline-to-State voter.


Following Block’s announcement that he would resign from the PRC, the Governor’s office received roughly 90 applications for the vacant seat, which serves portions or all of Bernalillo County, Colfax County, De Baca County, Guadalupe County, Harding County, Los Alamos County, Rio Arriba County, San Miguel County, Sandoval County, Santa Fe County, Taos County, and Union County. After reviewing applications with a focus on professional qualifications and experience, Governor Martinez announced five finalists for the position on October 24. The Governor’s appointment of Howe is effective immediately.

Who's Behind the Flag?

Whoever is in charge of the Public Regulation Commission's website had a novel way of dealing with the Jerome Block vacancy. Just cover the District 3 spot with the state flag.

We don't know yet who's behind the flag. Gov. Susana Martinez and her staff have the unenviable task of going through 88 applications.

Monday, Monday

Happy Monday to ya. Ready to start the work week.

In case you missed my story in yesterday's New Mexican about the money race in the Public Regulation Commission race, you can find that HERE. Actually there's not much of a race. All but one of the small army of Democratic candidates say they will or probably will use public financing, which means, assuming they qualify, they each will be receiving checks for $39,000 and change.

The only one who has said he won't use public financing is Danny Maki, who apparently is using his dad Butch Maki's contacts to build a good-size campaign war chest. And because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down part of Arizona's public financing law, if Maki (or any other candidate not using public financing) gets contributions beyond that $39,000, chances are the other candidates won't be getting marching funds from the state.

However, the fact that some Washington, D.C. telecommunications lobbyists among Maki's biggest contributors could become a sore point in the campaign, as the PRC is responsible for regulating the telecommunications industry.

Meanwhile let's start off this week with a little music. Here's Republican front-runner Herman Cain. He's said that if he's elected he'd like to jazz up the stodgy old "Hail to the Chief." I'm certainly against that. Unless he replaces it with this:




(Thanks to The Daily Beast)

ROUNDHOUSE ROUNDUP: Cutting Down on the Crooks & Clowns

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican 
October 9, 2011

 Here's a Sunday morning paradox for you. Could having less of a choice lead to a better choice for Public Regulation Commission?

PRC member Jason Marks

Commissioner Jason Marks thinks so. While he agrees with Think New Mexico's basic premise that the scandal-scarred commission is in need of a drastic overhaul including the proposal to require higher standards for commissioners elected to the $90,000 job, Marks said the think tank didn't go far enough in this area.

Think New Mexico's most recent report — published within days of Commissioner Jerome Block Jr.'s pleading guilty to a number of felonies and agreeing to resign from the regulatory commission — recommends that commissioners be required to have a college degree and/or at least five years experience in law, engineering, economics or accounting.

This, according to the argument, would cut down on the number of crooks and clowns (my words, not Think New Mexico's) who seem drawn toward the agency.

But Marks, an Albuquerque Democrat serving his second term on the commission, wants to add another step he says would held cut down on unqualified candidates — making candidates for the commission go through the pre-primary convention process, just as candidates for governor, Congress and other offices have to do.

Clowns in the Crosshairs

Here's how that works for candidates of the two major parties: Those who get support from at least 20 percent of the delegates at their respective pre-primary conventions would automatically get a spot on the June primary ballot. Those who fall short of the 20 percent mark would have to gather additional petition signatures to get on the primary ballot.

Marks said last week that this would cut down on the number of candidates in a primary. Part of the problem, he said is that crowded primaries mean that it takes only a tiny plurality to win. And often, in districts dominated by one party, the winner of the primary is virtually assured to win the seat.

That was the case with Block in 2008 who came out on top in a six-person primary. Block received less than 23 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary. No Republican ran for the position, so Block's only opposition in the general election was last-minute Green Party candidate Rick Lass.

Similarly, Carol Sloan — the other commissioner forced out because of a felony conviction in the past couple of years — won a five-person 2006 Democratic primary in PRC District 4. She won the primary with less than 30 percent. Like Block, her only general election opposition was a Green Party candidate.

Of course that's nothing compared to some of the old Santa Fe mayoral races. There were 12 candidates in 1994, only a few of which had ever held any public office before. There even was a lady who claimed to channel the ghost of late artist Tommy Macaione. Since then the city has made it harder to get on the ballot.

Marks admits that some people will complain that requiring commission candidates to go through the pre-primary conventions would give more power to "party insiders."

Come Back NM Defamation Suit

And pre-primary conventions don't always guarantee smaller primary ballots. Take last year's Republican governor field. Only Susana Martinez and Allen Weh had enough convention support to get an automatic place on the primary ballot. But all three challengers who fell short scurried and found enough petition signatures to make it onto the ballot.

Nearly the same thing happened with the Dems' lieutenant governor race. Three candidates qualified at the convention, but the two who lost there made it to the primary ballot.

But if having nearly 90 people applying for Block's vacant seat is any indication of how many candidates might be in next year's commission race, some kind of serious winnowing process is in order.

Dozens Want Block's Job

We've all read those depressing stories about job fairs where thousands of people line up in hopes of filling perhaps dozens of positions available.

A similar phenomenon seems to be taking place here at the Roundhouse, where there's one $90,000 job soon to be available. Dozens of applicants are sending their resumes to Gov. Susana Martinez in hopes of being tapped to fill disgraced PRC member Jerome Block's position.

As of late yesterday afternoon the governor's office was saying there were more than 50 resumes submitted. I know of at least a couple of more that have come in today.

Among those seeking the job are at least two Democrats who previously had announced they would run next year -- Santa Fe County Clerk Valerie Espinoza and former aide to Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, Danny Maki.

Others include former Espanola Mayor Joe Maestas, who lost to Block in the 2008 Democratic primary; Rick Lass, who lost to Block in the 2008 general election; former Santa Fe City Manager Asenath Kepler; former legislators Judy Vanderstar and Barbara Casey-Perea; former Santa Fe City Councilor Molly Whitted and former legislative hopeful Brigette Russell.

Keep in mind, this is only a temporary job -- completing Block's term, which expires at the end of next year. Those wishing to stay on must win election next year.

The deadline for submitting applications is at 5 p.m. today. I hope to run the complete list in tomorrow's New Mexican.

UPDATE 4 pm: Santa Fe County Commissioner Virginia Vigil, who has said she will run in next year's Democratic primary for PRC, also has delivered her resume to the governor's office.

PRC Remains in Spotlight

As of late Friday afternoon admitted felon Jerome Block Jr. still hasn't resigned from the Public Regulation Commission. Smart money says he'll wait until the 10th day, which is at the end of this week.

Over the weekend I published a story about 17 people applying for Block's soon-to-be-vacant job. Whoever does get the appointment from Gov. Susana Martinez would have to seek re-election next year to stay on the commission.

Also, on Sunday I wrote about Think New Mexico's proposal to overhaul the PRC as we know it. My story is HERE.

One proposal that seems to have popular backing is one that would increase the qualifications of commissioners. Under the plan, which would require a constitutional amendment, commissioners would have to have an actual college degree or five years experience in law, accounting, economics or engineering.

However, another story I wrote just last week shows that even higher qualifications might not root out all the scandals.

Court of Appeals Reinstates Charges Against Block

The state Court of Appeals has reinstated the criminal charges against Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block, Jr. that previously had been dismissed by a state district judge. The appeals court also reinstated charges against Jerome Block, Sr., a former PRC member.

Block Jr. was indicted on charges related to misusing public campaign funds in his 2008 campaign. But state District Judge Michael Vigil last year ruled that that the secretary of state could either impose a fine for violations or refer a case to the attorney general for criminal prosecution -- but not both.

The appeals court ruled otherwise. "The (law) does not limit the attorney general's authority to prosecute," Judge Cynthia Fry said in the ruling. Judges Rod Kennedy and Jonathan Sutin concurred.

Block Jr. is up for re-election next year but hasn't said whether he'll run. Two challengers, Valerie Espinoza and Martin Suazo have announced they are running.

Below is the ruling:
Block Ruling

Martin Suazo Runs for Block's PRC Seat

Martin Suazo

Martin Suazo, a longtime Democratic Party activist and chairman of the State Land Trust Advisory Board, announced today that he'll seek the Democratic nomination for the Public Regulation Commission seat currently held by Jerome Block, Jr.

Suazo, who just dropped by my office a few minutes ago, said his priority would be to create "green-collar" jobs. He also said he wants to help bring broadband internet to more rural New Mexico areas.

Suazo, 51, owns a wood-stove business in Las Vegas, N.M., the town where he was born.

Santa Fe County Clerk Valerie Espinoza is the only other announced candidate in the PRC race. Block, who is under criminal indictment in a long-delayed election violation case, has not said whether he'll seek re-election.

The Blog That the PRC Does NOT Want You To Read

Hello, freedom loving readers at the state Public Regulation Commission! According to a source over there, this blog is one that's been approved for your reading by your wise superiors.

However, Green Chile Chatter, the blog maintained by my Capitol Bureau colleague Kate Nash, is not so lucky. According to my source, if you try to go there, you get a message saying NMPRC internet policy does not allow this web site to be accessed.

That's not fair! Why does she get to be the banned one? That's a lot more fun than being the government-approved site!

Anyway, here's a copy of Kate's latest post. Ironically, it's about the new state government Sunshine Portal.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2010

New sunshine portal to launch sooner than expected

Good news in the good government category: the state's sunshine portal will be unveiled Thursday at a press conference in Albuquerque.

The site promises a ton of public information in one spot, including the yearly budgets for each state agency, with a categorized monthly expenditure list, a monthly summary of the State Investment Council's investments, info on all state employees, positions and titles and revenue the state is receiving, broken out by category. In addition, it will have a regular update of the state's check ledger.

If it works as promised, this will be a super handy tool for anyone who wants quick access to accurate information about how taxpayer money is being spent.

Sen. Sander Rue, who sponsored the bill to create the website, called it a one-stop shop.
"With the click of a mouse, the public can more actively participate in its state government. This one-stop shop website allows members of the public to more readily and easily become engaged in how government runs with our tax dollars," he said in a statement.

So far, it sounds like the site will quickly become a favorite for those following state government.

Roundhouse Roundup: Adding to the Discord

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican 
October 28, 2010

Was a local union leader looking to create a dramatic YouTube moment at the expense of Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez?

That’s what an e-mail sent this week to members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees might seem to indicate, though the man who sent it denies that’s the case.

“A campaign is looking for 3 or 4 people to attend Susana Martinez events and generally add to the discourse,” IATSE business agent Jon Hendry wrote in the e-mail sent Tuesday. “There is a stipend available, expenses will be paid, and know that you will be making a difference. Hopefully someone will take offence (sic) and we will get it on camera.”

Boy, maybe it could turn out like the footage of that incident in Kentucky, where supporters of Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul knocked a young female protester to the ground and one of them stomped on her head. That really would add to the discourse.

But Hendry told me Wednesday that he wasn’t trying to get anyone to disrupt Martinez events. “Adding to the discourse” wasn’t a euphemism for creating discord, he insisted. He was just looking for some volunteers to ask the candidate her positions on the issues.

“Nobody’s had the chance to ask (Martinez) hard questions, not just about the film industry but about labor in general,” he said. “I don’t think (Martinez’s advisers) want her to answer any questions. We sent her a list of questions and didn’t even get a polite response.”

Martinez’s campaign manager, Ryan Cangiolosi, sent me a polite response when asked about the e-mail.

“Diane Denish’s allies are just as desperate as their candidate and appear to be engaged in a coordinated smear campaign. We won’t be bullied.”

Even though he’d just sent the e-mail the day before, Hendry said he’d abandoned the idea to have volunteers confront Martinez. “I don’t think she’d answer any questions,” he said.

Speaking of unions: I talked to another local union leader Wednesday. Arcie Baca, president of the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says he’s supporting Gary Montoya, the Republican candidate for Public Regulation Commission in PRC District 4.

“He’s a union brother,” Baca said of Montoya. “He cares about state employees and respects them.”

Baca stressed that while he is personally endorsing Montoya, AFSCME hasn’t endorsed anyone in that PRC district. But, he added, incumbent Theresa Becenti-Aguilar is the only Democrat not endorsed by the union.

“We reached out to her, but she wasn’t interested,” Baca said. “She said she’s inclined to support management.”

Becenti-Aguilar was appointed by Gov. Bill Richardson this year to replace Commissioner Carol Sloan, who was convicted of felony assault. District 4 covers part of Santa Fe County, stretching from Eldorado to the northwestern region of the state.


(The print version of this column also has an item about former Gov. Gary Johnson's vote for Susana Martinez and comments about the negative tone of the campaign.  I blogged that HERE Wednesday.)

PRC SUSPENDS BLUE CROSS PREMIUM HIKE

This just in from the PRC. Looks like the Blue Cross/Blue Shield rate increase will get a PRC hearing. Here's the news release:

New Mexico’s acting Superintendent of Insurance Johnny L. Montoya today ... signed an order suspending the recently-approved Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) health insurance premium rate increase settlement agreement.

The order suspends the April 26 agreement – which saw rates for an estimated 40,000 New Mexicans increase by an average of 21.3 percent – and establishes a public evidentiary hearing, to be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 25 in Apodaca Hall (on the 2nd floor of the PERA Building, 1120 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe).

During the evidentiary hearing, NMPRC staff will present an overview of how it reached its decision to approve the original settlement, while BCBSNM representatives are expected to provide evidence and testimony to justify the double-digit rate increases. Additionally, public comment – both written and oral – will be taken during the hearing.

Montoya said he opted to sign the order to ensure that the rates are justified and to bring transparency to the rate approval process.

Tuesday’s order also includes a provision that allows BCBSNM to collect the agreed and increased fees pending the Aug. 25 hearing and any related decision.

“Because this increase coincides with very challenging financial times for nearly every New Mexican, it’s prudent for the Insurance Division and the citizens of this state to know exactly why such rates are warranted,” Montoya said. “My office is tasked with ensuring that the corporate solvency and consumer interests are balanced and I firmly believe that suspending the settlement and going ahead with the evidentiary hearing is in everyone’s best interest.”

Flunkies Unite!

This is a mailer for Public Regulation Commission candidate Hank Hughes.

Just let me make the following points.

1) I do not, nor have I ever worked for the PRC.

2) I am not a flunkie.

3) I can't speak for Nash.

4) I'm sure Hank didn't mean it that way. He probably was referring to this story.

(Thanks for giving me this, Mona.)

AG Wants to Bounce Sloan from PRC

Attorney General Gary King has petitioned the state Supreme Court to remove Public Regulation Commissioner Carol Sloan, who was sentenced today for her aggravated burglary and aggravated battery convictions.

Sloan was sentenced to five 5 years, suspended with the condition of supervised probation; a $2,500 fine plus $1,000 court costs.

Here's the petition.

Sloan Writ

PRC COMMISSIONER SLOAN GUILTY OF TWO FELONIES

According to the Associated Press, a Gallup jury found Public Regulation Commissioner Carol Sloan guilty of two felonies -- aggravated battery and aggravated burglary.

It'll take more than a couple of felony convictions to get her off the PRC though. According to the wire service, She can serve out her current term unless she is impeached." State law doesn't allow anyone convicted of a felony to be elected to public office.

Sloan had filed for re-election but faces four Democratic primary opponents, including Santa Fe homeless advocate Hank Hughes; Theresa Becenti-Aguilar; George James Galanis; and Albuquerque accountant Andrew Leo Lopez. The winner of the primary will run against Republican Gary Montoya.

The jury found that Sloan on July 14 attacked a woman named Brenda Yazzie, with a rock after accusing Yazzie of having an affair with her husband. The commissioner testified this week during her trial that she'd never hit Yazzie with a rock.

UPDATE: The State Republican Party Chairman Harvey Yates just called upon Sloan to resign:

“Commissioner Sloan received her day in court and was convicted of two felonies. Out of respect for the office she holds and the constituents she was elected to serve, Carol Sloan should resign immediately.

“Unfortunately, New Mexicans have grown accustomed to learning that too many of our state's Democrat leaders conduct themselves in a manner which tarnishes the state’s reputation and undermines their ability to lead. Today’s conviction offers yet another reminder that it is time to eliminate the single-party control under which this state has operated for too long.”

Another UPDATE: State Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales also called for Sloan to resign.

"I have called for Ms. Sloan's immediate resignation from the PRC. Ms. Sloan's actions are appalling, unacceptable and will not be tolerated by Democrats or anyone else in New Mexico. The Democratic Party of New Mexico expects all elected officials to abide by a higher standard and work to move our state forward."

Yet Another UPDATE: Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who is running for governor, joined in the call for Sloan's resignation.

"Public office is a public trust and Ms. Sloan has violated that trust," Denish said. "Therefore, I call on her to immediately resign her seat on the Public Regulation Commission."

Roundhouse Roundup: Everyone's a Front-runner

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
April 1, 2010

So who’s the front-runner in the Republican gubernatorial primary?

If you look at a recent poll by Dialing Services LLC, it’s Pete Domenici Jr. That automated telephone survey (robo-poll, as they’re called) of 2,250 likely Republican voters on March 22 showed lawyer Domenici with 30 percent of the vote.

Runner-up was Allen Weh, former state GOP chairman, with 21 percent. Las Cruces District Attorney Susana Martinez came in with 17 percent, Albuquerque public relations man Doug Turner had 8.5 percent and State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones had 4.5 percent.

All the calls for this poll were made between the hours of 6 and 8:30 p.m. I bet those robots were tired after that! The poll claims a 2 percent margin of error.

One caveat though. And it’s a big one. This poll was commissioned by the Domenici campaign. I’m not saying it’s wrong, but you’ve always got to take polls commissioned by campaigns with more than a few grains of salt.

Domenici’s poll came on the heels of another poll — this one independently done by Rasmussen Reports.

This one wasn’t measuring the horse race in the primary. Instead, it looked at matchups between each of the five GOP candidates against Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who is unchallenged in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

In these results was a surprise: Dark Horse Turner did better against Denish than the other Republicans. Denish beat him 43 percent to 34 percent — 9 percentage points. Rasmussen said Denish beat Weh 45 to 35 percent, a 10-point margin.

In the other matchups, Denish led Domenici by 17 percentage points (52 percent to 35 percent); Martinez by 19 points (51 to 32); and Arnold Jones by 22 percentage points (52 to 30).
In a news release, Rasmussen noted, “None of the GOP primary contenders draws more than 35 percent support against the two-term lieutenant governor.” Of course, it’s a long way to November.

Rasmussen’s poll is based on interviews with 500 likely voters in the state on March 24. The margin of error for this poll is 4.5 percent.

But just a month before these polls, North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling (a Democratic pollster) robo-called 990 New Mexico voters Feb. 18-20. Results showed Domenici running best against Denish. He was only 5 points behind her. Denish beat the rest of the GOP by 14 to 18 percentage points.

The state Republican Party last month blasted the “liberal data” from a “Democratic firm.” But the Dem poll showed the race closer in some matchups than the independent Rasmussen reported.

Public Policy Polling attributed Domenici’s stronger showing to name identification. (His dad was a U.S. senator for 36 years and made a few headlines during that time.)

But maybe there’s another explanation: Perhaps the robots doing the robo calls prefer Domenici.

Speaking of political families: As I reported earlier this week, the state Public Regulation Commission hired Johnny Montoya as its chief of staff.

Montoya, who has worked for the agency for two years, is the husband of state Rep. Rhonda King, D-Stanley, and therefore related to PRC Commissioner David King (who is Rhonda King’s cousin), not to mention Attorney General Gary King, who is cousin to Rhonda and David and son of the late former Gov. Bruce King.

But that’s not the only former governor to whom Montoya is related.

“I’m from Las Cruces,” Montoya told me Tuesday. “Jerry Apodaca first brought me to Santa Fe. I’m also related to him.”

Johnny Montoya New PRC Chief

Johnny Montoya, the husband of state Rep. Rhonda King, D-Stanley, has been hired as the interim chief of staff for the state Public Regulation Commission.

Montoya, 44 will replace Danny Mayfield, who is resigning to run for a Santa Fe County Commission. Mayfield's resignation is effective today.

Montoya told me Tuesday he's aware that his ties to one of the state's most prominent political families will raise some eyebrows. But he said he hopes people will consider his qualifications such as his years of experience in the corporate world as well as government.

"I'm not in this for the money," Montoya said. "I like public service."

He's also related to PRC Commissioner David King, who is Rhonda's cousin.

Read the whole story HERE

Workers to PRC: Can the Flunkies

I spent a good part of the afternoon over at the Public Regulation Commission going through the recent employee surveys on ethics, which were released today though a few of them were redacted.

The PRC got an earful. The most frequent complaint was about hiring practice -- that, in the words of one employee, "political flunkies" are hired for jobs for which they aren't qualified.

Some said fear of retribution kept most employees from reporting ethical violations. “This place is never confidential,” wrote one employee. “Too many management ‘Big Mouths’ in a political cesspool.”

Another worker turned to the bard. “Just what Shakespeare said. ‘Reputation, reputation, reputation. O, I have lost my reputation. I have lost the immortal part of myself and what remains is degrading.’ ”

Actually in Othello, the final word in that quote was “bestial,” not "degrading." But I think the meaning is clear.

Here's our story in Wednesday's paper. CLICK HERE

UPDATE: Hey, you can see my pretty face, hard at work looking at the PRC ethics surveys, about halfway through through this clip from Channel 4. (Gee, thanks, Gaddi ....)