2012 Voter Guide, Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, Oct. 25-31, 2012 1 BY JESSE CHANEY Managing editor Richard Cordova said his economic-development work makes him the best candidate for Colfax County’s District 3 commissioner seat, and James “Landon” Newton believes his own banking experience is most valuable. Cordova, the Democratic candidate from Eagle Nest, said economic development would be his No. 1 priority as commissioner. He said his seven years of experience as chair of the Northeast Regional Planning Organization and service to other economic development groups distinguish him from Newton, the Republican candidate from Springer. “Every committee that I’ve been appointed to or elected to has been for economic development,” Cordova said. “I know (Newton) has said some of the same things, but I’ve been working on it for eight years and he has not.” Newton said his top priority is a fiscally conservative approach to managing county resources, and his almost 30 years of experience in banking and business distinguish him from Cordova. During his time as a loan officer, Newton said, he worked closely with farmers, ranchers, business people and individuals seeking loans for home improvements, vehicles and to send their children to college. “I have a degree in business administration with a major in finance. I know how to analyze budgets and projections, which is an important part of the county commission’s BY JESSE CHANEY Managing editor Educator Gary Martinez said his commitment to lower taxes makes him the better candidate for the District 40 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives, while incumbent Nick Salazar pointed to his 39 years of experience as a legislator. “What sets me apart pretty much is based on (Salazar) voting to raise taxes, and that’s No. 1,” Martinez, the Republican candidate from Mora, said. “His voting record shows that he’s raised taxes on small businesses and so forth, and in general.” The Democratic candidate from Ohkay Owingeh and the longest-serving member of the New Mexico Legislature, Salazar said he does not know much about his challenger. “I don’t know what his agenda is or what he does,” Salazar said. “I don’t know him at all.” However, Salazar said he believes he defeated both of his Democratic challengers in the primary election because of his experience in the state legislature. “A lot of people know me because I served in the legislature for quite a while,” he said. “And they might not know me, but they have heard of my name or heard of me.” When a new redistricting map takes effect in January, District 40 will include southern portions of Colfax County including Angel Fire, Eagle Nest and Cimarron. Nick Salazar Salazar said his priorities as a legislator are employment, education, seniors and health care. “I think unemployment is the most important issue,” he said. “...We’re the last ones to get really hit, but we’re also the last ones to recuperate.” Salazar said much of the capital outlay money provided by the state is used for major construction projects, which helps put people to work. “When you spend a couple hundred million dollars, there’s a lot of jobs in that,” he said. Commission hopefuls tout different types of experience Thursday, Oct. 25-31, 2012 Educator faces longtime legislator for N.M. House District 40 seat Nick Salazar Gary Martinez Freda Baca Janet Jones Supporting staffers vie for county clerk job BY JESSE CHANEY Managing editor Colfax County Clerk Rayetta Trujillo can not seek re-election this year due to term limits, but both candidates for her replacement already work in her office. Republican clerk candidate Janet Jones is one of the county’s four deputy clerks. Her challenger, Democrat Freda Baca, is the chief deputy clerk. Baca said she is the only candidate who has helped the clerk carry out elections. “I have the experience with her of actually running the elections, getting the machines ready, the ballots, getting the supplies ready to take to the various polling places and the election workers,” she said. If elected, Jones said, she will have the opportunity to attend the classes her opponent completed. She said she knows what needs to be done in the clerk’s office on a daily basis. James “Landon” Newton Richard Cordova SEE COMMISSION ON PAGE 8 SEE HOUSE ON PAGE 8 SEE CLERK ON PAGE 7 2012 Voter Guide
Richard Cordova said his economic-development work makes him the best candidate for Colfax County’s District 3 commissioner seat, and James “Landon” Newton believes his own banking experience is most valuable.
Cordova, the Democratic candidate from Eagle Nest, said economic development would be his No. 1 priority as commissioner. He said his seven years of experience as chair of the
Northeast Regional Planning Organization and service to other economic development groups distinguish him from Newton, the Republican candidate from Springer.
“Every committee that I’ve been appointed to or elected to has been for economic development,” Cordova said. “I know (Newton) has said some of the same things, but I’ve been working on it for eight years and he has not.”
Newton said his top priority is a fiscally conservative approach to managing county resources, and his almost 30
years of experience in banking and business distinguish him from Cordova. During his time as a loan officer, Newton said, he worked closely with farmers, ranchers, business people and individuals seeking loans for home improvements, vehicles and to send their children to college.
“I have a degree in business administration with a major in finance. I know how to analyze budgets and projections, which is an important part of the county commission’s
By Jesse ChaneyManaging editor
Educator Gary Martinez said his commitment to lower taxes makes him the better candidate for the District 40 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives, while incumbent Nick Salazar pointed to his 39 years of experience as a legislator.
“What sets me apart pretty much is based on (Salazar) voting to raise taxes, and that’s No. 1,” Martinez, the Republican candidate from Mora, said. “His voting record shows that he’s raised taxes on small businesses and so forth, and in general.”
The Democratic candidate from Ohkay Owingeh and the longest-serving member of the New Mexico Legislature, Salazar said he does not know much about his challenger.
“I don’t know what his agenda is or what he does,” Salazar said. “I don’t know him at all.”
However, Salazar said he believes he defeated both of his Democratic challengers in the primary election because of his experience in
the state legislature. “A lot of people know
me because I served in the legislature for quite a while,” he said. “And they might not know me, but they have heard of my name or heard of me.”
When a new redistricting map takes effect in January, District 40 will include southern portions of Colfax County including Angel Fire, Eagle Nest and Cimarron.
Nick SalazarSalazar said his
priorities as a legislator are employment, education,
seniors and health care. “I think unemployment is
the most important issue,” he said. “...We’re the last ones to get really hit, but we’re also the last ones to recuperate.”
Salazar said much of the capital outlay money provided by the state is used for major construction projects, which helps put people to work.
“When you spend a couple hundred million dollars, there’s a lot of jobs in that,” he said.
Commission hopefuls tout different types of experienceThursday, Oct. 25-31, 2012
Educator faces longtime legislator for N.M. House District 40 seat
Nick SalazarGary Martinez
Freda BacaJanet Jones
Supporting staffers vie for county clerk jobBy Jesse ChaneyManaging editor
Colfax County Clerk Rayetta Trujillo can not seek re-election this year due to term limits, but both candidates for her replacement already work in her office.
Republican clerk candidate Janet Jones is one of the county’s four deputy clerks. Her challenger, Democrat Freda Baca, is the chief deputy clerk.
Baca said she is the only candidate who has helped the clerk carry out elections.
“I have the experience with her of actually running the elections, getting the machines ready, the ballots, getting the supplies ready to take to the various polling places and the election workers,” she said.
If elected, Jones said, she will have the opportunity to attend the classes her opponent completed. She said she knows what needs to be done in the clerk’s office on a daily basis.
James “Landon” NewtonRichard CordovaSEE COMMISSION On paGE 8
Both candidates for New Mexico’s Third Congressional District say they are encouraged by the response they have received so far and are hitting the pavement to get their supporters to the polls.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., is seeking a third term in Congress. He told The Taos News he is proud of what he has been able to accomplish so far, listing the Abeyta Water Rights Settlement, infrastructure in Taos and investments in renewable energy among the achievements he has helped bring about.
Jefferson Byrd, who was born in Springer and lives outside of Mosquero, North of Tucumcari, said he has never before run for public office but feels more could be done in Congress for Northern New Mexico businesses. He also criticized Luján as being largely inaccessible to his constituents.
Both candidates said they have been traveling throughout the Third District, which comprises Northern New Mexico from San Juan County in the West to Union County in the East and includes Río Arriba, Taos, Colfax, Mora and Los Alamos counties, among others.
Luján, who was visiting with business owners and others in Arroyo Seco Sunday (Oct. 21), said he has been hearing positive comments from voters, though concerns about the economy are pervasive. He said he is committed to continuing to help fund education and job training at UNM-Taos. Luján said the government can continue to work to complement small businesses and agriculture; he said he is a big fan of the Taos County Economic Development Corporation, which works effectively with local producers.
“That’s an economic model,” he said.
Byrd said Luján’s record in terms of helping businesses in his district is weak and that he has failed to fight for jobs while in Congress. He said the Third District needs a strong advocate for the national laboratories, agriculture and the energy industry.
“They’re all suffering,” he said.
Byrd said federal regulations also stifle business.
“I’m somewhat at odds with the EPA in general,” he said.
He said the state Environment Department is often responsible for implementing whatever regulations the Environmental Protection Agency “dreams up” and that he would like state agencies to have more authority.
“They are more answerable to the people,” he said.
Luján has supported efforts in Congress to create the 236,000-acre Río Grande del Norte National Conservation Area, including two new wilderness areas, around the Río Grande Gorge and the 46,000-acre Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Area north of Taos. He spoke to the importance of drawing people to Northern New Mexico and protecting important natural resources.
When asked about the conservation efforts, Byrd said he hasn’t “read into where they’re headed” and would have to examine their potential impacts on the economy and local jobs.
Luján has a distinct fundraising advantage during this election, as is often the case with incumbents. According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records and information from the nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics, Luján’s campaign had raised more than $1 million as of Sept. 30 and spent a little over half of it. His leadership political action committee, Turquoise PAC, had received $26,100 and spent $8,499 by the end of last month. Luján’s major contributors include PACs managed by labor unions and industry associations.
FEC filings show that between July 1 and Sept. 30, several tribal entities, including the Pueblo of Tesuque and the Chickasaw Nation, contributed thousands to Turquoise PAC. During the same period, Luján’s campaign committee raised nearly $200,000, including thousands from tribal entities and PACs managed
by entities including Verizon, AT&T and the American Federation of Teachers.
Records show as of Sept. 30, Byrd had raised about $80,000, including more than $18,000 in loans he made to the campaign, and spent about $57,000 this election cycle.
However, his FEC filings show Byrd may have accepted thousands in illegal contributions from businesses — including his former employer, Texas-based Environeering, Inc. When asked earlier this month about the $1,000 contribution from Environeering, Byrd described it to The Taos News as an “individual contribution from the business.”
However, Congressional campaigns are precluded from accepting corporate donations. The Federal Election Campaign Act does not allow corporations or labor unions to donate directly to federal campaigns; they must form separate political committees. Partnerships and limited liability companies may donate to Congressional candidates, but only if their contributions are attributed to a partner. In cases of donations from partnerships and LLCs, Byrd’s FEC filings do not appear to follow the law.
Byrd said he is “traveling all over” the district and establishing a presence on television and radio.
“Things are going well,” he said. “It looks very promising.”
Luján said his polling and fundraising numbers are encouraging, but he is focusing on making sure his supporters vote.
“The numbers seem to be positive,” he said. “It’s only as good as the turnout on Election Day.”
For more information about Luján’s campaign, visit www.benrlujan.com. For more information about Byrd, visit www.jeffbyrd2012.com. n
U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich will challenge his predecessor, former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, for a seat in the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 6 general election.
The following information was provided by the candidates in response to surveys distributed by The Taos News.
Martin heinrich DeMocrat
• Address — Albuquerque• Education — Bachelor
of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri
• Occupation — U.S. Congressman Representing the First Congressional District of New Mexico
• Have you been convicted of a felony? — No
• Are your property taxes paid up to date? — Yes
• Have you run in any previous elections? If so, what was the outcome? — I was elected to the Albuquerque City Council in 2003, serving as president in 2006. In 2008, I was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to serve the people of the First Congressional District of New Mexico. Fueled by grassroots support from across central New Mexico, I won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.
• What experiences would make you an effective U.S. Senator? — Whether it’s fighting against the Ryan budget to protect Medicare, rolling back the Bush tax cuts, or calling for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I’ve always stood up for what’s right for our country and the people of New Mexico.
As one of only a handful of members of Congress with a background in science and technology, I bring a unique perspective as we seek to create good, sustainable jobs in growing industries like clean energy. I return home almost every week to meet with my constituents, holding job fairs to connect New Mexicans with jobs and helping people cut through government red tape to receive veterans benefits, Social Security, and Medicare benefits.
Serving my second term on the House Armed Services Committee, I’ve had the honor to play an important role in decisions affecting Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories, both of which are located in New Mexico’s First Congressional District. As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I’ve had extensive experience working to sustainably manage our public lands and developing the country’s clean energy resources, both prominent assets to our state.
Prior to Congress, I served on the Albuquerque City Council where I led the fight to raise the minimum wage and helped make Albuquerque a leader in energy and water conservation. I also served as the State of New Mexico’s Natural Resources Trustee, working to improve and protect the state’s natural environment.
• Why are you running for this office? — The fact is, a lot of middle class families in New Mexico are struggling to get by as costs continue to rise and the deck seems stacked against them. It doesn’t take long in Washington to see that things there just aren’t working. Big corporations and special interests seem to get all of the breaks while regular New Mexico families are left holding the bill. New Mexico families deserve better. I would be proud to represent you in the U.S. Senate. I hope you’ll join me on this journey to provide everyone in this state with a prosperous future worthy of our efforts and our values.
— The Taos News
heather wilsonrepuBlican
• Address — Albuquerque• Education — Master’s
and doctoral degrees in international relations from Oxford University in England, 1985, Bachelor or Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1982.
• Occupation — Air Force officer, small business owner; Secretary of New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department; congresswoman.
Newcomer challenges incumbent for U.S. rep seat
Heather WilsonMartin Heinrich
Seasoned U.S. reps compete for senateJefferson ByrdBen Ray Luján
The current Judicial District 8 judge for Division 3, Republican Andria Cooper will compete with Democrat Jeff McElroy for her seat in the Nov. 6 election. District 8 includes Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Cimarron and Red River.
AndriA CooperrepubliCAn
When Judge Andria Cooper was teaching law classes at Fort Hays University in Kansas, it was relatively easy for her to give her younger brother a failing grade.
“I warned him that I had some pretty stringent deadlines,” Cooper said. “That’s the way we were raised: You either earn it or you don’t.”
And since taking the bench July 1 as Gov. Susana Martínez’ appointee to the vacant judgeship in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Cooper says she has been earning the respect of the public one case at a time.
“My experience on the bench is something that my opponent doesn’t have,” Cooper said. “But it’s not just about that, it’s about having a judicial temperament.”
It’s no secret that Cooper is a Republican deep in Democrat country. This November, Cooper is hoping Taoseños as well as her constituents in Colfax and Union Counties will think of her track record rather than stand on party lines when casting their votes. Some already have waved off Cooper’s registered party in sporting her campaign bumper stickers, which read, “Democrats for Andria Cooper.”
“When I go door to door, people are expressing a willingness to be open,” Cooper said. “What I hear people tell me is, ‘You’re real.’”
But Cooper has a history of operating from multiple perspectives that lend to her “judicial temperament.”
Born in Alamogordo and the daughter of two geologists-turned-teachers, Cooper spent much of her youth in Kansas, moving out on her own at the age of 16. Cooper credits her parents with raising her with a simple belief that has governed her own moral compass.
“I was always told that I wasn’t better than anyone else,” Cooper said. “I’ve always been very self-sufficient.”
It was Cooper’s own brush as a victim of crime that first turned her attention from genetics research to the law. She graduated from law school in Kansas, where she quickly found her place in criminal law working as a prosecutor while also teaching law at the graduate and undergraduate level.
After about six years of working as a prosecutor and professor, Cooper said she then became curious about defense work.
“I started to wonder if I could defend the people accused of similar crimes to the ones I was prosecuting,” Cooper said. “I think, too, it came out of playing devil’s advocate with my students in the justice studies department.”
The experiment dovetailed nicely with her family’s ambition to get back to the mountains of New Mexico, and Cooper accepted work with the Taos Public Defenders Office. The experience, Cooper said, opened her eyes in a way that is a credit to her work on the bench. Her perspective from working on both sides of the law, she says, affects the way she sees things from the bench.
“When I take the bench, my aim is to be sure that I’m giving both sides an opportunity to be heard,” Cooper said. “Before I go on the bench, I’ve read case files, pleadings and I have my notes and questions ready. I like to be very thorough. I also want to reach out to Colfax and Union Counties, because I’m just as interested in their issues.”
As the sitting Division III judge, Cooper has also taken over the responsibility of presiding over juvenile drug court — which she hopes to refine if elected.
“If there’s going to be a juvenile drug court, it needs to be designed and geared more toward juveniles,” Cooper said. “There need to be more incentives to stick with the program so that we’re not only paying attention to them when they’ve messed up.”
Regardless of how the election turns out, Cooper knows she can be proud of her time on the bench.
“People don’t remember how quickly you did something, they remember how well you did it,” Cooper said. “It’s important to me to get it right.”
— By Chandra Johnson, The Taos News
Jeff MCelroydeMoCrAt
To Jeff McElroy, former deputy district attorney and Cooper’s democratic challenger, the race for the judgeship isn’t about party politics, it’s about experience.
“I respect Judge Cooper,” McElroy said. “But I don’t believe she has the experience I have, and I think that’s why the Taos County Bar Association supports me.”
As a seasoned prosecutor, McElroy has worked hundreds of cases since he began work at the Eighth Judicial District Attorney’s Office in 2002.
Before that, McElroy worked as both a civil attorney in private practice in California, while also devoting his time as a grant writer for several non-profit cause groups that ranged from AIDS services to environmental activism.
All the while, McElroy says his heart was in New Mexico.
Born in Ohio, McElroy first fell in love with Northern New Mexico at age 15 as a Boy Scout staying at Philmont Ranch near Cimarrón.
“I climbed up Baldy Peak and I looked down and said, ‘Oh my god, I have to live here,’” McElroy recalled. “It got into my blood and became who I was. This was always kind of home.”
McElroy returned as often as he could to New Mexico until he eventually attended college at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, followed by a degree from UNM Law School. All seven years of school, McElroy returned to Philmont for summer work.
Upon graduation, McElroy worked a variety of jobs, including with Tony Anaya, before working for the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office in Santa Fe and as a grant writer and fundraiser for New Mexico AIDS services.
In the late 1980s, McElroy moved to Los Angeles where he became the developmental director for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, while also working as an attorney in private practice.
“I ended up staying for 14 years,” McElroy said. “I learned a lot about fundraising and non-profits.”
During his time in
California, McElroy and his partner adopted a son, Raul. By the time their son was five, McElroy’s partner had died, leaving McElroy a single parent. After working for more non-profits in L.A., McElroy began to think about moving back to New Mexico.
“I was tired of cause work,” McElroy said. “We took a ski vacation here in 2002 and Donald [Gallegos] offered me a job.”
Working for the Eighth Judicial District Attorney’s Office was an adjustment, McElroy said.
“I went from making six figures in California to $45,000 a year here,” McElroy said. “But I loved that work. I found out I liked the social justice stuff. As a prosecutor, I was able to work cases in a way that helped people, whether they were victims or defendants.”
The tradeoff has always been important, McElroy said, especially when his job became challenging to juggle after the June primary.
McElroy took administrative leave in April to campaign, he said, with the intention of coming back to work regardless of the outcome in June.
“June 11, Donald and I met and said he thought I was likely to be elected judge,” McElroy said.
Gallegos’ concerns varied from McElroy being excused from cases he’d worked on should he win to appearing in front of his opponent in the courtroom.
“Donald asked me not to come back and I was placed on paid administrative leave,” McElroy said.
Between vacation time used and the administrative leave McElroy was granted until the end of August when his leave ended, McElroy made a base of just over
$27,000. The mortgage modification on his Valle Escondido home that was in foreclosure proceedings also came through at the end of August.
“I was upside down on the taxes and payments, not unlike 8.5 million other Americans,” McElroy said. “I was the single parent of a teenage son.”
During his tenure in Gallegos’ office, McElroy said, he was also able to put his fundraising skills to work at the DA’s office, eventually finding a $250,000 grant that helped to create the victim’s advocacy position.
McElroy also became heavily involved with adult drug court — a type of program he hopes to expand from the bench, introducing better treatment monitoring along with additional courts such as sobriety and mental health courts.
If elected, McElroy said, he also hopes to move cases along faster.
“It’s the judge’s responsibility to move those along, and I think we’ve had too many years with a lack of leadership in moving cases,” McElroy said. “As a prosecutor, I have experience struggling with the had questions and the fact that I have that experience is important.”
Whether or not he wins the election in November, McElroy will continue with his work in the community with organizations like Tri-County Community Services and the Nonviolence Works mentorship program.
“I’ve raised a child in this community and I’ve worked to build resources in this community,” McElroy said. “I was fair as a prosecutor, I’ll be fair as a judge.” n
— By Chandra Johnson, The Taos News
Ex-deputy district attorney hopes to unseat judge
Jeff McElroyAndria Cooper
I respectfully ask for your vote on November 6thThank You
ELECT James “Landon” Newton
Colfax County Commissioner
Republican Candidate for
District 3
Manage County Funds and Resources Wisely
Continue Support of the County Airport in Angel Fire
Provide Quality Service to all residents of the County
For adoption, a constitutional amendment requires ratification by a majority of those voting on the constitutional amendment. Proposed constitutional amendments become effective upon approval by the voters unless an effective date is provided within the text of the proposed amendment.
The following provides a statement of each proposed amendment with a brief analysis and a summary of arguments for and against the amendment. Summaries prepared by the League of Women Voters of New Mexico have been reviewed for accuracy by the Legislative Council Service.
Amendment 1Proposing an amendment
to Article 6, Section 32 of the Constitution of New Mexico to provide for two additional members to sit on the judicial standards commission, a municipal judge and a public member.
Constitutional Amendment 1 would amend Article 6, Section 32 of the New Mexico Constitution and increase the membership of the Commission from 11 to 13 by adding two commissioner positions. One new commissioner would be a municipal judge, selected in a manner set by the Legislature to serve a four-year term. The second would be a citizen who is neither a judge nor an attorney, appointed by the Governor to serve a five-year term.
Arguments ForMunicipal judges represent
the largest category of judges
in the state, and yet there is no dedicated slot for a municipal judge on the commission. Adding a municipal judge to the commission provides equal representation on the oversight body that monitors their job performance.
It is unfair for complaints regarding a municipal judge’s job performance to be resolved solely by people who lack the current, firsthand experiences and views of a municipal judge. Thus, adding a municipal judge as a member of the Commission increases fairness.
Adding a municipal judge and a citizen member would retain the current balance of power on the Commission. This change would ensure that views of municipal judges would be heard along with those of the other judges, attorneys, and citizen members. This is especially important when a municipal judge is the subject of a complaint alleging misconduct.
Arguments AgainstAdding two more members
to the Commission, for a total of 13, would make its work unnecessarily difficult. It is always challenging to reach consensus when more people are involved in a process. All disciplinary recommendations of the Commission require a majority consensus. It is not in the best interests of the citizenry to slow down the judicial oversight process.
A Constitutional Amendment is unnecessary because such changes could be accomplished by amending current law through the Legislature instead of permanently changing the Constitution. A bill requiring that
a municipal judge be a member of the Commission could be passed by the Legislature.
Adding more members to the Judicial Standards Commission would increase the costs to the taxpayer for funding the Commission’s work. Members of the Commission are entitled to per diem and mileage reimbursement.
Amendment 2Proposing an amendment
to Article 11, Section 1 of the Constitution of New Mexico to increase the qualifications for Public Regulation Commissioners.
Constitutional Amendment 2 would amend Article 11, Section 1 of the New Mexico Constitution to require the Legislature to enact a statute increasing the qualifications of Public Regulation Commission (“PRC”) commissioners. Currently, PRC commissioners are only required to be at least 18 years of age, not convicted felons, and registered to vote in New Mexico. The increased qualifications would apply starting with commissioners elected at the 2014 general election, as well as any commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy after July 1, 2013.
Arguments ForThe New Mexico PRC has a
broader jurisdiction than any other regulatory agency in the country and makes decisions that impact the daily lives of all of New Mexico’s citizens, ranging from setting utility rates to regulating motor carrier safety and prices. Increasing the qualifications for commissioners would help make sure that they have a basic understanding of the complex
industries they regulate.Because PRC commissioners are
expected to act much like judges, making their decisions by applying the relevant law to the evidence on the record, it is critical that commissioners understand the law and the specifics of the subject areas they regulate. Too often, and at too high a cost, the New Mexico Supreme Court has overruled PRC decisions because commissioners have not understood the law.
Many other states already require their utility commissioners to have educational or professional experience in a field relevant to utility regulation, such as accounting, finance, engineering, public or business administration, administrative law, or economics.
Arguments AgainstThe amendment leaves it up
to the Legislature to establish the specific qualifications for PRC commissioners, meaning that voters would not know exactly what those qualifications would be before they vote on the amendment.
Depending on what qualifications are enacted into law, some citizens may not be qualified to run for the office of PRC commissioner, even though they would be qualified to run for other elected positions in state and local government.
It is unclear whether the Legislature is actually committed to enacting serious, substantive qualifications that are rigorous enough to ensure that PRC commissioners are truly qualified to do the job.
General obligation bonds allow the state to borrow money to finance capital improvement projects. The principal and interest on the bonds are paid out of property taxes. The specific amount of property taxes collected in a given year is attributable to a number of factors, including the amount of debt service required for existing general obligation bonds, the projected debt service required for the new bond issue, the latest assessed valuation of net taxable property, cash balances in bond debt service accounts, the date of issuance, and the actual interest rate obtained on the bond sale.
Based on current projections, the State Board of Finance estimates that the three bonds will generate a maximum of $140.2 million at the current State property tax mill levy rate of 1.36 mills. If all three bonds are approved by the voters in November, the average cost to the owner of a property worth $100,000 over a 10-year period will stay at a
flat rate of $8.04 per year. Of that $8.04 average cost per year:
• $6.88 is attributable to the higher education bond
• 59 cents is attributed to the senior facilities bond
• 56 cents is attributed to the library acquisitions bond.
If any of the bonds are not approved, the State property tax mill rate could decline slightly.
The ballots used at the 2012 general election shall contain substantially the following language:
Bond A. Senior Citizen Facilities — $10,335,00 for construction and improvement
The 2012 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act authorizes the issuance and sale of senior citizen facility improvement, construction and equipment acquisition bonds. Shall the state be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed ten million three hundred thirty-five thousand dollars ($10,335,000)
to make capital expenditures for certain senior citizen facility improvement, construction and equipment acquisition projects and provide for a general property tax imposition and levy for the payment of principal of, interest 8 on and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the bonds and the collection of the tax as permitted by law?
Bond B. Academic, Public and Tribal Libraries — $9,830,000 for acquisitions and construction activities
The 2012 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act authorizes the issuance and sale of library acquisition and construction bonds. Shall the state be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed nine million eight hundred thirty thousand dollars ($9,830,000) to make capital expenditures for academic, public school, tribal and public library resource acquisitions and construction and provide for a general property tax imposition and
levy for the payment of principal of, interest on and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the bonds and the collection of the tax as permitted by law?
Bond C. Higher Education — $120,000,000 for capital improvements and acquisitions
The 2012 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act authorizes the issuance and sale of higher education and special schools capital improvement and acquisition bonds. Shall the state be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed one hundred twenty million dollars ($120,000,000) to make capital expenditures for certain higher education and special school capital improvements and acquisitions and provide for a general property tax imposition and levy for the payment of principal of, interest on and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the bonds and the collection of the tax as permitted by law? n
State Constitutional AmendmentsInformation provided by the League of Women Voters
State Bond IssuesInformation provided by the League of Women Voters
11, Section 2 of the Constitution of New Mexico and to enact a new section of Article 11 to remove authority to charter and regulate corporations from the Public Regulation Commission and provide authority to charter corporations to the Secretary of State.
Constitutional Amendment 3 proposes to amend Article 11, Section 2 of the Constitution of New Mexico to remove the responsibility for chartering and regulating corporations from the Public Regulation Commission (“PRC”) and transfer the responsibility for chartering corporations to the Secretary of State’s office.
Arguments ForAccording to the National
Conference of State Legislatures, 41 of the 50 states assign responsibility for chartering corporations to their Secretaries of State. Aligning New Mexico with the overwhelming majority of states would make it easier for businesses, particularly those that are new to New Mexico, to know where to file their documents.
Transferring the responsibility for corporate filings to the Secretary of State would create a “one-stop shop” for all businesses filings. Currently, the Secretary of State registers some businesses, like Limited Liability Partnerships, while the PRC registers others, like Limited Liability Companies. The Secretary of State also registers state trademarks and service marks and files documents required by the Uniform Commercial Code.
Removing responsibility for chartering businesses would allow the PRC to focus on its core duties of regulating utilities, which are very different from the secretarial duty of filing business documents.
Arguments AgainstThere would be a one-time
cost associated with transferring the PRC’s corporate registration responsibilities to the Secretary of State.
The Legislature has not studied whether the Secretary of State’s office is the ideal state agency in
which to place the responsibility for corporate registration, so that duty should remain with the PRC until the Legislature undertakes such a study.
The corporate registration division has not been the source of most of the scandals or corruption that have plagued the PRC, so moving it would not address those problems.
Amendment 4Proposing to amend Article
11 of the Constitution of New Mexico to remove the regulation of insurance companies and others engaged in risk assumption from the Public Regulation Commission and place it under a Superintendent of Insurance appointed by the Insurance Nominating Committee as provided by law.
Constitutional Amendment 4 proposes to amend Article 11 of the Constitution of New Mexico to remove the responsibility for regulating insurance from the Public Regulation Commission (“PRC”) and create an Office of the Superintendent of Insurance to regulate insurance companies and others engaged in risk-assumption in the state. The amendment would establish an Insurance Nominating Committee to appoint the Superintendent of Insurance based upon qualifications for the position established by the Legislature. The Legislature would also establish how the members of the Insurance Nominating Committee are appointed.
Arguments ForThe insurance industry is
so complex and so important to the lives of New Mexicans that it should be overseen by an independent agency that is solely focused on that task. PRC commissioners lack the specialized expertise to successfully oversee the insurance industry.
Removing insurance regulation from the PRC and placing it within an independent agency would help to insulate it from politics. The political pressure placed on the Insurance Division by the PRC (for example, to hire unqualified staff ) is a major reason why the National Association of Insurance Commissioners placed the division on probation for several years and a 2012 review by the Center for Integrity gave the Division an “F.”
This amendment would align
New Mexico with the 35 other states that have stand-alone departments of insurance.
Arguments AgainstThe amendment leaves it up
to the Legislature to establish the membership of the nominating committee and the qualifications of the Insurance Superintendent, meaning that voters would not know exactly what those will be before they vote on the amendment.
Although the PRC’s Insurance Division has suffered from numerous problems, the PRC has been working to improve it and should be allowed to continue the process.
Having the Superintendent of Insurance appointed by a nominating committee rather than by the PRC means that voters would no longer vote directly for the people who appoint the Superintendent.
Amendment 5Proposing an amendment to
Article 6 of the Constitution of New Mexico to add a new section that provides for the organization of an independent Public Defender Department.
Constitutional Amendment 5 would amend Article 6 of the New Mexico Constitution to establish the Public Defender Department as an independent state agency not under the Governor’s authority. It would create a Public Defender Commission empowered to appoint and provide guidance to the Chief Public Defender and oversee administrative aspects of the Department. The amendment would also allow the Legislature to establish the term, manner of appointment, and qualifications for the Chief Public Defender and members of the Commission.
Arguments ForFunding for the Department
is currently inadequate. An independent Public Defender Department may be better able to secure the resources to properly perform its constitutional mandate of protecting the rights of people accused of crimes who cannot afford attorneys. Funding the defense of alleged criminals is often politically unpopular, particularly with officials seeking re-election. Many other states have independent public defender departments that can lobby more effectively for necessary funding
removed from the political process.Having an independent
Department would ensure compliance with the “Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys.” Because the Chief Public Defender is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor, there is potential for interference with the attorney’s independent judgment, especially when defending a notorious or unpopular alleged criminal. As an independent state agency, the Department would be less susceptible to political influence.
The Governor already sets many policies of the criminal justice system by appointments to various departments and through the executive’s legislative initiatives and priorities. The Governor currently appoints the Chief Public Defender and oversees the Public Defender Department, giving the executive branch too much power in determining the policies and practices of the criminal justice system. Having an independent department would offer a clear way to balance this power.
Arguments AgainstMaking the Public Defender
Department an independent state agency and requiring the creation of a Public Defender Commission to oversee it could be costly to taxpayers. The current per diem rate is $95, and voters have no way of knowing how many members would be on the Commission nor how many days of work-related travel and expenses the state would incur for those members.
This amendment creates yet another level of unnecessary bureaucracy. The proposed Commission would not actually assist in representing indigent defendants or performing core functions. It would add a superfluous layer of management, requiring consultation on and oversight of decisions better left to a qualified Chief Public Defender. A Commission would cause unnecessary delays in the Department’s operations.
Concerns about undue political influence in representing indigent defendants are effectively addressed by the rules of professional conduct that prohibit attorneys from permitting a non-client, including the Governor, to influence their judgment in rendering legal services to a client. Changing the Department’s executive agency status to avoid political pressure is unnecessary. n
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“I have more overall and diverse work experience than my opponent,” Jones said, adding that she holds a degree in criminal justice and has been working for 24 years. “We both have about the same amount of time in the clerk’s office.”
Freda BacaBaca said she has never before
run for election, but she has worked for the clerk’s office since 2006 and was appointed chief deputy clerk in 2007. She said she is seeking the
clerk’s position only to continue serving the residents of Colfax County.
She is one of two certified voting machine technicians in Colfax County, she said. She attended New Mexico Edge County College through New Mexico State University and received certificates that designate her as a Certified Public Official, Certified Public Supervisor and Certified County Clerk, she said.
Baca graduated from Raton High School in 1976 and is a lifelong resident of Colfax County, she said.
“I have enjoyed serving the community, Colfax County, for the last six years, and I respectfully ask for their vote so that I may continue in that position,” she said.
Janet JonesJones said she has been a deputy
clerk for four years and has also worked as a juvenile detention officer, police dispatcher, family practice billing clerk and batterer interventionist for Alternatives to Violence.
“My entire working career has involved positions of public service,” she said.
During her time with the clerk’s office, Jones said, she gained knowledge about the elections process and about searching, recording and filming documents.
“I am confident that after four years with the clerk’s office, I will be able to easily step into the position of county clerk,” she said.
Jones said the clerk’s office operates
smoothly for the most part, but one of her goals is to protect some of the old newspapers at the county building to preserve the county’s history.
“If there is a way, and you choose to elect me, I will find it,” she said.
The second in her class, Jones earned her criminal-justice degree from Trinidad State Junior College, she said. She also earned several continuing education certificates before she went to work for the clerk’s office, she said.
She was born in Mississippi, grew up in Morrison, Colo. and moved to Raton in the early 1970s, she said. She is a member of Raton’s Calvary Baptist Church, she said, where she serves as the youth director and sings in the choir. n
duties,” he said. “The county must manage its resources wisely to ensure that it can continue to provide quality and adequate services to its residents and to continue existing and new projects that benefit the county.”
Newton said his four years of experience as a bill analyst for the New Mexico Legislature also set him apart.
“I will use this experience to work closely with our new slate of legislators in Santa Fe,” he said. “This will be critical to obtain a fair share of capital outlay funding for Colfax County.”
District 3 Commissioner Bill Conley can not run for re-election this year due to term limits. His district includes Angel Fire, Eagle Nest and Cimarron.
Richard CordovaCordova said his priorities
as commissioner would be economic development, health care, education and infrastructure. He believes
economic development is the county’s most important need, he said, and improvements in this priority area would benefit the three others.
With the county’s new Economic Development Ordinance as the foundation, he said, he plans to work with Colfax County communities to attract tourists, assist existing businesses and attract new ones.
“I see our communities slowly fading away and our children leaving because we have so little to offer them,” he said. “Our population rate is steadily declining.”
Cordova is an electrician with LP&J Electrical, he said. He is also the mayor of Eagle Nest and served on the village council for 4.5 years, he said.
In addition to his time with the Northeast Regional Planning Organization, he said, he served on the executive board for the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District for two years and is in his second year of service on the New Mexico Municipal League’s board of directors.
Cordova graduated from Cimarron High School in
1978 and has attended the Municipal Officials Leadership Institute, he said.
James “Landon” Newton In addition to fiscal
responsibility, Newton said his priorities as commissioner would be the expansion of the Colfax County Detention Center, expanding and improving the Colfax County Angel Fire Airport, creating new jobs and communicating with constituents.
Through a fiscally conservative approach, he said, he would “work closely with the current county manager and other county departments to make sure that the county is providing effective and efficient service to all its residents including emergency preparedness and management in case of natural disasters such as the Track Fire that occurred near Raton last year.”
Newton said the detention center improvements top the county’s infrastructure capital improvement plan, and planning and budgeting will be key in paying for the work.
“If the county is able to
receive some ICIP funding from the state, it will then have to decide how to pay for the remainder of the project without causing a strain on the county budgets,” he said.
Planned improvements at the Angel Fire airport include a fuel farm and the possibility of additional hangars and upgrades to the small building at the south end of the runway, Newton said.
“As your county commissioner, I will continue to support this project,” he said. “The county already has a large investment in the airport, and it is an important asset to the community.”
Newton said he would review the county’s 2004 Comprehensive Plan to determine how to move the county forward for the next 10 years.
“The county commission should also continue to look for ways to support and work with all the municipalities in the county to create new jobs and prosperity,” he said.
In addition, Newton said he would remain available to all residents in his district and respond to their
questions and concerns “in a timely and professional manner.”
Newton said he has been considering running for office for the last four years, and he decided to seek a seat on the commission because he believes he can best spark change from the local level.
Newton owns and operates Ranchers Supply and Landon Newton Realty in Springer, he said. He was a commercial and agricultural loan officer for several banks in New Mexico and for the Farm Credit System in New Mexico and Colorado for nearly 30 years, he said.
He was also a legislative analyst for the New Mexico House of Representatives for the last four years and is president of the Springer Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Colfax County Ad Hoc Oil and Gas Committee, and second vice-chair of the Colfax County Republican Committee, he said.
Newton graduated from Springer High School in 1974 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from New Mexico State University in 1978, he said. n
If approved in the general election, State Bond Question C would also help create jobs, Salazar said. The question would authorize the issuance and sale of higher education and special schools capital improvement and acquisition bonds of up to $120 million.
“That would be a lot of money for contracts all over the state,” he said. “That would create a lot of jobs immediately in the construction industry.”
Salazar said he sponsored legislation that led to the creation of Northern New Mexico College as well as various scholarships, and college is important to him.
He said he is a strong advocate for seniors and has sponsored a variety of legislation that provides meals and gathering places for seniors.
Salazar said rural health clinics are also a priority for him.
“We have to equip them and fund them so they can provide some health care for their communities,” he said.
Salazar said he decided to run for re-election at the urging of his constituents.
“I was king of looking forward to maybe retiring, but my constituency wouldn’t let me,” he said.
A former thermonuclear researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Salazar now serves on the lab’s board
of governors. He was a Rio Arriba County commissioner from 1964 to 1968 and was president of the National Association of Development Organizations in Washington, D.C. for about two years in the 1980s, he said.
He holds a high school diploma and completed some college work, he said.
Gary MartinezMartinez said his
priorities as a state representative would be education, employment, fewer regulations, water and conservation.
A rancher and educator by trade, he said he is concerned about the quality of the education system in New Mexico. He said he decided to run for office primarily to help the school system.
“I have firsthand experience by seeing the problems within,” he said.
Martinez said the legislature could immediately improve education by requiring the New Mexico Public Education Department to evaluate schools in person and reward them for performing well.
“The best way to improve it right now is to do site visits on school campuses to see if they’re following curriculum, which is a problem I know because I’ve been (in education) 20 years,” he said, adding that the PED currently evaluates schools remotely from the paperwork they submit. “We don’t get site visits anymore. We get desktop reviews.”
Martinez criticized Salazar for imposing excessive regulations on small businesses. He said he believes the legislature has created some regulations only to collect more money.
“I feel small businesses can flourish if regulations can be controlled,” he said.
Martinez said he believes the state can find creative ways to create more jobs, and “creative I feel I am.” He said the state should research water problems and try to correct them, and that conservation efforts would help save money and reduce waste.
Martinez is a director of the Vocational/Trades Department at Luna Community College and has taught in secondary education for 16 years, he said. He has also operated a restaurant and taught small business courses in the school system, he said, and he has worked as a welder, carpenter, heating and air professional and auto mechanic.
He is a member of the Western Mora Soil and Water Conservation Board, served as an FFA advisor and has been a member and president of the Farm Bureau Board, he said.
“As you can see, my background has been in areas of need within District 40,” he said.
Martinez said he holds a degree in education from Highlands University and has studied agriculture at New Mexico State University. He is enrolled in a leadership program at NMHU, he said. n
• Have you ever been convicted of a felony? — No
• Are your property taxes paid up to date? — Yes
• Have you run in any previous elections? If so, what was the outcome? — 1998-2006, elected to New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District; 2008, lost in Primary for the U.S. Senate.
• What experiences would make you an effective U.S. Senator? — I started out my professional life in the Air Force. I’ve started and run a small business, raised three
children, been New Mexico Cabinet Secretary for Children, Youth and Families, worked on the National Security Council Staff at the White House and served for 10 years in the Congress.
• Why are you running for this office? — I am running for the U.S. Senate because I am concerned about our country. The current administration’s policies have taken us down the wrong path, and we’ve got to change direction — to end the reckless debt and unsustainable spending that is killing jobs and mortgaging our children’s future. n
— The Taos News
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HOUSEPolling Places
Polling in Colfax County will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at the following locations:
• Precinct 1A — Eagle Nest Community Center• Precinct 1B — Angel Fire Community Center• Precinct 2 — Cimarron Village Hall• Precinct 3 — Cimarron Village Hall• Precinct 4 — Luna Community College in
Springer• Precinct 5 — Springer High School• Precinct 7 — Maxwell school auditorium• Precincts 10-22 — St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Hall
in Raton• Precincts 10-22 — Raton Convention Center• Absent precinct — Colfax County Clerk’s Office
in Raton
For more information on statewide elections, visit www.santafenewmexican.com/election/
