Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales failed to get enough signatures to qualify him for the Republican Party primary race for U.S. Senate. A spokesman for the New Mexico Secretary of State said Gonzales—a former Democrat—submitted 875 signatures but needed 2,351 to qualify. Nella Domenici, the daughter of long-time senator Pete Domenici and the other […]
Politics & Elections
County’s Dem party headquarters moves to Corrales
The Democratic Party of Sandoval County has settled into Corrales. The party moved its headquarters from Rio Rancho to office space they say is three times as big at the beginning of the year. The office is on the second floor of Territorial Plaza, an office park just south of the recreation center, located at […]
County Commission Chairman Deposed in Gerrymandering Lawsuit
Sandoval County Commission Chairman David Heil was scheduled to give a deposition Jan. 29 in a case alleging that the Commission approved gerrymandered boundaries to give Republican candidates an advantage. The lawsuit was brought by the Democratic Party of Sandoval County, Democratic elected officials, a voter and two pueblos: Jemez and San Felipe. The plaintiffs […]
Candidate Filing Day: New Mexico Republicans vie to challenge Heinrich and flip redrawn US House districts
By Morgan Lee, Associated Press | SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Republican contenders filed petitions Tuesday to appear on New Mexico’s June 4 primary ballot in hopes of challenging incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and reclaiming a congressional swing seat along the U.S. border with Mexico. Businesswoman Nella Domenici, daughter of longtime U.S. Sen. […]
Political conflict simmers after failed attempt to oust commissioner
The conflict between members of an extreme right-wing group who regularly speak at Sandoval County Commission meetings and Democrats is still simmering following a failed effort to oust Commissioner Katherine Bruch, D-Placitas, by the group’s leader last month. A message attributed to the Democratic Party of Sandoval County posted on its website Dec. 31 addressed […]
Lawmakers will Again Push for More Tribal Control Over How Indigenous Children are Educated
A proposal to create a trust fund that would give tribes in New Mexico more money and control to run their own education programs is back for the 2024 legislative session. Supporters are optimistic about their chances this year after last year’s unsuccessful attempt to include it in the state budget. There are reasons for […]
Former Dem. Sheriff Manny Gonzales to challenge Heinrich as a Republican
Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales announced Wednesday morning that he will be challenging Senator Martin Heinrich in the race for Senate this year. Gonzales, who was previously registered as a Democrat, switched his party registration on Dec. 15. He is now running as a Republican. It is the second time he has run for […]
New ABQ Congressional district draws 2 GOP challengers to Stansbury
Will New Mexico’s redrawn Congressional districts present better odds for Republicans to execute a surprise pickup seat? At least two Republicans who previously lost races in the old districts are betting that they can oust incumbent Representative Melanie Stansbury in the state’s new Democratic-favored 1st Congressional District. Steve Jones, a 77-year old Army veteran and […]
Commission Sets 2024 Legislative Priorities
Matters relating to addressing mental and behavioral health made up four of the top five issues listed as legislative priorities for the 2024 session by the Sandoval County Commission in November of last year. While County Manager Wayne Johnson told commissioners the 16 priorities were listed in no particular order, Commissioner Jay Block said it […]
Fire Station and Emergency Services on List of Bernalillo Legislative Priorities
New Mexico may be in the midst of an oil and gas boom that leaves the state flush with money heading into the upcoming legislative session. But, says Bernalillo Mayor Jack Torres, “That boom doesn’t come to us.” Not directly, anyway. The Town may benefit from where some of that money is invested, like public […]