Council District 3
Ike Benton will face one of two County Commissioners looking to make the jump to the city body. Councilor Benton will face former City Councilor and County Commissioner Alan Armijo in defense of his District 3 seat.
The district covers most of Downtown, UNM, Nob Hill, and Ridgecrest areas. They're certainly Democrat areas of the city populated by some of the more liberal Democrats. Even though they've been represented by a Republican (Hess Yntema), it'll be interesting to see if the more centrist Armijo can unseat the far left Benton.
Council District 5
Councilor Cadigan is back in again for council after his unsuccessful attempt to qualify for public financing in the mayoral contest. He says he hasn't decided whether or not to go for the free loot courtesy of the taxpayers, but we'd bet the two-term councilor ponies up to the public trough just like every other candidate is being forced to.
Cadigan's entry into the race spells real trouble for the other two candidates who are out stumping - Republican Dan Lewis and Democrat Jeremy Toulouse. Obviously, Toulouse has the most to lose and we wouldn't be surprised if he's out before he gathered his first signature.
Meanwhile, Republican Dan Lewis would benefit from a Toulouse candidacy in District 5. Even though Cadigan - a Democrat - has held the district for two terms, District 5 is considered a Republican seat. Toulouse could pull just enough from his fellow D to put Lewis in office.
Council District 7
Currently held by two-term Republican Sally Mayer, District 7 looks to be another crowded race. Like the race four years ago, the councilor could be facing three challengers. The names of the challengers floating around District 7's political ether are Democrats Lewis Schiffman and David Green, and Republican Michael Cook.
With four candidates evenly split between parties and public financing, incumbent Mayer is the odds on favorite. Even if all four candidates qualify for the $30,000 plus in tax dollars for their campaign, it'll be hard for any of the challengers to overcome Mayer's name ID.
Council District 9
Will he or won't he? That's the $30,000 question. County Commissioner Michael Brasher has been looking at running for several months. He's even gone so far as to take the city's election "training."
The grapevine has it that the commissioner and former councilor will definitely make the run for his old seat. We still aren't sure and our Eyes tell us that it could go either way.
There's little doubt Commissioner Brasher would be a formidable opponent for the twice-elected to one term Don Harris. The problem is that should Brasher decide to sit out the upcoming municipal election, the uncertainty over whether or not he would enter the race may have kept other candidates out.
The races are taking shape. It looks to be an exciting year in local politics made even more interesting by public dissatisfaction with the federal government, and continuing allegations of public corruption involving politicos from the governor's office to the mayor's office. Will this be a year where New Mexico votes for its own change? Only time will tell.
----- Update -----
We received an email from Jeremy Toulouse regarding the re-entry of incumbent Councilor Michael Cadigan into the District 5 race. It's our opinion that Mr. Toulouse has the most to lose since Democrat and incumbent Cadigan will suck up all of the D's oxygen. Of course, no candidate worth their salt would admit otherwise.
How does the saying go? Diversity is the mother of invention. No that's not it, but seriously. While Mr. Cadigan also personally promised me he wasn't running for re-election, I welcome the increased competition. With both the right and the left covered, that leaves a large area in the middle for my candidacy in the non-partisan District 5 race. I have over a decade of experience proving my innovative approach to making government work on the front lines of society and in government, expertise in getting the job done better for less is worth its weight in gold.As Republicans found out the hard way in the 2008 election, anti-Cadigan voters are more likely to gravitate to the candidate that represents the greatest "change." In this case that candidate is Dan Lewis. If we were handicapping this race (and we are 'cause it's fun) we'd say that barring any huge mistake by Cadigan the final numbers would look something like Cadigan 45%, Lewis 30%, and Toulouse 25%. But hey, who really knows?
Jeremy Toulouse
If it can be done better, then good is not enough,
the right experience at the right time!
14 comments:
I am hoping Brasher runs. He has been a leader and consistent over the years in his advocacy for fiscal discipline, lower taxes and prudent spending. We need his wisdom, particularly in the current environment. He truly cares about the impact of the cost of government on the residents of Albuquerque and Bernalillo. He puts them first.
I hope that Brasher enters the race. This would remove Harris' head from the Mayor's ^$*&%*^. I will spend every hour available to unseat Harris.
If you're so "pro-Brasher", stop posting anonymously. Put a name to that endorsement.
I work at the County and would lose my job if I signed my name. Anyone who knows Brasher knows only fruitcakes get behind him.
I like Brasher. I'm not in his district though.
I'm in Brad Winter's. I like him too because he annoys both the Dems and the Repubs. My kind of guy!
Brasher what did he do for the city lasttime? and what has he done for the county? Oh this is New Mexico we shouldn't ask! Sorry, go back to sleep.
Brasher has a cult following, but not a big one.
The anti-Harris, pro-Brasher cult, mostly made up of the same grumpy Four Hills geezers that went after Harris in the recall, may be in for another let down.
What I like about M. BRASHER is his staunch and consistent opposition to increases in rates and taxes, because he hammers it in that government's need for more money is a result of gross inefficency on the part of government's administration and management. (Unless, of course, you think that any of our local governments are models of efficiency and that your money is being well-spent and is there for the taking. Good luck with that one) What we need is more Brasher types to give the City and County the fiscal ***kicking they so badly need. Can't argue with that.
Interesting that the pro-Brasher comments trend towards intelligent arguments on his behalf, while the anti-Brasher contigent resort to name calling.
If you disagree with a candidate that is your right, but please be prepared to defend your decision with something more than a demonstration of your immaturity.
I like Brasher because he votes no on everything. He always loses 4 to 1, but it is better to stand alone on principal than compromise to improve your district.
I think Brasher truly appreciates that people want to keep their money in their own pocket. People are working hard to make ends meet. They don't want to turn it over to government so that some politician can build a monument to himself through a pet project that benefits only a few people at the expense of everyone.
A house cleaning is what Q needs. Harris is so far up Marty it’s gross. Same with Mayer and she really started with a good intentions. Most of her projects have been swallowed up by the midget, so a citizen wouldn’t know what she’s really done. But she’s let Marty do so and still stands by him. She can’t stand on her own. Brasher would be a great change. Cadigan will remain he has the name recognition & nobody strong enough to run against him.
We need to get rid of the Midget Marty. Let us admit every politician starts out with some level of corruption, it’s a given. Marty has done what appears to be a lot of nice things for Q, but at the expense of many. Not just pocketbooks but personal vendetta’s. He steps on anyone, anytime, anywhere to get what he wants including family. The “King Fish” will continue unless citizens get out and back another. We need to quit being sheep, like 1930’s Louisiana, show that Q voters really are educated and no longer support “Huey”.
Brasher loses 4 to 1 and that is the problem. Brasher might want people to keep their own money, but he cannot get the job done. Voting no and being the only member of the minority does not equal more money in our pockets.
Harris actually stopped the streetcar tax. Harris did not grandstand and achieve nothing.
If the streetcar originated with the county, it would be under construction right now. The vote would have been 4 to 1. Then Brasher would claim victory from the jaws of defeat because he stood alone but our taxes still went up.
Vote for Harris because he actually achieves his objectives. The result is more important than the vote. Harris voted NO on taxes and there was NO new taxes.
All the good people already left town.
Have you seen that street car???
It looks like a rolling stucco sample box. It's fuggggly...
I've seen it about 10 times and around 2 people riding it. What a waste! And the cost to ride is ridiculous.
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