Monday, May 15, 2006

Flying Blind

Three weeks from tomorrow is the 2006 Primary Election. Does anyone plan to vote is the question. I have been involved in many statewide primary campaigns and this one is totally different. There are no races at the Senate, Governor or Congressional levels and that means interest in this primary is way down. Anything can happen under those circumstances. Like maybe a 25% turnout.

This is nerve wracking to all candidates in the primary cycle. There are in the contested statewide races only about 11 people running. Secretary of State has four candidates. Attorney General has three candidates, Auditor has two candidates, and Land Commissioner has two candidates. There are a few districted state races and of course lots of local races. And I believe those local races are what will drive the turnout. Sheriffs races and county commissioner races will truly offer more interest than the lower statewide constitutional races.

Yesterday the Albuquerque Journal started its coverage of the Primary with profiles of me and my opponent, Ray Powell. I thought the story, by Tania Soussan was very objective and fair.

I was flabbergasted when my opponent said he didn't think we should declare state land conservation areas because it would be a poor use of public funds to hire people to take care of those lands. That sounds like something the bush administration would come up with.

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