***image2***SFR's Picks for the Nov. 2 general election.
If after reading our endorsements for the Nov. 2 election you are left with the impression that we have a predilection for wonks, you ain't wrong. As a general rule, we prefer candidates who have in-depth knowledge of the issues their races encompass, who take half an hour to answer a question, who at least try to eschew platitudes and empty rhetoric. (We'll also take a wonk over a religious fanatic any day, but that's another story).
You won't, however, find a recommendation to vote "straight party" Democrat as argued for by The Santa Fe New Mexican. Here's why:
This election season has been informing on many levels. It's shown, again, the tipping point between cultural and ideological issues. It's helped define and educate the public on key domestic and international concerns. Perhaps most importantly, it's highlighted both the value of and threat to the underpinnings of what most of us value in this country: freedom of expression, open debate, the right to think about things in new and sometimes controversial ways. A call for mindless partisanship is an understandable reaction to the liberal losses of the last four years (and if someone comes up with a way to combine Bush Bashing with high-level cardio, they'll have a great new exercise class). But it's not a solution. Thousands of new-mostly young-voters registered this year and chose to remain unaffiliated to any political party. This is a clear sign that politics has the potential to be more than what it has become. Albert Einstein once said that "the problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them." With this in mind*, SFR's endorsements of this year's contested general election races are a selection of candidates from all three political parties who have the potential to serve northern New Mexico with skill and temerity. We also asked the local candidates to share with us why they believe people should vote, as well as their own personal political heroes. You also will find endorsements for the
bond and constitutional amendments
on this year's ballot. Finally, SFR's endorsement in the
. If you're one of those undecided voters-this one's for you.
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*Just to be clear, the reference to Einstein is not intended to imply that SFR believes its political endorsees can solve the world's problems. Nor is it meant to compare our political endorsements to the scientific work done by Einstein.
SANTA FE COUNTY
Santa Fe County Commission, District 5
SFR Pick: Jack Sullivan, Democrat
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County government has come a long way in the past few years, and Commissioner Jack Sullivan deserves some credit. Yes, there's plenty left to do on everything from water-planning to jail-running to health services. In Sullivan, voters have both an exhaustively informed commissioner, as well as one whose ultimate goal is to preserve the resources and quality of life in the area.
He was instrumental in getting the county and city together on its water agreement, has worked to open the county detox center, pushed for proof of water by developers at the master plan stage. Sullivan's combination of wonkishness with community concern serves his constituency well. His willingness to answer a question thoroughly, even if the listener won't like the answer, is desperately needed at the local government level. If re-elected, he's prioritized revision of the county code and working on the new water plans. Although we generally like to say a few words about all the candidates in the race, we unfortunately cannot tell the voter much about Green challenger Herman Montoya, as we were unable to woo him into our office for an endorsement interview.
Why People Should Vote:
"If they want a say on how taxes are used, how the environment is used and what their quality of life is like, they should vote. If they want to leave all of that to politicians, they should stay home. I'm not willing to do that."
Political Hero:
"I've always been a fan of John Kennedy. He was such a charismatic leader and defined qualities of leadership. You can bring your ideas out and respond to your constituents. But at some point, you have to say to yourself, 'Am I leading?'"
Santa Fe County Surveyor
SFR Pick: Robert Dean Williamson, Green
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This was a tough one. No, seriously. We were impressed
with both Williamson and incumbent Allen Grace. They both have seemingly endless knowledge about surveying.* They are both committed to their profession, with almost weirdly intense convictions about its importance and integrity. And, they ran a clean race. No surveying mudslinging here. Each believes the other is qualified and was unafraid to say so.
Now, we really don't understand the value of a partisan election for the position of county surveyor (Santa Fe is the only county that does this). There are not ostensible ideological differences in the field of surveying. But since it is a partisan election, we decided to go partisan and endorse the Green candidate. Here's why: First, Greens have oft been criticized for running unwinnable races that throw important seats to Republicans. This is a nice local race that a Green should be able to win. Second, Williamson has taken the race seriously and campaigned with vigor. Third, with his background in teaching surveying at the community college, he can provide, and has vowed to do so, instruction to better inform everyone about plot lines and other surveying information.
Why People Should Vote:
"I think people should be informed and vote because that's how we try to make this a democracy."
Political Hero:
"Thomas Jefferson. He was the father of our country in a lot of ways…including surveying."
*Seemingly as in "as far as we could tell." To be candid, it would be easy to perpetrate to us misinformation about surveying.
STATE LEGISLATURE
State Senate District 25
SFR Pick: John Grubesic, Democrat
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Lawyer John Grubesic's win in the June primary reflects, probably, a variety of factors: the changing demographics of this Santa Fe district; disenchantment with the former incumbent, Roman Maes; the improved odds for a newcomer in a multi-candidate race. Whatever the case, that was then, this is now. In the now, Grubesic's fledgling incumbency (he was appointed to fill the seat by the Santa Fe County Commission after Maes resigned), is lookin' good.
He's a self-described fiscal conservative/social liberal, which means he's on the record ready to fight tax cuts the state can't afford, while at the same time ready to back legislation to abolish the death penalty and legalize civil unions. He supports women's rights unequivocally. If appointed to the Conservation Committee, as he hopes, Grubesic's commitment to the water-resource issues of the area will serve his constituents well. His belief that the Legislature should afford the State Engineer's Office more authority over water allocation has the potential to help depoliticize local development issues. Having served, for the past few months, on the interim Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Committee, Grubesic has jumped headfirst into understanding the complexity of government budgeting, and hopes to continue his freshman education by requesting an appointment to the Finance Committee (hey-it could happen). Finally, he already has begun work-in conjunction with local affordable-housing advocates-on creating a bill to promote affordable housing through tax incentives and other measures. Though Republican challenger Robert Mallin raises important concerns about services for the elderly and our medical system, he hardly seems a formidable enough challenge to a candidate with all the makings of the boldly independent thinking the district needs.
Why People Should Vote:
"It's your chance to have a say in how our country is run. If you don't vote, you don't have a right to complain. Democracy doesn't work unless people exercise their right to make their voices heard."
Political Hero:
"Crazy Horse. He was a completely independent, unselfish individual whose main concern was the good of his people."
State House of Representatives District 47
SFR Pick: Peter Wirth, Democrat
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Like John Grubesic, Peter Wirth got the opportunity to jump in a little early after winning a contested Democratic primary back in June. Keep him there. He's the right kind of representative for the Santa Fe area, with a strong commitment to water conservation and other environmental issues. He's already shown a high level of responsiveness by addressing community concerns about the fate of the Center for Contemporary Arts, and is working to help resolve that issue. He's enthusiastically plunged into committee work on the Water and Natural Resources Committee. He's clearly committed to fighting for progressive health-care reform in the state, as well as for the preservation of arts education.
Some have said Wirth inherited this seat from Max Coll when he decided to resign. That's probably a stretch, but Wirth did inherit a general election contest from Republican Gregg Bemis. We can't help admire Bemis for his continued attempts to win over voters in the most liberal district in the state. He makes some good points. The most compelling is this: Despite Democratic rule in New Mexico politics, the state remains at the top of the list for poverty, at the bottom for education. Wirth can't be held responsible for the entire Democratic legacy of the last 60 years, but he-and Grubesic-should keep it in mind as they begin their political careers, and look for real solutions-even if it means bucking entrenched party leadership.
Why People Should Vote:
"It's not just a right, it's a duty. In a society such as ours, and in a democracy, that part is a critical piece of being a citizen. I think it's the most important."
Political Hero:
"My uncle, Tim Wirth, who was a senator from Colorado. I grew up watching his commitment to public service for the right reasons."
The following positions are uncontested in the general election. All the candidates are Democrats.
Santa Fe County Commission, District 2
Virginia Vigil
Santa Fe County Commission, District 4
Paul Campos
Santa Fe County Clerk
Valerie L Espinoza
Santa Fe County Treasurer
Victor Montoya
State Representative, District 45
Jim Trujillo
State Representative, District 46
Ben Lujan
State Representative, District 48
Luciano "Lucky" Varela
State Representative, District 50
Rhonda S King
State Senate, District 24
Nancy Rodriguez
District Attorney, District 1
Henry R Valdez
PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION
District 3
SFR Pick: John Gonzales, Republican
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A former governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo, Gonzales brings years of commitment to a wide variety of issues. He served five terms on his pueblo's council. He was the president of the National Congress of American Indians, chairman of the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, and a consultant for the US Department of the Interior. He has a master's degree in city planning. He was the director of the Santa Fe Economic Development Corporation. He knows the third district and has that rare commitment to both its rural and urban residents. Yes, he's a Republican. Yes, US Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) stands behind him. But Gonzales doesn't sound like a yes man. He's outspoken in his opposition to oil drilling in the Arctic and Otero Mesa. He is committed to seeing that constituents' needs are given the same weight as corporations. For an agency that regulates telcom, electric, transportation and more, this is gravely important.
There is no incumbent in this race. Gonzales faces off with Ben Ray Lujan, the Democrat who won the June primary. Lujan has the backing of his father, powerful House Speaker Ben Lujan. Some say the only reason Lujan Jr. won the primary was his father's clout, name recognition and the governor's support. Those people probably have a
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point, but that is neither here nor there. We can't really tell you much about Lujan Jr.'s views right now, because he never showed up for his general election endorsement interview.* When we interviewed him for the primary, we felt he was significantly less knowledgeable than opponent Bob Perls, whom we did endorse. Whether Lujan won the primary because of his connections isn't our call. Right now, all we know is that Gonzales has more experience, more education and would bring a fresh, unique perspective to a body desperately in need of it.
Why People Should Vote:
"It's a right so many people have fought for. It would almost border on being irresponsible not to vote because of the sacrifices our forefathers and foremothers made."
Political Hero:
"Miguel Trujillo, a pueblo Indian, part Isleta and part Laguna. When he tried to vote in the '50s or so, he was denied the right. He took the state to court and he won the right to vote for all Native Americans in the state of New Mexico."
*Which is not the reason we're not endorsing him. True, it's an inconvenience when a candidate doesn't show up or call and, some might argue, a bit rude, but we're not expecting people to vote based on the fact that we were inconvenienced. And, Juan Rios, the city's former spokesman who is running Lujan's campaign did, at least, sound apologetic when we called him. Although he never called us back to explain either.
JUDGES AND BONDS AND AMENDMENTS...OH MY
JUDICIAL RACES
Two judges stand for retention in this year's election. They are
Richard C Bosson
as Justice of the Supreme Court and
Roderick T Kennedy
as a Judge on the New Mexico Court of Appeals. Under the New Mexico Constitution, each must receive at least a 57 percent vote for retention. Kennedy received a favorable review from the independent New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. Bosson was not eligible for review because he has only served since 2002 and JPEC only reviews judges who have served for at least two years.
SFR previously endorsed both candidates and recommends
YES
on their retentions.
In these partisan races, we endorse the incumbent judges, both of whom were unanimously appointed by the judicial nominating commission to fill vacancies.
Justice of The Supreme Court
SFR Pick: Edward L Chavez, Democrat
Judge of the Court of Appeals
SFR Pick: Michael E Vigil, Democrat
STATE BONDS
General Obligation Bond Questions: If all are approved it will cost property owners about $1.70 per $100,000 of assessed property value.
Bond A:
About $6 million for senior citizen facilities.
SFR Pick: Yes
Bond B:
This is the big $94 million higher education package, which will provide capital improvements to colleges and universities statewide.
SFR Pick: Yes
Bond C: This bond consists of more than $16 million for library acquisitions statewide, including about $1 million in Santa Fe.
SFR Pick: Yes
Bond D:
This will generate approximately $5 million for classrooms for that full-day kindergarten we like so much.
SFR Pick: Yes
Santa Fe County GO Bonds
If all are approved, the County estimates the property tax cost would be 86 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
Road Question:
$20 million
Water:
$51 million (yes, that includes that Buckman Project)
Fire:
$1.5 million
SFR Picks: Yes, Yes, Yes
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
CA 3:
Would allow cities with at least 20,000 people to have runoff elections if they wanted. This would eliminate marginal wins in crowded races and spread a little more democratic cheer, in our opinion.
SFR Pick: Yes
CA 4:
Amends property tax exemption for veterans so that all veterans who were honorably discharged are eligible, not just ones who served. Hey, would you vote against veterans right now?
SFR Pick: Yes
CA 5:
Changes the name of the New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped to the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. We hate to advocate against the school (which is located in Alamogordo, in case you were wondering), but the arguments against this measure are more compelling: potential expense, the alleged venerability of the constitution, the fact that the school changed its name in 1960. Etc. Etc.
SFR Pick: No
US CONGRESS
US House of Representatives District 3
SFR Pick: Tom Udall, Democrat
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There probably aren't many citizens left who see the world through so-called rose-colored glasses these days (and if there are, we ask them to share whatever it is they're smoking). But in Santa Fe, there is a certain kind of Santa Fe-colored view of the world-an almost aggressively liberal stance on issues like civil liberties, health care, women's rights. Tom Udall, the state's former Attorney General, has never wavered in defense of progressive politics. Of course, many politicians are good at preaching to the choir. After all, the centrist Bill Richardson we know as governor seemed a lot different when he represented District 3. But Udall has proven that his liberal commitment extends far beyond staying electable. More: By voting against The Patriot Act during a climate of extreme pressure to support anything with the word "patriot" in it, Udall showed the kind of political integrity that's in sadly short supply these days. Udall remains one of
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the most accessible politicians around, meeting with constituents regularly, providing information to the public on issues he cares about, such as prescription drug costs and veterans' issues. He remains staunchly committed to environmental causes, helping to pass legislation such as the Ojito Wilderness Act to protect New Mexico's resources.
OK, sometimes we have Santa Fe vision too. The third district is diverse. Maybe Rio Rancho constituents have different needs. Republican challenger and San Juan County DA Greg Tucker certainly provides a different perspective (although he's far from the radical right representation Bill Redmond brought to the seat years ago). Although this doesn't seem like a very competitive race, both Udall and Tucker have taken the contest seriously and debated the issues. On everything from health care to the situation in Iraq, Udall brings a decidedly more palatable viewpoint. He's already proven he's willing to stand up in the worst of times to make those views known. If re-elected, we can only hope he'll get the opportunity to represent the district in a new political climate.
Why People Should Vote:
"Some people think elections are about politicians. They're not, they're about you and what you want for your family and your community. There's an old Spanish dichos:
Su voto es su voz
-your vote is your voice. If you don't vote your voice won't be heard."
Political Hero:
"I admired and respected Robert F Kennedy. He was a great example of a dedicated, principled public servant. He stood up against injustice. He fought for the underdog and vulnerable in our society. He displayed courage in the face of adversity. We need more of his kind today."
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
US Presidential Election
SFR Pick: John Kerry, Democrat
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In its recent election issue, The Economist magazine analyzed both John Kerry and George Bush's positions on the areas most informing the 2004 presidential election. These issues included: the economy, healthcare, education, civil liberties, social security, the environment and foreign policy. The magazine concludes that while there are clear differences between the candidates' platforms and plans, those differences are not different
enough
to account for the polarized tenor of this election.
Of course, the sum of these differences is quite greater than its parts. Kerry has committed to rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest citizens. This money will be used, he says, in part to address the unacceptably high number of Americans without healthcare. On the education front, Kerry has committed to funding The No Child Left Behind Act at an appropriate level, something the Bush administration has failed to do. Regarding civil liberties, Kerry has certainly made clear his cognizance and abhorrence of the Bush administration's penchant for Orwellian tactics. At bare minimum, John Ashcroft and Donald Rumsfeld will have to get new jobs (maybe FOX News will have some openings). Regarding social security and other entitlements, again, the attitude is quite different, although the reality-millions of ageing Baby Boomers-will make it hard for any president to finance a wholly win-win solution. As far as the environment, Kerry presents notably better options and gave a rousing call for innovation and renewable energy sources during a
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recent speech in Santa Fe. Bush's White House has been repeatedly outed for ignoring science in favor of industry, for searching for ways to undo decades of federal environmental protection, for eschewing independence from the oil industry despite the economic and environmental benefits doing so would bring. As for foreign policy, Kerry expresses a decidedly greater commitment toward multilateralism than Bush has demonstrated. How executable will this be? In all likelihood, the extent to which the US can extricate itself from unilateral decision-making in pending trade agreements and other negotiations will have to be taken on a case-by-case basis. But the intent, at least, on Kerry's part is to undo the new isolationism perpetrated by the current administration.
What these differences add up to are starkly opposing values. They add up to starkly opposing directions for the future of this country.
These are differences whose seeds were sewn with blood decades ago. The legacy of the 1960s, with its radical fights over civil rights, over war, over moral values, has ebbed and flowed over the years. Corporate power grew, the Internet was born, and political discourse in the mainstream was subsumed by more money than most of us will make in a lifetime.
And then, on September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked New York and Washington. It was said, then, that nothing would ever be the same. The country was unified in its support for one another. Other countries wept for the thousands of lives lost here.
And then everything did change.
Bush's response in Afghanistan and Iraq alienated numerous allies abroad. At home, discriminatory acts against Muslims began to emerge. Civil liberties were curtailed. The insidious threat of terrorism became more palpable. Beheadings, torture and death pervaded the news. And, at home, the fear and hatred grew.
These are not new emotions in America. They will always emerge when certain values are threatened. The left's victories in the 1960s laid the foundation for today's neo-conservative movement, just as the powerful insurgence of the radical right now has bolstered the left into aggressive, much needed, coalitions.
We believe John Kerry's election will allow the country to preserve the values many of us equate with our American identity. We want the next president to be one who will not undo women's reproductive freedoms through politically conservative appointments to the Supreme Court. We want a president who will allow the long overdue affording of civil rights to same-sex couples to happen. We want to see stem-cell research progress as a scientific and medical accomplishment, and not have it curtailed due to religious beliefs. The US action in Iraq needs swift re-examination and to be ended as expediently as possible. The poor, both working and otherwise, need concrete assistance to undo the growing economic injustices in this country.
But John Kerry's election will do more than allow liberals everywhere to breathe sighs of relief. The Democratic Party's identity crisis, its often confused attempts to stay the center, appeal to the left, while acknowledging God and Country at regular intervals, may have cost it political gains over the years. It may help explain the proliferation of new Greens, Independents, Libertarians. This growing political diversity is a natural and vital part of our democracy. But right now, today, The Democratic Party casts a wider net than The Republican Party's current manifestation ever can.
We live now in extreme times, but as a poet once said, the center cannot hold. John Kerry provides the best chance to return our national psyche to some level of equilibrium. For all of these reasons, we urge every voter, regardless of party affiliation, to elect him as our next president.
