Sunday, March 19, 2006
An Army National Guard major hoping to become New Mexico's next top lawyer and a former state land commissioner who wants his old job back were among the big winners Saturday at the Republican and Democratic preprimary conventions in Albuquerque.
Hundreds of activists from both parties packed into their separate gatherings to hear a raft of speeches, nominate their candidates for the June 6 primary elections and decide on the order in which the candidates' names would appear on the ballots.
Maj. Jim Bibb of Santa Fe, a chopper pilot and former assistant U.S. attorney now running for state attorney general, won votes from 86 percent of the voting delegates at the Republican gathering at the Albuquerque Marriott. His Republican opponent Bob Schwartz, former Bernalillo County district attorney and state crime adviser, got 14 percent of the vote.
"We did very well. I'm humbled by their show of support for us," a happy Bibb said after the afternoon vote.
Former land commissioner Ray Powell, meanwhile, captured almost 75 percent of the delegate votes at the Democrats' gathering at Highland High School. Jim Baca, former land commissioner and former Albuquerque mayor, got slightly more than 25 percent of the vote.
Geno Zamora got the most Democratic votes among attorney general candidates, edging out second-place finisher Lemuel Martinez and Gary King.
Saturday's preprimary conventions were as different as the parties themselves.
The Democrats filled the auditorium at Highland High with raucous cheers, carloads of campaign literature and a high-decibel opening speech by Gov. Bill Richardson.
"Are we gonna win in 2006? Is there gonna be a Democratic sweep? ... Are you gonna re-elect me by the biggest margin in history?" Richardson asked the crowd of more than 1,500, getting a roar of approval in reply to each of his questions.
Richardson left the gathering to catch a jet to New Hampshire, where he is campaigning for local politicians there.
The Republicans, meanwhile, had a sit-down dinner of chicken, rice and chocolate cake while their candidates gave speeches. Many of the speeches were greeted with standing ovations and banner waving by each candidate's supporters.
"Today, we ask for your vote. We ask for your prayers. ... We'll be here for New Mexico," Republican gubernatorial candidate J.R. Damron promised the crowd when he and Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, the GOP's candidate for lieutenant governor, took to the stage.
The voting for the candidates running unopposed in the primary elections- like Damron and Richardson- was a necessary technicality.
For those with opposition, garnering at least 20 percent of the votes automatically gave them a place on the ballot. And the candidates with the most delegate votes will have their names placed at the top of the ballot order on June 6.
Candidates who didn't get at least 20 percent of the vote Saturday were Schwartz and Democratic secretary of state candidate Letitia Montoya. They could still appear on their respective party's ballots if they have gathered- or can gather- a designated number of additional petition signatures and submit them by March 29.
Schwartz needs 1,882 signatures, and Montoya needs 2,957.
After Saturday's vote, Schwartz said he may have already gathered the required number of petition signatures. He said he believes most of the Republican delegates saw his work for Richardson as "a betrayal to the party."
"Crime is not a partisan issue. That's the way I've always seen it," Schwartz said.
Here are other results from Saturday's preprimary conventions:
U.S. Senate
Democratic delegates endorsed incumbent Sen. Jeff Bingaman. Republican candidate Allen McCulloch received 40 percent of the vote, followed by David Pfeffer (32 percent) and state Sen. Joe Carraro (28 percent).
U.S. House, District 1
Republicans endorsed incumbent Rep. Heather Wilson. Democrats endorsed their only candidate, Attorney General Patricia Madrid.
U.S. House, District 2
Republicans endorsed incumbent Rep. Steve Pearce. Democrats endorsed their only candidate, Albert Kissling.
U.S. House District 3
Democrats endorsed incumbent Rep. Tom Udall. Republicans endorsed Ron Dolin, the only challenger.
Lieutenant Governor
Democrats endorsed incumbent Diane Denish. Republicans endorsed Beffort, their only challenger.
Secretary of State
Republicans endorsed Vickie Perea, their sole candidate.
Democratic candidate Mary Herrera received 34 percent of the vote, followed by Stephanie Gonzales (33 percent), Shirley Hooper (21 percent) and Montoya (11 percent).
State Auditor
Democratic candidate Jeff Armijo received 70 percent of the vote, followed by Thomas R. Buckner (30 percent). Republicans endorsed Daniel Alvarez, their only candidate.
State Treasurer
Republicans endorsed Demesia Padilla. Democrats endorsed James B. Lewis. They are the only candidates from each party.
Land Commissioner
Republicans endorsed incumbent Patrick Lyons.
By Jeff Jones
Journal Politics Writer