Another Dem ready to rumble in gov. race
Just as U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham is racking up endorsements in her effort to build an aura of inevitability in her bid to become governor next year, another Democrat is preparing to announce his candidacy for that job.
State Rep. Joe Cervantes — who has been saying for months he’s going to run for governor — said last week that he’ll make that official Wednesday evening. He will be making that announcement at the state Farm and Ranch Museum in his hometown of Las Cruces.
“Being governor is the biggest opportunity to effect change in New Mexico,” Cervantes said. “I think I can provide effective leadership in bringing change to a state in which the general public continuously recognizes is going in the wrong direction.”
Cervantes, 56, is a lawyer who has been in the state Legislature since 2001. The former Doña Ana County commissioner was first appointed to the House of Representatives following the death of Rep. Delores Wright, D-Chaparral, during the 2001 legislative session. He won election to the seat in 2002 and was re-elected four times. Then in 2012, he ran for and won the open Senate seat that had been held for years by Sen. Cynthia Nava, also a Democrat.
Though it appears that Grisham Lujan is quickly becoming the favorite of the Democratic establishment in the governor’s race, Cervantes, considered a moderate during his years in the Roundhouse, is no stranger to bucking the establishment. As a House member in 2006, he backed then-House Majority Leader Kenny Martinez of Grants in his effort to oust then-Speaker Ben Luján. Cervantes was running to replace Martinez as majority leader. After that effort fell short, Luján replaced Cervantes as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Then in 2010, Cervantes was poised to form a coalition with House Republicans to challenge Luján for the speakership. It seemed as though Cervantes had the votes. But Luján was saved by an unlikely ally. Various state tea party chapters — remember them? — announced they could not support any coalition involving Democrats. Republican House members fell in line, the coalition collapsed, and Luján went on to win another term as speaker.
In addition to Lujan Grisham, other Democrats running for governor include Albuquerque businessman Jeff Apodaca and Peter DeBenedittis, an advocate for the prevention of alcohol abuse.
Did I say establishment favorite? As I mentioned, Lujan Grisham is piling up her endorsements. Last week Attorney General Hector Balderas, who had been considering running for governor, endorsed Lujan Grisham, joining former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman and others.
Last month, in analyzing Lujan Grisham’s campaign contributions, I noted that labor unions, normally a big giver to Democrats, so far have been modest with their contributions to Lujan Grisham. But that could change by the time of the next campaign finance report in October. In recent days, Lujan Grisham has announced endorsements from several unions including the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers; the New Mexico Professional Firefighters Association; the New Mexico Building & Construction Trades Council; the United Steel Workers; and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
The Pearce question: And no, there still are no announced Republicans running for governor. Everyone still seems to be waiting to see whether U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce of Hobbs jumps in. (Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, can’t seek a third consecutive term.)
However, at least three political newcomers on the Democratic side aren’t waiting to see what Pearce decides. Last week David Baake, a 2014 Harvard Law School grad who grew up near Sunland Park (his Facebook page lists El Paso as his hometown), announced he’ll be running. Baake’s been a law clerk in federal courts in Arizona and California.
He joins Madeleine Hildebrandt, a Coast Guard veteran and college history instructor residing in Socorro, and Ronald Fitzherbert of Las Cruces, who works in risk management for a health care clinic, in running for the Democratic nomination in the 2nd Congressional District.