New Mexico Association of Counties June Conference

After our trip in the rugged desert between Las Cruces and Mexico I attended the New Mexico Association of Counties June Conference. The majority of the conference was at The New Mexico State University Campus. I really enjoyed attending the conference and spent the days introducing myself or greeting old friends from all the 33 counties across the state. I reminded everyone I was running for Lieutenant Governor in 2010 and lined up pledges from over 20 different counties for local support, fund raisers, and campaign organizers. It really boosted my spirits and filled my palm device with all kinds of new contacts and supporters.

I visited with several pecan farmers and spoke to them about water issues. One of the owners of a huge pecan farm told me a story about how he met with Governor Richardson and discussed the importance of water rights for agriculture. He told me that he relayed this message to Governor Richardson "you can take our wifes and kids, don't touch our water". He said this with a smile but lying underneath was a serious message as those in the agriculture business fear the loss of a tradition handed down from generation to generation. I must say I was in envy of the man as we sat under the shade of a large pecan tree at the center of hundreds of acres of pecan trees. I know it is not an easy life but a man can't help but want to own such beautiful acreage and know that you are living off the land and helping to feed a country.

Several candidates with races much sooner than mine were in attendance at the joint sessions of the conference as well as representatives from several candidates. Present at the conference were 2cd Congressional District Candidate Harry Teague, 3rd Congressional District Candidate Ben Ray Lujan, Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, Hector Balderas, and Senate Pro Tem Tim Jennings. Representatives were on hand from Senate Candidate Tom Udall, Senate Candidate Steve Pearce, and Senator Jeff Bingaman. Even though he was not present Association of Counties President Mike Anaya called for a Standing Ovation for retiring Senator Pete Dominici and the crowd gave a enthusiastic standing ovation.

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish gave an excellent speech in which she discussed gas and water issues and thanked the County Clerks in attendance for the excellent job they did in the recent June Primary Election. I hope she remembers the great job county clerks did when we look at the next democratic presidential caucus in four years. I am very much in favor of putting the caucus or a primary election back into the hands or our county clerks who have the knowledge and resources to do it right. Diane joked that she is looking forward to the next 60 day session of the legislature in January. The joke part came when she added " I am not looking forward to the upcoming special session". The crowd laughed in unison at her comment. As you all may know Governor Richardson is calling a special session to deal with health care issues. Members of the legislature have balked at the special session with many of them feeling that a compromise has not yet been reached between the Governors proposals and the Legislatures plans.

A photo I took with my cell phone of Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish addressing the crowd.

Richardson in the last regular session tried to convince the legislature that the 400,000 New Mexicans without health insurance must have it by 2010. Legislators balked at the costs and complexity of his plan. Diane Denish as Lieutenant Governor oversees the Senate Side of the legislature and the Senate seems so be the most resistant to the plan. Lieutenant Governor Denish seems to be having the same reaction to the special session that most legislators seem to have, they are not looking forward to it.

Hector Balderas spoke about the auditors office, He described himself to the crowd as the least known bald politician. I have seen Hector at a lot of public events and political events lately so I guess he is trying to do away with being little known through out the state. He is up for re-election in 2010 and there has even been rumors of him running for another office instead of re-election to the auditors office.

I spent four days in Las Cruces attending the convention during the day and meeting with the Sheriff's Affiliate in meetings that are among the most informative that I have each year. I spent the off hours while in Las Cruces meeting the locals and spending time with county employees and elected officials from through out the state. It was a great four days in which I came back with information that was invaluable to our local sheriff's office as well as myself.