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Nota Bene IV.II.MMXIX

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Nota Bene IV.II.MMXIX

I. Udall Succession. The New Mexico Politico with the most succinct political timing is Congressman Ben Ray Lujan. The Democrat from Nambe is the first to commit.

Democratic insiders are likely cutting deals to avoid the bitter primary that usually proceeds the opening of a U.S. Senate seat in New Mexico but there’s got to be a few three-named party rank and files NOT ok with a bloodless primary (that chisme can be found elsewhere.) Seniority in the U.S. Senate matters, especially for a state heavily reliant on Federal dollars. Are party ‘patróns’ postulating BRL will likely be the only Democrat that can emulate that kind of seniority for New Mexico on day one?

II. Lujan vacating CD3 for a Senate bid has opened a chute gate stampede of aspirational Members of Congress from El Norte. This Democratic primary will likely be a pugilist exercise of tenacity and fundraising capability for the blue team’s leading farm league egos looking to move on up. Andrew Oxford confirming the first few hopeful ‘replacements’ yesterday on Twitter.

If NM CD3 is one of the safest blue seats in Congress why wouldn’t party activists be looking to replace Ben Ray Lujan with a progressive’s progressive? Could there be a Roundhouse Rapier coming that will make this primary even more contentious?

Democrats aren’t the only one’s throwing their figurative hat’s in the ring this week; Former Libertarian Commissioner of Public Lands candidate and Northern New Mexico Rancher Michael Lucero threw his Stetson in on his campaign’s Facebook page on Monday stating “I have made the preliminary decision to run for New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District.”

III. New Mexico has reason to #behempful. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the bipartisan supported Hemp Manufacturing Act HB581 into law on Monday with Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte, Tribal and Hemp industry representatives, activists beside her. You can read the legislation here. New Mexico Hemp cultivation and production will diversify our economy by creating opportunities for farmers, manufacturers and retailers statewide. Here is a KRQE piece on the legislation. Hemp is both legal to consume and produce in New Mexico and the USA for the first time in 76 years.

IV. Overlooked Headlines from Last Week: Governor Lujan-Grisham seeks NM Game and Fish resignations. The seven person body included Democrats and Republicans appointed by the previous Martinez administration. The current Game and Fish Board of Commissioners website is void of any member names or bios, see here. Seems appointments must be rolling out soon then? Speaking of Game and Fish, April 1st means its time to update those game and fish licenses too.

V. “It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.” Jordan Peele’s classic reboot is now streaming on CBS All Access.

The new iterations of iconic shows like Star Trek and Twilight Zone make that nominal monthly subscription bearable.

Written by
ahdiaz
An 11th generation New Mexican, Aaron Henry Diaz is a proud descendant of Mesilla Valley founding families. Diaz's experience in politics includes grassroots organization, strategy, research and media relations. He also has a background in broadcast radio production and hosting of syndicated, prime time programs for the news talk format in all major New Mexico markets. He is completing a bachelors in Political Science and History from Texas Tech University. Diaz and his brothers operate a business with interests in the sustainability and roofing industries.