I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Some rank and file members of Local 624 may want to endorse Richard Romero for mayor, but AFSCME leaders say the union’s endorsement of incumbent mayor Martin Chavez is solid.
Romero released a statement this morning calling a press conference at which he and members of AFSCME Local 624 will announce that ”…rank-and-file members of the largest city union—over 2500 members—is putting its support behind Richard Romero.”
But AFSCME political coordinator Josh Anderson says it’s “disingenuous” of Romero to announce an endorsement that he specifically sought but did not receive.
…It is disingenuous for Richard Romero to claim he has a union endorsement when he specifically sought, and did not receive, AFSCME’s endorsement. Local 624 played a key role in endorsing Mayor Chavez this Spring, participating in creating the candidate questionnaire, attending the mayoral candidate forum, and voting to endorse the Mayor in AFSCME’s duly-sanctioned PEOPLE (political) committee deliberations.
Anderson also says Local 624 members are acting inappropriately:
The fact that some members of one local have chosen to claim that they speak for the union’s political program, when they are in fact opposing it is inappropriate and disappointing.
Other AFSCME leaders also say the claim by Local 624 members and Romero is wrong, and that the union will work to re-elect incumbent mayor Martin Chavez.
AFSCME Council 18 President Andrew Padilla:
AFSCME has one endorsement process for all of the locals in the city, and we have endorsed Mayor Chavez. We stand fully behind that endorsement and will continue to work for his re-election.
Steve Griego, President of local 624:
We respect the right of our members to voice differing opinions as individuals, but the only official endorsement that has been made is for Martin Chavez.
