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.
Senate candidate Martin Heinrich has received two endorsements from major labor groups in recent days. So far, he’s the only top-tier Democratic candidate in the race and the endorsements may stop other top-tier candidates from entering the race.
Last week, Heinrich received the endorsement of the New Mexico International Brotherhood of Teamsters. And on Thursday morning he received another endorsement from organized labor, this time from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME.
“Our members are middle class, hard-working New Mexicans. Martin is one of us, and he has gone to bat for regular working people both here in New Mexico and across the country,” said AFSCME’s New Mexico PEOPLE Chair Patty French in an e-mailed statement. “That’s why our members on our political committee voted unanimously to do everything we can to ensure that Martin wins the Democratic nomination for Senate.”
“Heinrich will continue to push for more jobs in our state,” said Walter Maestas, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local Union 492 in Albuquerque, in a statement. “He has been firmly committed to working families and 100 percent behind the issues that are important to us. We will work to get as many voters as possible to choose his name on the ballot in 2012.”
Heinrich is hoping to replace U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., who announced he would not seek a sixth term in office when his current term expires in 2012.
State Auditor Hector Balderas will make a decision about whether or not to run for Senate by the end of the month. Former Bingaman state director and current USDA Rural Development state director Terry Brunner is also reportedly considering a run at the Senate seat.
On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, businessman Greg Sowards and columnist Bill English have announced that they will run for the seat. Lt. Gov. John Sanchez and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce are also reportedly considering runs at the open Senate seat.
Labor has been a hot-button issue throughout the country thanks to a flashpoint in Wisconsin where the legislature passed a law that ended collective bargaining for public sector unions.
