Hector Balderas

The 2010 election is in full swing, and the governor’s race has already degraded into the usual partisan, nasty mess. In contrast, some prominent Republicans have nothing but nice things to say about State Auditor Hector Balderas, a rising star in the Democratic Party who’s up for re-election next year.

The current non-scientific poll question on www.nmpolitics.net asks if voters approve of the job Balderas is doing. In response to the poll, conservative blogger and GOP activist Mario Burgos posted an unsolicited note about Balderas on this reporter’s Facebook page.

“I’ve got to admit I was a pretty vocal critic when Hector was being considered for the position since he lacked an accounting background, but I’ve been impressed with his commitment and performance to date,” Burgos wrote. “I may be partisan, but I’m more than willing to put politics aside when someone is doing a great job. Keep it up Mr. Auditor.”

Asked about the comments from Burgos, House Minority Whip Keith Gardner, R-Roswell, also praised Balderas, who served with Gardner in the House for several years before becoming auditor.

“He’s honest. He tries to do what’s right,” Gardner said. “He’s just a solid guy and so I have a ton of respect for him.”

“I think he’s done a great job in a department that struggles to make ends meet,” Gardner added. “They’re underfunded, understaffed, and yet he finds a way to do his job.”

How popular Balderas is among other Republicans isn’t clear. State GOP spokeswoman Janel Causey didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Burgos has recently been complementary of Balderas on his blog. In one posting, he wrote that Balderas “is leading the fight to get criminals behind bars. He seems to be doing his job well and with little concern whether the elected criminals have an R or D attached to their name.”

In another posting, Burgos highlighted an audit released by Balderas’ office that accused the Mora school district of improperly using tens of thousands of dollars to buy gifts for state legislators and other officials.

Taking on Democrats and Republicans

Balderas, an attorney who has been state auditor since 2007, has clashed with Democratic Attorney General Gary King, saying the AG may be illegally using a subpoena for documents as a way to find out what Balderas has discovered in the course of investigations involving King, the AG’s office or other agencies with which King has a conflict.

Balderas also called the state’s affordable housing system a “colossal failure” after his office released a long-awaited report that found that, because of corruption, ineptitude, mismanagement or other factors, several state housing agencies were running amok with public money and there were inadequate controls in place to stop it. Sounding that alarm put him at odds with some high-ranking Democratic officials, but his concerns were eventually backed up when a former Democratic state lawmaker and others were indicted in the scandal.

Balderas hasn’t only taken on Democrats. His office is in the middle of auditing the office of Republican Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons. Auditors are considering whether there has been any wrongdoing in the land office’s dealings related to state trust land.

Most recently, Balderas has been in the news for publicly calling out all state agencies that have refused to submit annual audits that are required by law. He has asked for a new state law that gives him the authority to do something about those rogue government agencies.

In a statement released by his office, Balderas said he’s thankful for the words of Burgos and Gardner.

“In the past three years as state auditor, I have worked hard to expand the duties of the State Auditor’s Office and have aggressively protected taxpayers against governmental fraud, waste and abuse,” he said. “I believe that this important work is above partisan politics, and I appreciate the support of many Republicans, including Mr. Burgos and Rep. Gardner.”

Will Balderas have a GOP challenger?

Balderas has yet to draw a challenge from a Republican or anyone else in next year’s election. Gardner said if Republicans can find a qualified candidate to run against Balderas, that would be “a great thing” because the GOP needs more statewide elected officials.

“But I don’t think it’s something where we should be falling all over ourselves, because Hector is a fiscal conservative; he’s done a great job,” Gardner added. “It’s not something where I would personally say I need to go and recruit someone to run against him.”

Burgos sounded lukewarm about a GOP challenge to Balderas.

“The Democratic process relies on people challenging incumbents for them to continue to be held accountable,” he said. “If someone thinks they can do a better job, I think they should run.”

“Of course, they’ll have to explain why they can do a better job,” he said. “It’s not like the GOP has a lot of people sitting, waiting to run for this. As I recall, the last time someone switched parties to run on the R ticket.”

That’s right. Balderas’ Republican opponent in the 2006 election was Lorenzo Garcia, who ran for state treasurer in 1994 as a member of the Green Party.

Here’s a sampling:

• Ched Macquigg comments on why he thinks the Bernalillo County Commission “might ignore the will of the people” in deciding who will replace Berry. This blogger discusses how political party affiliation is causing debate over the filling of Berry’s legislative seat.

• Democracy for New Mexico posts a blog regarding Democrat — and AFSCME political director — Josh Anderson’s desire to fill this newly-vacant position. The Bernalillo County Commission may be voting on this issue as early as tonight.

On to other topics:

• Jim Baca discusses what he sees as irony regarding dynamics in the state Legislature – particularly that conservatives still seem to be calling the shots in the Senate.

• Marjorie of M-Pyre (and the Independent) blogs about a recent article from Forbes that says markets aren’t everything. Her read on the article: “Isn’t this another way of saying that capitalism has to be mitigated through the government or other social(ist) formations?”

• Last, Mario Burgos explains why “political promises never last” in the context of the current debate over health-care reform.

NMI’s Danielle Bauer is the brain behind this posting.

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• Capital Report New Mexico has an interesting piece about a Wall Street Journal attack on PNM and other companies who are bailing from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the climate change divide. While the Journal recently attacked PNM and other such companies because they stand to profit from their position on climate change, Capital Report says, “PNM CEO Jeff Sterba really believes this stuff. He’s kind of Al Goresq, speaking passionately and somewhat annoyingly at several annual meetings.” “He’s wrong, of course,” the posting states. “But that’s another story.”

• On to Mario Burgos, who wants you to know that a recent commentary by state Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, is an attempt a “killing two birds with one stone” — the “evil rich people” and “making the case for a tax increase.”

Of course, Burgos argues that Egolf is wrong.

• Sticking with budgetary issues, Democracy for New Mexico has an interesting guest post today from middle-school teacher Scot Key, who is attending a Friday “march/rally/protest/gathering/bitchfest/media event” in Santa Fe in opposition to cuts in public school funding. He’s urging others to attend too. Or maybe not.

“Teachers, just come to the shindig on Friday. Or don’t. No big deal either way. Just remember your non-attendance the next time you watch ‘Animal House’, and see/hear Otter make that ‘Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America’ speech,” Key writes.

“Mr. Berry, you need to stop this to regain the respect of a lot of people who were looking to you as an alternative,” Baca writes.

Meanwhile, Mario Burgos has a posting pointing out that the other mayoral candidates have Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez playing defense. Burgos calls the mayor “practically the poster child for politics as usual” and calls him out for attempting “to rewrite history” on a couple of hot topics in the race.

But enough about that. Some of us don’t live in Albuquerque. On to another interesting topic…

America’s wilderness act turns 45 this month, and Democracy for New Mexico has a post recognizing that. Which seems a good time for me to ask the question: What ever happened to the push to create wilderness areas in Doña Ana County, which currently has none?

Meanwhile, Mario Burgos reviews economic problems and potential solutions in a post titled “Government has two options.” He discusses the dynamic between less spending and higher taxes.  And, as you could have guessed, he supports the former.

Scot Key frowns on the outdated nature of the Albuquerque Public Schools’ various Web sites. Though the Internet can be used as a great tool to communicate and post information, many APS middle school sites are downright embarrassing.

And lastly, Democracy for New Mexico tells all about the campaign kickoff event for Brian Colon’s run for lieutenant governor. Get all of the sights and sounds of the event, which was attended by more than 500 people.

NMI’s Danielle Bauer really wrote this posting.

Meanwhile, Mario Burgos frowns on the way the “$3 billion Cash for Clunkers fiasco has panned out.” He then moves his criticism from that program  to health care, suggesting that these plans merely continue to help the same big businesses “who have already gone to Congress with one hand out and the other in our back pocket.”

Then, former Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca asks, “What is going on with Albuquerque City Government finances?” He points out that mayoral candidates are starting to address the issue during forums. After Baca was criticized for his moves in office by incumbent Mayor Martin Chavez, he fires back.

And more criticism: Albuquerque educator Scot Key reviews the first few days of the APS school year. He covers new approaches to tracking testing scores, the APS Web site, overpacked elective classes and what’s on the menu.

Last, Johnny Mango of Duke City Fix discusses City Councilor Rey Garduño’s part in “The Crosswalk Wars of Nob Hill.” As one of the busiest streets in the state for automobiles and pedestrians, he believes we need to add more crosswalks to the area in order to make the area more efficient and safer.

NMI’s Danielle Bauer pretty much wrote this posting. No, actually, she just flat-out wrote it. I just edited it.

On to horrible blog news — La Political New Mexico reports on one of the bloodiest weekends in Ciudad Juarez after 43 people were executed between Friday and Monday. One incident at a local bar left eight people dead after gunmen entered the establishment and began shooting victims at random. The 066 (emergency) number was called, but no one responded.

Next, Steve Terrell writes about the health care forum hosted by Rep. Ben Ray Luján in Santa Fe last night. He sums up the situation as “fairy sedate” and includes links to a couple of his stories in The Santa Fe New Mexican and a fact-checking Web site regarding health care reform funds and projections.

The right-of-center Mario Burgos posts a rather long blog giving reasons why he’s “really not feeling a lot of confidence in the proposed health insurance solutions.” He gives his personal commentary on “government-run” health programs.

It is important to note that his blog was inspired by an article from the ABQ Journal, which has recently come under fire for allegations of biased journalism.

Last, Cocoposts writes on “Impact Fees, ‘Sprall,’ and a Snootful of PGS.” She weighs in on half-built neighborhoods, taxes and growth management. She really has it all in this blog, which is why it’s worth a read.

NMI’s Danielle Bauer essentially wrote this posting. Why is my byline on it, you ask? Good question.

Next up, a brief announcement from the SFReeper: Former Santa Fe City Manger Asenath Kepler will run for mayor, challenging the city’s current mayor, David Coss.

Meanwhile, Cocoposts remembers former Albuquerque Mayor Louis Saavedra upon news of his passing, disputing claims that he was “reclusive and secretive.”  And she writes this about him: “The desire to name a legacy upon his death misses the point that the best leaders can’t honestly take sole credit for most of the best things.”

From New Mexico Liberty, Jim Scarantino writes about “Pelosi’s National Speech Code.” See why one comment on the posting reads, “in other words, if you can’t be supportive, sit down and shut up.”  Feel free to draw your own conclusions.

Last, Mario Burgos responds to my blog’s poll about the job Mary Herrera is doing as secretary of state. He offers some critical views against Herrera, political corruption and state spending.

NMI’s most excellent intern, Danielle Bauer, wrote this posting in its entirety. I can’t take any credit.

One interesting aspect is the reaction on the blogs of the two nonprofits. First is the response on Clearly New Mexico, which is run by the parent organization of New Mexico Youth Organized. All that was posted on that site was the news release the group also sent to the media. More interesting was what SouthWest Organizing Project put on its blog.

“The Attorney General, essentially, believes we were not entitled to talk about elected officials, at all, during the year, and his only legal reasoning was that what we did with the mailers ‘quacked like a duck,’” the blog posting states. “The result has been a year in which non-profits throughout the state have been unsure about what they can and can’t say about elected officials. In short, our environment has been fraught with uncertainty when it comes to our ability to speak publicly — which is exactly what the first amendment to the United States Constitution is supposed to prevent.”

“… We don’t know about you, but we believe in this country we are entitled to speak as much as we want about elected officials without having to register with the state, with a few narrow exceptions that as a non-profit we have always adhered to,” the blog states. “For this reason, we are very happy about Judge Herrera’s decision and look forward to continuing our educational work out in the community.”

Onward. Also out in the blogosphere today, Cocoposts remarks on Rio Rancho growth as the city’s mayor looks forward to the construction of a new hospital. Cocoposts believes Rio Rancho’s concept of growth is ‘anti-city’ and only promotes urban sprawl.

On the education front, Scot Key comments on the recent release of the Standards Based Assessment stats for New Mexico schools, responding to the numbers and their implications. He also gets into how some of the numbers are a little shady.

Mario Burgos, on the other hand, sees no reason to look on the bright side and deems the stats “Another Year of Dismal Education Results.” He uses the numbers to take another shot at Gov. Bill Richardson’s winning of the America’s Greatest Education Governor Award.

Last, Jim Scarantino of New Mexico Liberty asks his readers to keep their eyes peeled for upcoming town hall meetings regarding health care legislation. Scarantino thinks U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich is not doing enough to bring this issue to his constituents.

NMI’s Danielle Bauer contributed to this report.

Baca writes, “The Forest Service has made sport out of hassling these folks by bringing in law enforcement personnel from all over the country,” while Cocoposts states, “Rest assured that young men with guns in overpowered SUVs are protecting you with near maniacal fervor from people who talk about peace and sleep in the woods.”

Meanwhile, Carter Bundy writes today on my blog that ex-state Rep. Robert Aragon, a member of the state Democratic Party’s central committee, should be removed from that committee because of his support for a Republican congressional candidate.

And blogger Mario Burgos says stricter firearm laws will do nothing to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. He believes criminals, who already have little or no respect for the law, will merely break new gun laws. So, he says, only law-abiding citizens trying to protect themselves will pay the price under new gun-control laws.

Last, Democracy for New Mexico asks today why New Mexico’s members of Congress won’t openly support the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

NMI’s Danielle Bauer pretty much wrote this posting.