Readers share political opinions in time for fundamental

Clark is the one devoted. honest. Principled. These phrases describe the Katharine Clark i know, the Katharine Clark I’ve worked with. There’s no enhanced candidate when it comes to deciding on our next Santa Fe County clerk. As latest county clerk, Geraldine Salazar said when she recommended Clark to be triumphant her, “Katharine has strong moral instincts.” I’m confident Clark will work to be sure that our elections are clear and reasonable, and that she’ll work to boost entry to the ballot. she can combat in opposition t misinformation that suppresses the vote. There is not any doubt Clark will proceed to protect our elections. simply as Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (former Bernalillo County clerk) endorses Clark, as Los Alamos County clerk, I guide her to aid preserve elections secure in New Mexico. A complicated advert The article on the contemporary anti-Valerie Plame ad via “darkish money” group Alliance to fight Extremism, is confusing (“Candidates criticize ‘darkish funds’ spending on behalf of Leger Fernandez,” may 25). It sustained the premise that Teresa Leger Fernandez became the handiest candidate who would benefit from this repulsive ad. I needed to watch this advert to peer if there was direct assist for Leger Fernandez, as your article didn't make that clear. This ad doesn't aid one candidate. To my recollection initially of this race, the only candidate pushing the incorrect Plame-as-anti-Semite line turned into Marco Serna. Yet your article did not point this out. So, who merits from decrying the desirable two women candidates? Job done; somebody’s smiling. capable for prime time New Mexico attracts amazing candidates for elected positions, just because it has for the third Congressional District’s simple election. If this had been a state condo seat, it could be complex to come to a decision. Being “liked” and loving New Mexico would be enough. no longer so for Congress. Valerie Plame is the best candidate certified at this stage. Valerie has held her own on CNN, MSNBC, POTUS radio and even FOX information; she has articulated complex positions on a national stage. She has countrywide plans, defensive of regional hobbies, on fitness care, the economic climate, the atmosphere, immigration and girls’s care. It helps that this candidate epitomizes the self-discipline of a CIA agent, wholly prepared to reside â€" or die â€" for her nation. No other candidate has her depth of national safety journey. no longer even close. The best candidate ready for the countrywide/foreign area, with the passion to fight for brand new Mexico, is Plame. For the americans Joseph Sanchez has the management advantage, training, professionalism, values and integrity to represent us well in Congress. he'll make certain that the voice of his ingredients is heard and will best support high-quality alternate. As state representative, Sanchez served as vice chairman of the condo Appropriations and Finance Committee, assisting boost our state’s multibillion dollar price range. He was instrumental in acquiring the funding to open the Pathways Homeless safeguard in Española. Even amid the COVID-19 crisis, he has continued his efforts with organizing fundraising activities for the meals Depot and Roadrunner meals banks. And with relevant masks and gloves, he delivered care packages to those in need. He didn’t spend his crusade time soliciting massive company contributions, he spent his time with his individuals. Please assist him with your vote June 2. A fresh viewpoint Joe Maestas would make a contribution a sparkling viewpoint on the public legislation commission. he is a former mayor of Española, a former Santa Fe metropolis councilor, supporter of ranked-choice balloting, an engineer interested in the significance of community photo voltaic construction and an skilled team player whose diverse history also indicates aim thinking. Maestas’ opponent, Brian Harris, has been endorsed via many politicians, including the governor and two sitting commissioners. I locate it inappropriate for the governor to get into the business of making endorsements, and i think PRC commissioners should still be elected, not appointed. Maestas concurs. That’s one of the most exact explanation why I’m vote casting for Joe Maestas for PRC. Harris is the one My household is casting our votes for Brian Harris for the general public legislation commission. He’s the handiest candidate with the qualifications and background to repair the PRC. We want someone with actual abilities in issues relating to our precious land in New Mexico. this is no longer the spot for an expert baby-kisser like Joe Maestas â€" the stakes are too essential, with clean power jobs and carbon discount on the line. i hope you're going to be a part of our family unit in vote casting for Harris! Years of event Lucinda Marker has years of journey as knowledgeable investment adviser, and she or he would be a fine alternative for the subsequent Santa Fe County treasurer. i am a former Santa Fe County commissioner, and that i agree with that Marker is uniquely qualified in these elaborate instances to protect the county’s fiscal belongings totaling about $320 million. With world climate trade and the current disastrous monetary circumstance for many enterprise individuals, it's critical for the county to make socially and environmentally liable investments. In her two decades as an investment adviser, Marker was dedicated to instructing her valued clientele about these concerns. As county treasurer, Marker will work with county commissioners to make investments the county’s cash carefully and competently in a safe and accountable method. together with the Sierra membership, I heartily propose Marker for Santa Fe County treasurer. incorrect endorsement the new Mexican erred in its endorsement for district attorney, and i accept as true with that Scott Fuqua’s most contemporary and grossly inaccurate crusade substances illustrate why. Fuqua has undeniable event in civil-law matters, but Mary Carmack- Altwies has huge experience in the prosecution and defense of crook-law matters. Carmack-Altwies has labored difficult for over a decade to learn the equipment, to enrich the gadget, and to give again to her neighborhood of close to eight years. The programs so often touted via each candidates are programs that Carmack-Altwies (now not Fuqua) works with daily. Fuqua’s campaign advertisements indicate that accurately providing statistics may additionally now not be as critical to him as it has to be for our next district legal professional. i'm sad to have viewed Fuqua’s mailer as a result of I consider Fuqua can do better. Carmack-Altwies is the candidate in fact doing more advantageous, and she deserves our votes and guide. Jaramillo’s stepping up can you describe New Mexico in a single be aware? This Land of Enchantment, one word? “beauty”? “way of life”? “subculture”? How about “domestic”? whether you are a lifelong resident of latest Mexico or you moved here to stare upon its painted skies, we will all agree that this is our home. From one generation to the next, we want to build our state to be enhanced than it became earlier than. As we move the torch to the next generation, we are looking to achieve this with a guiding hand understanding that we've achieved our surest to keep our promise of maintaining the things we value most. Now, let the next technology step up to the plate. it's our flip, our right, our privilege and our honor to be part of the change that's so necessary. here's why i urge you to vote for Leo Jaramillo for state Senate District 5 on June 2. Jaramillo has a strong imaginative and prescient for the way forward for our state and a dedicated ardour to assist all New Mexicans. I trust that Leo Jaramillo will proceed to guide those issues New Mexicans cost whereas bringing the actual trade we want for a brighter future. wrong strategies I have been involved with demagoguery (mainly as it relates to the rise of the Nazi celebration) for many of my existence, having produced a documentary video of interviews with Holocaust survivors and different videos and essays on the subject, all very a whole lot in the public list. i used to be hence bowled over to see a well-crafted scare video attacking Congressional candidate Valerie Plame for, amongst other issues, being a Nazi sympathizer. I actually have regular Plame for years and worked with her on a few projects, including public-provider projects reminiscent of a video promotion literacy, and the charges in this scare industrial could not be further from the truth. This advert is a discredit now not most effective to something front group put it together, but to any candidate who thinks they could advantage from it and who doesn't loudly denounce it. here's exactly the sort of scare tactic that received us the place we are now, with an incompetent president concerned with only his own graphic and hobbies, and individuals deserve to wake as much as this kind of screaming demagoguery, or our democracy will be in greater drawback than it already is. take a look at Plame I’m balloting for Valerie Plame while respectfully tipping my hat to Teresa Leger Fernandez and Marco Serna. i am privileged to understand the three leading candidates for Congress, all of whom are incredibly qualified and could be decent representatives in Congress. i am voting for Plame as a result of I feel she will be able to take advantage of noise in Washington and push the envelope â€" standing up to people that do not respect diversity, human rights or the environment. she can employ respectable native people to team of workers her offices in New Mexico for constituent services, so we can get our Social safety checks and have a method to searching for federal help with acequias, and many others. Plame’s talents of how Washington truly works, and her disarming personality, will make headlines for us in D.C. I suggest undecideds seek advice from valerieplameforcongress.com, and even more advantageous, watch the Hollywood movie, fair game, according to her life as a CIA agent. No, it’s Leger Fernandez agree with congressional candidate Valerie Plame. in my view she only seeks to make the most a shallow and infamous profession (with an exaggerated notion of its importance). Arriving hither a couple of dozen years in the past, what service has she ever contributed to our state? I reckon her try and prevail Ben Ray Luján as our congressional representative is nothing greater than her newest conceitedness challenge. In comparison, consider Teresa Leger Fernandez, a local daughter of Northern New Mexico, a lawyer lengthy dedicated to civil rights, an highbrow with levels from Yale and Stanford, journey working in the Clinton and Obama administrations, with a deep, important and prolonged list of expert service and genuine accomplishments for new Mexicans, and whose economic guide is overwhelmingly native. contrast these two candidates and ask yourself, which would more suitable represent Democrats in Congress? Deep roots together with her deep roots in Northern New Mexico, Teresa Leger Fernandez is aware of from experience the issues which are critical to americans in our enviornment. She is an suggest for health care, education and the environment. She represented and gained in District courtroom the ranked-choice vote casting lawsuit for metropolis residents. Her presence in Congress will supply a powerful voice to our community. Vote for Teresa Leger Fernandez to be the Democratic nominee for the 3rd Congressional District of recent Mexico. Piling on i was upset when I study the new Mexican and skim the headlines that appear to record Teresa Leger Fernandez’s connection with “darkish funds.” it's shameful of the different candidates to pile on Leger Fernandez for her “dark money” â€" she is the most effective candidate endorsed through conclusion residents United, the nation’s premier company whose main goal is to get such dollars out of politics. apart from denouncing the advertisements, there is nothing Leger Fernandez can do or is allowed to do by using legislations. She has on no account gotten any direct funds from these PACs, neither is she allowed any input into what they say. not like some of her competition, Teresa has run a totally effective campaign from the beginning. Secondly, the brand new Mexican‘s coverage has been unduly positive towards one of her competitors, giving a sound endorsement to Teresa Leger Fernandez after which ending it with an equally laudatory, if shorter, commentary about somebody who couldn't even get on the pollafter the pre-primary convention with out collecting greater signatures. Leger Fernandez has been bringing federal money into the third Congressional District for three a long time, which is greater than any of the different candidates can say. The long island times, in masking her nationally standard competitor, mentioned greater nice things about Leger Fernandez than our homeland paper. Teresa Leger Fernandez may no longer be a country wide star now, however she can develop into one if we give her the possibility to shine in Congress. most useful for DA I just voted for Mary Carmack-Altwies for district attorney. She has worked in the DA’s office for 19 years advocating for and making mandatory changes. commonly, insiders are stronger capable of do this. one in every of her dreams has been to deal with with realizing and compassion little ones caught up within the criminal justice equipment. She has two young babies. Carmack-Altwies is also neatly aware about how poverty and race in our state have over so a long time led to gross injustices. Please critically believe Mary Carmack-Altwies if you mark your ballot. Please explain As someone who grew up being taught to conceal beneath my school desk to “survive” an atomic blast, i'm absolutely privy to the potential for finished destruction posed by way of even a tiny fraction of the nuclear weapons already in existence international. The closing component our scientists should be doing is creating extra “up to date” weapons! Pay them to work on nonproliferation. additionally distressing in the same article is the reality the candidate for the third Congressional District for whom i was planning to vote, whose credentials, experience and compassion I admired, is ok with increasing pit construction. Teresa Leger-Fernandez, I’m sad to say you just misplaced my vote. Please, earlier than the simple, inform us you are inclined to get up against this dangerous, unconscionable waste of money! Write-in Steve The District 10 seat for the public training commission is open and that i strongly urge you to vote for Steve Carrillo. (All three candidates are write-ins. District 10 contains Santa Fe, Taos, Rio Arriba and Colfax counties). by way of his movements and phrases, Steve has validated an unwavering dedication to our kids and our faculties. Having served the Santa Fe Public schools with distinction and accomplishment, and never devoid of controversy, Steve has at all times put youngsters first, under no circumstances shied far from a challenge, and all the time been sincere and forthright with his components as well as our legislators and the PED. i'm certain he'll deliver the same selfless dedication and leadership serving our state public constitution colleges. Why is this seat essential? It’s very standard. These are our education tax bucks, these are our colleges, and these are our youngsters. Carrillo has confirmed himself as a “can-do” elected professional who also fully is familiar with and embodies the “servant” part of public servant. Let’s support him in continuing the work. Write in Steve Carrillo for Public training fee, District 10. Harris is most useful As Public legislation Commissioner District 5 (Southwest New Mexico), it has become painfully clear that my company largely rubber-stamps income-motivated utility choices that may’t be enormously changed by the time regulators get involved. financial building and environmental protection alternatives are misplaced and utility rates will also be needlessly high. It doesn’t ought to be that method. That’s why I’m asking you to vote for Brian Harris for PRC member District 3. Harris will carry sorely obligatory professionalism and advantage to regulating New Mexico’s utilities. He has many years of purchaser protection, criminal and regulatory event from his time within the New Mexico legal professional typical’s workplace and as a regulatory economist. just before declaring his candidacy, Harris served as my adviser and assistant. he's a collaborator and an issue-solver. most significantly, Harris is working for the correct reasons. he is obsessed with conserving patrons and the environment. Please vote Brian Harris for PRC and aid convey New Mexico the future it deserves. PRC Commissioner, District 5 Madrid for Plame given that leaving public office, my husband and i have retired to the attractive and peaceful Mora Valley. we're having a spirited race in the 3rd Congressional District. we now have a qualified and excellent neighborhood of contenders that until now have been running a civilized, issued-oriented race. i am helping Valerie Plame. She is an energetic, battle-demonstrated national hero who will use all of her Washington savvy to simply recommend for this district. unluckily, this race took a deeply bad turn when Teresa Leger Fernandez started benefiting from “darkish funds” bills. on the most recent debate, other candidates criticized her for her involvement with darkish funds. She didn't deny or disavow it at that time. it is one aspect when PACs spend cash to say tremendous issues about their candidate, however now we are being subjected to a surprising, despicable ad saying that Plame is a white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer. i know Valerie Plame, and this advert is a blatan t lie. because the first Hispanic woman lawyer customary in the country and former chairwoman for the board of the Mexican American criminal defense and educational Fund, i will say emphatically that Valerie Plame respects and appreciates the entire cultures in New Mexico. How did we slump to this stage of political discourse? i'm upset because it is a Democratic basic, and we're speculated to be a party of ideas, now not hatred. It now appears that the dark money fees have taken this northern crusade to the level of the Republican southern congressional crusade. The Herrell/Chase mud pit should no longer be whatever that Democrats emulate. The most advantageous response to this unconscionable and false dark funds assault is to vote for Valerie Plame. former lawyer general of latest Mexico Confront hatred over the past 35 years I have lived in Santa Fe, Alcalde, Los Alamos and Velarde. The third Congressional District is my domestic. I’ve raised my family unit right here, had the decent fortune to work at LANL and been elected to the Los Alamos school board. As a mum or dad, an engineer, now a small farmer growing to be grapes and a parciante on Acequia del Ancon, I even have a deep pastime for potent representation in Congress. My issues center of attention on acequias, local neighborhood help, education, fit ambiance and fitness care. Northern New Mexico is a stunning tri-cultural mixture of Pueblo, Spanish, and Anglo heritages. We disagree at times but â€" when we're at our most useful â€" do work through considerations in respectful approaches. within the spirit of this cultural mix, we share admire in getting alongside, even with differing opinions. This brings me to the reason to write down this letter. The vicious attack advertisements towards Valerie Plame are bred in hatred and violence. it is of grave problem and outrageous that now not every candidate during this race has overtly condemned these attacks. What are we modeling for our little ones? As every parent learns, little ones are ever watchful and will settle for this bullying behavior if it’s now not confronted. if you are not standing against the bully, you're standing with the bully. consider who these advertisements are benefiting and if those individuals are not condemning the advertisements we've a serious difficulty. we will put an end to this habits via standing collectively and using our vote to select leaders who search for options, now not viciously connect opponents. i am utterly helping Valerie Plame. We want somebody who is powerful, brave and smart to signify us in Washington. reality-verify, please Candidate Scott Fuqua attacked Mary Carmack-Altwies of their race for district attorney with the best example of why he isn't suitable for the job. definitely it’s because of his inexperience, however he resorted to own assaults that were complete falsehoods, which demonstrates his lack of ability to state the facts. Isn’t that probably the most fundamental fine of being a great prosecutor, not to mention DA? rather than talk about the serious issues facing Northern New Mexico, Fuqua attacked Mary for less than being in Santa Fe and training legislation right here for just 1 1/2 years. Mary has definitely been in New Mexico for 18 years and in Santa Fe for seven of these, working towards law the whole time (and by the way, the district attorney’s purview comprises Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties, now not just Santa Fe). Fuqua also attacked her for no longer talking Spanish. She in reality can talk Spanish. These remaining-2nd acts of desperation are not mind-blowing in an election. but what is troubling is that these attacks are all quite simply knowable â€" you may verify publicly accessible voter registration and property tax facts and simply ask individuals even if Carmack-Altwies knows how to talk Spanish. If Fuqua can’t even take five minutes to examine his statistics before launching a public missive â€" in print, even so â€" how do we have faith him to move ahead on serious criminal situations? we will’t find the money for his reckless and sloppy habits, certainly when it comes to the lives of new Mexicans. former special agent in cost New Mexico lawyer regularly occurring’s workplace The appropriate man? New Mexicans should still ask themselves why there's a struggle on the cleanest Public legislation commission in dwelling reminiscence. Ex-Commissioner Doug Howe jumped on the bandwagon with (“damaged PRC wants fixing,” My View, might also 23), angrily denouncing the PRC for doing its job. The PRC dared to query the sweetheart deal given via the governor’s energy Transition Act to the public service company of new Mexico and even prevented the subsidy of fb through taxpayers. here's the first PRC to dare rise up to PNM or the governor and assert its oversight function, while fb is one of the richest organizations on earth and notorious for unethical enterprise practices. Howe is shilling for PRC candidate Brian Harris, however with chums like this, is Harris the right man? an outstanding candidate we're very fortunate to have super candidate working for third Congressional District consultant, Teresa Leger Fernandez. Her wide adventure as a a success neighborhood suggest (in a number of diverse roles) makes her truly stand out. in addition to being tremendously capable, she’s also a very respectable person and has a good coronary heart. I strongly endorse Leger Fernandez. No to ‘dark cash’ regardless of one 3rd Congressional District candidate’s convoluted efforts to maintain voters at the hours of darkness, “darkish cash” is never adequate. OpenSecrets defines dark cash as “political spending supposed to affect the resolution of a voter, the place the donor is not disclosed and the source of the money is unknown,” in spite of no matter if the ad is scathing or glowing. dark money isn't to be conflated with independent bills from organizations with common agendas who have counseled a candidate. Even corporate PACs have some degree of transparency. A candidate doesn’t get to selectively make a decision that dark funds is dangerous when it’s ugly but adequate when a good idea. I predict consistency â€" no longer convenience â€" within the candidate who will earn my vote for Congress. and that i wonder: the place are the leaders of the county and state Democratic party on a price that used to define us â€" preserving darkish funds out of politics? Vote for Harris i want to supply my guide and encouragement to vote for Brian Harris for Public rules Commissioner, District 3. I worked for the PRC with Harris as a prison assistant and then as a paralegal with the brand new Mexico attorney standard’s office. Harris is without doubt essentially the most experienced and qualified candidate for a job that requires advantage and knowledge in ratepayer coverage. Harris has the hobbies of the residents of recent Mexico in intellect, and is not looking for a stepping stone for an improved office. I motivate you to vote for Brian Harris for the PRC. Maestas is the guy In a Zoom Public legislation fee (PRC) candidate forum held April 14, the query was requested no matter if the candidates felt that utility companies may still be in a position to personal neighborhood solar facilities. Joe Maestas spoke back “no,” that “it wouldn’t be community solar if the utility enterprise owns it.” although, his opponent responded “yes.” The candidates were also requested whether they supported a November pollinitiative that would give the governor vigour to appoint PRC commissioners instead of the current formulation of electing them. Maestas responded that he is in opposition t governor appointments because “elected utility regulators are more responsible and accessible to voters.” Maestas’ opponent declined to give his opinion. Joe Maestas, a civil engineer, former mayor of Española and former Santa Fe city councilor, is clever, hardworking, has integrity and does his homework. The PRC could use somebody like him. He would convey a sparkling voice to this afflicted commission. Marker for treasurer I write to induce your aid for Lucinda Marker as county treasurer. I’ve generic Marker for over 30 years. Her most fresh profession in subtle financial transactions and investments supply her with most beneficial practising for the treasurer job. furthermore, I even have always found her to be simple, no-nonsense, competent, shiny and a pleasure to work with. She has wide connections with Santa Fe, and provides the standpoint, principally beneficial in finance, of connection to the broader world. Endorsements with the aid of the Santa Fe New Mexican, the Santa Fe Reporter, the Journal North and the Sierra membership are testaments to her capabilities. appropriate for the second i know a couple of you who I deeply respect are balloting for one other highly achieved 3rd Congressional District candidate, but i will’t help telling you, my chums and pals, why I agree with Valerie Plame is the correct grownup for this second. Valerie Plame is familiar with each the Washington game and brinkmanship of the realm’s foreign coverage and the way horribly they've shifted in the closing few years. You already comprehend, as an completed CIA NOC and as an exposed pawn in an even bigger online game, Plame has been in each thickets. here is the time to trust the big photograph and do whatever thing for the nation, now not just the state. Plame’s CIA abilities became in nuclear counterproliferation. She deeply is aware Los Alamos countrywide Laboratory’s mission, whereas assisting its evolution to a world of fewer nuclear weapons. Her experience will permit her to work quite simply to reverse the reckless destruction of our hands-control apparatus. Plame is a powerful advocate for the concepts of the eco-friendly New Deal. She believes that New Mexico should put together for the longer term and flow away from its dependence on fossil fuel revenue by way of embracing rising green energy know-how. huge corporate funds is corrupting, and Plame sees the way it has avoided many Democratic initiatives from gaining aid in Congress, so she has made the resolution now not to settle for any. For my cash, we’ll not get any quicker, enhanced price for the funding of our vote than Plame. Time for sparkling faces Is adequate adequate? I say sure. basically three decades within the state Senate is enough. That’s what time period limits are all about. Time for a new face, younger blood and sparkling, new ideas. And that’s why i am voting for Connie Trujillo for state Senate, District eight, from Las Vegas, N.M. She is the new senator we need. Trujillo is a nurse, a midwife and currently a company proprietor. She has a strong background in fitness care, company and even engineering! Let’s vote to brush Trujillo into the brand new Mexico Legislature to be the voice of our community.