Readers share political views in time for simple

faithful. sincere. Principled. These words describe the Katharine Clark i know, the Katharine Clark I’ve labored with. There’s no superior candidate when it involves deciding on our subsequent Santa Fe County clerk. As present county clerk, Geraldine Salazar pointed out when she endorsed Clark to be triumphant her, “Katharine has effective moral instincts.” I’m assured Clark will work to make sure that our elections are clear and reasonable, and that she’ll work to raise access to the ballot. she can combat towards misinformation that suppresses the vote. There isn't any doubt Clark will continue to defend our elections. just as Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (former Bernalillo County clerk) endorses Clark, as Los Alamos County clerk, I support her to help keep elections secure in New Mexico. The article on the fresh anti-Valerie Plame advert by way of “dark money” group Alliance to combat Extremism, is perplexing (“Candidates criticize ‘darkish money’ spending on behalf of Leger Fernandez,” may additionally 25). It sustained the premise that Teresa Leger Fernandez was the handiest candidate who would benefit from this repulsive ad. I had to watch this ad to see if there became direct support for Leger Fernandez, as your article didn't make that clear. This ad doesn't aid one candidate. To my recollection at the beginning of this race, the simplest candidate pushing the incorrect Plame-as-anti-Semite line changed into Marco Serna. Yet your article did not factor this out. So, who merits from decrying the proper two women candidates? Job finished; somebody’s smiling. New Mexico attracts potent candidates for elected positions, simply as it has for the 3rd Congressional District’s simple election. If this have been a state condo seat, it could be complex to make a decision. Being “appreciated” and loving New Mexico can be sufficient. not so for Congress. Valerie Plame is the only candidate certified at this level. Valerie has held her own on CNN, MSNBC, POTUS radio and even FOX information; she has articulated complex positions on a country wide stage. She has countrywide plans, protective of regional interests, on fitness care, the economic climate, the atmosphere, immigration and ladies’s care. It helps that this candidate epitomizes the discipline of a CIA agent, completely prepared to are living â€" or die â€" for her nation. No other candidate has her depth of countrywide safety experience. now not even shut. The best candidate ready for the countrywide/foreign enviornment, with the passion to fight for brand new Mexico, is Plame. Joseph Sanchez has the management capabilities, training, professionalism, values and integrity to signify us well in Congress. he'll be sure that the voice of his materials is heard and should only assist superb exchange. As state representative, Sanchez served as vp of the apartment Appropriations and Finance Committee, helping improve our state’s multibillion dollar finances. He changed into instrumental in acquiring the funding to open the Pathways Homeless shield in Española. Even amid the COVID-19 disaster, he has persevered his efforts with organizing fundraising events for the meals Depot and Roadrunner food banks. And with suitable masks and gloves, he delivered care programs to these in want. He didn’t spend his campaign time soliciting huge business contributions, he spent his time with his americans. Please assist him with your vote June 2. Joe Maestas would make a contribution a clean viewpoint on the public rules fee. he's a former mayor of Española, a former Santa Fe metropolis councilor, supporter of ranked-choice voting, an engineer interested in the value of neighborhood photo voltaic production and an experienced crew player whose distinctive background also suggests purpose pondering. Maestas’ opponent, Brian Harris, has been endorsed by means of many politicians, including the governor and two sitting commissioners. I find it inappropriate for the governor to get into the business of constructing endorsements, and that i consider PRC commissioners should be elected, not appointed. Maestas is of the same opinion. That’s one of the correct reasons why I’m vote casting for Joe Maestas for PRC. My family is casting our votes for Brian Harris for the public rules commission. He’s the best candidate with the qualifications and background to repair the PRC. We want someone with actual potential in concerns regarding our precious land in New Mexico. this is no longer the spot for knowledgeable politician like Joe Maestas â€" the stakes are too critical, with clear power jobs and carbon reduction on the line. i am hoping you are going to be part of our household in balloting for Harris! Lucinda Marker has years of journey as an expert funding adviser, and she could be a very good alternative for the next Santa Fe County treasurer. i'm a former Santa Fe County commissioner, and i accept as true with that Marker is uniquely certified in these complex instances to safeguard the county’s economic belongings totaling about $320 million. With global climate exchange and the present disastrous economic condition for a lot of company individuals, it's vital for the county to make socially and environmentally accountable investments. In her twenty years as an investment adviser, Marker become dedicated to instructing her purchasers about these issues. As county treasurer, Marker will work with county commissioners to invest the county’s cash rigorously and effectively in a secure and liable method. together with the Sierra membership, I heartily propose Marker for Santa Fe County treasurer. the new Mexican erred in its endorsement for district lawyer, and i trust that Scott Fuqua’s most contemporary and grossly inaccurate crusade substances illustrate why. Fuqua has indisputable adventure in civil-legislations concerns, however Mary Carmack- Altwies has wide journey within the prosecution and defense of criminal-legislation matters. Carmack-Altwies has worked tough for over a decade to learn the system, to increase the equipment, and to give lower back to her group of close to eight years. The courses so often touted with the aid of each candidates are classes that Carmack-Altwies (now not Fuqua) works with each day. Fuqua’s campaign adverts indicate that precisely featuring records may also now not be as vital to him as it must be for our next district lawyer. i'm unhappy to have considered Fuqua’s mailer as a result of I consider Fuqua can do better. Carmack-Altwies is the candidate really doing improved, and she or he deserves our votes and guide. Jaramillo’s stepping up are you able to describe New Mexico in one observe? This Land of Enchantment, one note? “elegance”? “tradition”? “tradition”? How about “domestic”? whether you're a lifelong resident of new Mexico or you moved here to gaze at its painted skies, we are able to all agree that here's our home. From one technology to the subsequent, we want to construct our state to be enhanced than it became earlier than. As we circulate the torch to the next technology, we want to achieve this with a guiding hand understanding that we've performed our most excellent to preserve our promise of retaining the things we value most. Now, let the subsequent era step up to the plate. it is our flip, our correct, our privilege and our honor to be a part of the change that is so fundamental. here is why i encourage you to vote for Leo Jaramillo for state Senate District 5 on June 2. Jaramillo has a robust vision for the future of our state and a dedicated passion to assist all New Mexicans. I trust that Leo Jaramillo will continue to support these things New Mexicans cost whereas bringing the exact change we need for a brighter future. I actually have been involved with demagoguery (particularly as it relates to the upward thrust of the Nazi party) for most of my life, having produced a documentary video of interviews with Holocaust survivors and different movies and essays on the theme, all very plenty in the public listing. i used to be hence stunned to peer a smartly-crafted scare video attacking Congressional candidate Valerie Plame for, among different issues, being a Nazi sympathizer. I have known Plame for years and worked together with her on a number of initiatives, together with public-carrier projects comparable to a video promotion literacy, and the costs during this scare industrial couldn't be additional from the truth. This advert is a discredit now not most effective to some thing entrance group put it together, but to any candidate who thinks they could improvement from it and who does not loudly denounce it. here's precisely the sort of scare tactic that received us the place we at the moment are, with an incompetent president worried with only his personal photograph and hobbies, and individuals deserve to wake as much as this form of screaming demagoguery, or our democracy should be in greater crisis than it already is. I’m voting for Valerie Plame whereas respectfully tipping my hat to Teresa Leger Fernandez and Marco Serna. i'm privileged to grasp the three main candidates for Congress, all of whom are highly qualified and could be decent representatives in Congress. i am voting for Plame because I believe she can take advantage of noise in Washington and push the envelope â€" standing up to people that don't appreciate variety, human rights or the atmosphere. she will be able to hire decent local people to team of workers her places of work in New Mexico for constituent functions, so we can get our Social protection checks and have a method to seek federal support with acequias, and so on. Plame’s knowledge of how Washington basically works, and her disarming personality, will make headlines for us in D.C. I suggest undecideds consult with valerieplameforcongress.com, and even more suitable, watch the Hollywood movie, reasonable game, in line with her lifestyles as a CIA agent. No, it’s Leger Fernandez believe congressional candidate Valerie Plame. in my opinion she only seeks to take advantage of a shallow and infamous profession (with an exaggerated thought of its importance). Arriving hither about a dozen years in the past, what carrier has she ever contributed to our state? I reckon her try to succeed Ben Ray Luján as our congressional representative is nothing greater than her newest arrogance undertaking. In evaluation, accept as true with Teresa Leger Fernandez, a local daughter of Northern New Mexico, a legal professional long dedicated to civil rights, an intellectual with degrees from Yale and Stanford, journey working within the Clinton and Obama administrations, with a deep, significant and lengthy listing of knowledgeable service and authentic accomplishments for brand spanking new Mexicans, and whose monetary guide is overwhelmingly local. distinction these two candidates and ask yourself, which would improved represent Democrats in Congress? together with her deep roots in Northern New Mexico, Teresa Leger Fernandez is aware of from adventure the concerns that are important to individuals in our area. She is an advocate for fitness care, education and the atmosphere. She represented and won in District courtroom the ranked-choice vote casting lawsuit for metropolis residents. Her presence in Congress will supply a strong voice to our community. Vote for Teresa Leger Fernandez to be the Democratic nominee for the third Congressional District of new Mexico. i was upset when I study the new Mexican and skim the headlines that seem to file Teresa Leger Fernandez’s connection with “darkish money.” it is shameful of the other candidates to pile on Leger Fernandez for her “darkish cash” â€" she is the most effective candidate endorsed by way of conclusion citizens United, the nation’s premier organization whose main intention is to get such money out of politics. aside from denouncing the adverts, there is nothing Leger Fernandez can do or is allowed to do with the aid of legislation. She has under no circumstances gotten any direct money from these PACs, nor is she allowed any input into what they say. not like some of her competition, Teresa has run a completely positive crusade from the beginning. Secondly, the new Mexican‘s insurance has been unduly fine toward one in every of her competitors, giving a sound endorsement to Teresa Leger Fernandez after which ending it with an equally laudatory, if shorter, statement about somebody who could not even get on the ballot after the pre-basic conference with out accumulating greater signatures. Leger Fernandez has been bringing federal cash into the 3rd Congressional District for three decades, which is more than any of the different candidates can say. The big apple instances, in covering her nationally standard competitor, mentioned greater nice things about Leger Fernandez than our hometown paper. Teresa Leger Fernandez may not be a countrywide superstar now, but she will turn into one if we provide her the possibility to shine in Congress. I just voted for Mary Carmack-Altwies for district lawyer. She has worked within the DA’s office for 19 years advocating for and making needed adjustments. often, insiders are greater able to try this. one of her desires has been to treat with realizing and compassion infants caught up within the crook justice system. She has two young babies. Carmack-Altwies is also well aware of how poverty and race in our state have over so a long time ended in gross injustices. Please severely accept as true with Mary Carmack-Altwies in the event you mark your ballot. As somebody who grew up being taught to hide under my school desk to “survive” an atomic blast, i'm wholly aware of the knowledge for complete destruction posed by even a tiny fraction of the nuclear weapons already in existence global. The final component our scientists should be doing is developing extra “contemporary” weapons! Pay them to work on nonproliferation. additionally distressing within the identical article is the truth the candidate for the 3rd Congressional District for whom i used to be planning to vote, whose credentials, journey and compassion I admired, is ok with expanding pit production. Teresa Leger-Fernandez, I’m unhappy to claim you just misplaced my vote. Please, before the basic, tell us you're willing to stand up against this dangerous, unconscionable waste of cash! The District 10 seat for the public education commission is open and that i strongly urge you to vote for Steve Carrillo. (All three candidates are write-ins. District 10 comprises Santa Fe, Taos, Rio Arriba and Colfax counties). by his moves and words, Steve has validated an unwavering dedication to our kids and our schools. Having served the Santa Fe Public schools with big difference and accomplishment, and never with out controversy, Steve has at all times put kids first, certainly not shied far from a challenge, and all the time been honest and forthright along with his constituents as well as our politicians and the PED. i am certain he'll deliver the equal selfless dedication and leadership serving our state public charter faculties. Why is this seat important? It’s very elementary. These are our education tax dollars, these are our faculties, and these are our kids. Carrillo has proven himself as a “can-do” elected professional who also wholly knows and embodies the “servant” a part of public servant. Let’s guide him in continuing the work. Write in Steve Carrillo for Public education commission, District 10. As Public law Commissioner District 5 (Southwest New Mexico), it has turn into painfully clear that my company largely rubber-stamps income-motivated utility choices that can’t be tremendously modified by the point regulators get entangled. economic construction and environmental insurance plan opportunities are misplaced and utility fees can be needlessly high. It doesn’t should be that way. That’s why I’m asking you to vote for Brian Harris for PRC member District three. Harris will bring sorely essential professionalism and advantage to regulating New Mexico’s utilities. He has many years of client insurance policy, prison and regulatory adventure from his time within the New Mexico legal professional standard’s workplace and as a regulatory economist. in advance of declaring his candidacy, Harris served as my adviser and assistant. he is a collaborator and an issue-solver. most importantly, Harris is running for the right motives. he is obsessed with protecting consumers and the ambiance. Please vote Brian Harris for PRC and assist bring New Mexico the longer term it deserves. PRC Commissioner, District 5 considering that leaving public office, my husband and that i have retired to the attractive and peaceful Mora Valley. we're having a spirited race in the 3rd Congressional District. we've a qualified and extraordinary community of contenders that previously have been operating a civilized, issued-oriented race. i am assisting Valerie Plame. She is an lively, fight-proven national hero who will use all of her Washington savvy to comfortably recommend for this district. alas, this race took a deeply bad flip when Teresa Leger Fernandez begun taking advantage of “darkish funds” fees. on the most recent debate, different candidates criticized her for her involvement with dark cash. She didn't deny or disavow it at that time. it is one element when PACs spend cash to claim high-quality things about their candidate, but now we are being subjected to a surprising, despicable advert announcing that Plame is a white supremacist and Nazi sympathizer. i do know Valerie Plame, and this ad i s a blatant lie. because the first Hispanic lady legal professional time-honored in the country and former chairwoman for the board of the Mexican American criminal defense and tutorial Fund, i can say emphatically that Valerie Plame respects and appreciates all the cultures in New Mexico. How did we hunch to this level of political discourse? i am upset because it is a Democratic simple, and we're imagined to be a celebration of ideas, no longer hatred. It now appears that the darkish funds expenditures have taken this northern crusade to the degree of the Republican southern congressional crusade. The Herrell/Chase mud pit should no longer be anything that Democrats emulate. The surest response to this unconscionable and false darkish funds attack is to vote for Valerie Plame. over the last 35 years I actually have lived in Santa Fe, Alcalde, Los Alamos and Velarde. The 3rd Congressional District is my domestic. I’ve raised my family right here, had the decent fortune to work at LANL and been elected to the Los Alamos college board. As a parent, an engineer, now a small farmer growing grapes and a parciante on Acequia del Ancon, I even have a deep activity for potent representation in Congress. My concerns focal point on acequias, local community help, schooling, suit ambiance and fitness care. Northern New Mexico is an attractive tri-cultural mixture of Pueblo, Spanish, and Anglo heritages. We disagree every now and then however â€" when we're at our ideal â€" do work via concerns in respectful approaches. within the spirit of this cultural combine, we share appreciate in getting along, regardless of differing opinions. This brings me to the purpose to jot down this letter. The vicious assault ads towards Valerie Plame are bred in hatred and violence. it's of grave problem and outrageous that not every candidate in this race has brazenly condemned these assaults. What are we modeling for our little ones? As every mum or dad learns, babies are ever watchful and may settle for this bullying habits if it’s not confronted. in case you are not standing in opposition t the bully, you're standing with the bully. trust who these adverts are benefiting and if these folks aren't condemning the ads we have a serious problem. we will put an conclusion to this behavior via standing together and using our vote to choose leaders who search for options, now not viciously attach opponents. i'm fully helping Valerie Plame. We need somebody who is robust, brave and wise to signify us in Washington. Candidate Scott Fuqua attacked Mary Carmack-Altwies of their race for district lawyer with the most desirable illustration of why he is not proper for the job. certainly it’s as a result of his inexperience, but he resorted to own assaults that have been complete falsehoods, which demonstrates his lack of ability to state the statistics. Isn’t that the most fundamental satisfactory of being an excellent prosecutor, let alone DA? in preference to speak in regards to the critical concerns dealing with Northern New Mexico, Fuqua attacked Mary for only being in Santa Fe and practising legislation right here for just 1 1/2 years. Mary has in fact been in New Mexico for 18 years and in Santa Fe for seven of these, practising legislations the complete time (and by the way, the district lawyer’s purview comprises Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties, not simply Santa Fe). Fuqua also attacked her for no longer speakme Spanish. She definitely can talk Spanish. These final-2nd acts of desperation are not mind-blowing in an election. but what is troubling is that these attacks are all effortlessly knowable â€" you may check publicly available voter registration and property tax information and simply ask people whether Carmack-Altwies knows how to talk Spanish. If Fuqua can’t even take five minutes to assess his information earlier than launching a public missive â€" in print, even so â€" how will we have confidence him to stream ahead on serious crook circumstances? we are able to’t find the money for his reckless and sloppy habits, specifically when it involves the lives of recent Mexicans. former particular agent in charge New Mexico attorney widespread’s workplace New Mexicans should still ask themselves why there is a conflict on the cleanest Public legislation commission in living reminiscence. Ex-Commissioner Doug Howe jumped on the bandwagon with (“damaged PRC wants fixing,” My View, can also 23), angrily denouncing the PRC for doing its job. The PRC dared to query the lover deal given via the governor’s power Transition Act to the public provider business of recent Mexico and even prevented the subsidy of fb via taxpayers. here's the first PRC to dare stand up to PNM or the governor and assert its oversight position, whereas fb is likely one of the richest groups on earth and infamous for unethical enterprise practices. Howe is shilling for PRC candidate Brian Harris, however with friends like this, is Harris the appropriate man? we're very lucky to have top notch candidate operating for third Congressional District representative, Teresa Leger Fernandez. Her wide experience as a successful neighborhood suggest (in plenty of distinctive roles) makes her in fact stand out. in addition to being highly ready, she’s also a really good grownup and has a pretty good coronary heart. I strongly advise Leger Fernandez. despite one third Congressional District candidate’s convoluted efforts to preserve voters at nighttime, “dark money” isn't adequate. OpenSecrets defines darkish cash as “political spending meant to have an effect on the decision of a voter, the place the donor isn't disclosed and the supply of the money is unknown,” in spite of no matter if the advert is scathing or glowing. dark money isn't to be conflated with independent expenditures from agencies with widely used agendas who have recommended a candidate. Even company PACs have some degree of transparency. A candidate doesn’t get to selectively decide that darkish money is bad when it’s ugly but adequate when a good suggestion. I expect consistency â€" no longer convenience â€" within the candidate who will earn my vote for Congress. and that i ask yourself: the place are the leaders of the county and state Democratic birthday celebration on a value that used to outline us â€" retaining darkish money out of politics? i would like to provide my support and encouragement to vote for Brian Harris for Public rules Commissioner, District three. I labored for the PRC with Harris as a criminal assistant after which as a paralegal with the brand new Mexico lawyer usual’s office. Harris is most likely probably the most experienced and certified candidate for a job that requires expertise and capabilities in ratepayer coverage. Harris has the pastimes of the residents of recent Mexico in mind, and is not trying to find a stepping stone for an improved office. I motivate you to vote for Brian Harris for the PRC. In a Zoom Public law fee (PRC) candidate discussion board held April 14, the question changed into requested even if the candidates felt that utility groups should be in a position to own neighborhood photo voltaic facilities. Joe Maestas responded “no,” that “it wouldn’t be group solar if the utility company owns it.” although, his opponent replied “sure.” The candidates were also asked whether or not they supported a November pollinitiative that would provide the governor energy to appoint PRC commissioners rather than the present method of electing them. Maestas responded that he's in opposition t governor appointments as a result of “elected utility regulators are extra dependable and obtainable to voters.” Maestas’ opponent declined to give his opinion. Joe Maestas, a civil engineer, former mayor of Española and former Santa Fe metropolis councilor, is clever, hardworking, has integrity and does his homework. The PRC might use a person like him. He would convey a fresh voice to this stricken commission. I write to urge your support for Lucinda Marker as county treasurer. I’ve known Marker for over 30 years. Her most fresh profession in subtle economic transactions and investments supply her with most suitable working towards for the treasurer job. in addition, I actually have all the time discovered her to be straightforward, no-nonsense, capable, vivid and a pleasure to work with. She has wide connections with Santa Fe, and provides the point of view, specially constructive in finance, of connection to the broader world. Endorsements by using the Santa Fe New Mexican, the Santa Fe Reporter, the Journal North and the Sierra club are testaments to her capabilities. i do know a few you who I deeply admire are voting for an additional highly achieved 3rd Congressional District candidate, however i will’t aid telling you, my pals and pals, why I accept as true with Valerie Plame is the correct adult for this moment. Valerie Plame understands both the Washington online game and brinkmanship of the area’s international coverage and the way horribly they have got shifted within the last few years. You already understand, as an accomplished CIA NOC and as an exposed pawn in an even bigger online game, Plame has been in each thickets. here's the time to accept as true with the big image and do anything for the nation, not just the state. Plame’s CIA expertise changed into in nuclear counterproliferation. She deeply understands Los Alamos country wide Laboratory’s mission, while assisting its evolution to a world of fewer nuclear weapons. Her journey will enable her to work with ease to reverse the reckless destruction of our hands-control apparatus. Plame is a powerful advocate for the principles of the green New Deal. She believes that New Mexico should prepare for the long run and stream faraway from its dependence on fossil fuel profits by way of embracing rising eco-friendly energy technology. large corporate funds is corrupting, and Plame sees the way it has averted many Democratic initiatives from gaining support in Congress, so she has made the determination now not to settle for any. For my funds, we’ll now not get any sooner, stronger price for the funding of our vote than Plame. Is satisfactory enough? I say yes. essentially three many years in the state Senate is adequate. That’s what time period limits are all about. Time for a new face, young blood and sparkling, new ideas. And that’s why i'm balloting for Connie Trujillo for state Senate, District eight, from Las Vegas, N.M. She is the brand new senator we want. Trujillo is a nurse, a midwife and lately a enterprise owner. She has a powerful background in health care, business and even engineering! Let’s vote to comb Trujillo into the new Mexico Legislature to be the voice of our neighborhood. span category=”print_trim”Las Vegas, N.M.