Chavez Wins Key Union Endorsement, Other Notes

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez picked up a key union endorsement Friday from AFSCME, which represents thousands of city employees. It’s an interesting turn of events given the rocky relationship the union has had with the administration over the years.

In fact, the endorsement itself isn’t heavy on praise.

“Mayor Chavez is in a very strong position to be re-elected and we look forward to a good working relationship over the next four years with the mayor
and his administration,” AFSCME Council President Andrew Padilla said.

Chavez proposed a budget for the coming year that avoids layoffs despite the tough economy. Employees will get raises, too.

Chavez, a Democrat, hasn’t announced his candidacy for re-election yet, but everyone expects him to run. Also running are former state Senate President Pro Tem Richard Romero, a Democrat, and state Rep. Richard Berry, a Republican.

Election Day is Oct. 6.

The union has clashed with the Chavez administration over discipline meted out to employees in the Transit Department and a bill that would have allowed unions to take the city to binding arbitration on some issues. Chavez vetoed the bill.

Other notes from the mayoral campaign:

• Marjorie Childress at the New Mexico Independent outlines the back-and-forth between Romero and Chavez over the city budget. 
• Joe Monahan says the AFSCME endorsement of Chavez is a blow to Romero’s campaign.
• Chavez announced a “War on Weeds” this week, but his opponents took some whacks at him for it, KOB.com reports.