Three-term former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez is back on the political scene, announcing today through an Internet video that he will seek the Democratic nomination to the U.S. House from the Albuquerque-based 1st Congressional District.
Chávez said Tuesday that as a House member, he would seek to balance the federal budget while supporting programs such as Medicare and Social Security to protect society’s “most vulnerable.”
“It really is about the economy and how perilous it is,” he said. “And you can’t have a strong economy unless you balance the budget.”
Chávez is the second Democrat – but likely not the last- to declare his intention to seek the nomination. Sen. Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque, officially entered the race in late April.
Griego and Chávez have a history as political rivals, with Griego unsuccessfully challenging Chávez in the 2005 Albuquerque mayoral race, in which Chávez won his third term in office.
Bernalillo County Commissioner Michelle Lujan Grisham, former Sandia Pueblo Gov. Stuart Paisano, former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, state Treasurer James Lewis and U.S. Department of Agricultural state rural development director Terry Brunner also are considering runs for the nomination.
On the Republican side for the U.S. House seat, Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis is the only declared candidate. Former state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque, and state Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela, who ran against Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., for the 1st Congressional District seat in 2010, are considering bids.
Heinrich is leaving his House seat to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.
Chávez built a reputation as a moderate during his nonconsecutive terms as mayor, promoting pro-business and development policies while also taking strong stances in support of environmental protection and conservation issues.
Since losing the 2009 mayoral race to Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry, Chávez has served as the executive director of ICLEI USA, an international nonprofit organization that works with local governments to improve energy and environmental sustainability in development.
Chávez said that his recent work, which has required him to spend significant time in Washington D.C., has given him a better idea of how the federal government is operating.
“I have watched the way the federal government works, and, frankly, it doesn’t work,” Chávez said. “This is one of the most dysfunctional places I’ve ever seen.”
Chávez said he would focus on bringing green energy and technology jobs to the district. The federal government’s role in education will be another priority, an area Chávez said is not competitive with other countries.
Chávez said he would fight the Republican budget plans that include proposed overhauls of Medicare and Medicaid funding. He said he would oppose cutting tax rates while safety net programs are on the chopping block.
Chávez’s announcement video can be found on his website, www.martychavez.com.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal
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