Congressional Campaign Could Reach City Council

Michelle Lujan Grisham’s campaign for Congress could reshape the City Council, not just the County Commission.

Here’s how, in six easy steps:

⋄ Insiders say there’s a reasonable chance Grisham, a Democrat, will resign at some point — either to focus on her campaign for the U.S. House or, if she wins, after the election.

⋄ If so, that would leave a void on the County Commission. Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, would appoint a replacement to serve until the next general election.

⋄ If Grisham were to resign by early September, her seat would go on the Nov. 6 ballot, with internal committees of the Republican and Democratic parties nominating candidates for the job.

⋄ Here City Councilor Debbie O’Malley comes in. She’s among a lengthy list of Democrats who could get that nomination.

⋄ If O’Malley were to be nominated and then win the commission seat, Mayor Richard Berry, a Republican, would appoint a replacement for her. But that gets tricky, too. Because of redistricting, two councilors actually live in O’Malley’s district right now — O’Malley herself and Issac Benton, also a Democrat.

⋄ So would the mayor appoint Benton to O’Malley’s seat, then pick someone else for the now-vacant District 3? Or would he just pick someone else for O’Malley’s seat and leave Benton without a district when the 2013 municipal election rolls around?

It’s pretty speculative, I know. But it’s clear that political insiders are looking at all the angles.

Fire chief retirement

Bernalillo County Fire Chief John Garcia’s retirement took effect this week. Earlier this summer, I wrote about his plans to leave, but Garcia wasn’t too candid about whether internal politics played a role in his decision.

But now I have a copy of a four-page letter he sent to the County Commission.

Garcia said he retires with a “heavy heart and sadness.” He makes reference to the commission’s closed-door meeting this summer to discuss the job performance of its top appointees — the fire chief, county manager and county attorney.

“I’m not sure what prompted the discussion and closed session meeting concerning my job performance and what I have heard through the grapevine about my leadership abilities,” Garcia said.

He added that he’s worked hard and is “a bit confused about this chain of events.”

— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal