Union Endorses O’Malley for Commission

City Councilor Debbie O’Malley picked up a union endorsement Wednesday in her bid to move over to the County Commission.

Democratic Party insiders will choose a nominee this weekend to fill the unexpired term of Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is leaving the commission to focus on her campaign for Congress.

O’Malley faces former City Councilor Miguel Gomez and attorney Sarita Nair, who are also seeking the nomination. Republicans will nominate a candidate, too, and the governor will appoint someone to serve through the end of this year.

O’Malley’s statement is below:

Debbie O’Malley Endorsed by City and County Workers

AFSCME Local 18 Yesterday Voted to Support Bid for County Commission

ALBUQUERQUE (Wednesday, September 5, 2012) After interviewing prospective candidates for the Bernalillo County Commission District 1 open seat, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 18 yesterday endorsed Democrat Debbie O’Malley for the Nov. 6 General Election.

“This is an endorsement I am proud to have earned,” said O’Malley, currently an Albuquerque City Councilor.  “Our city and county workers are the unsung heroes who safeguard our parks, public roads and buildings and provide many of the public services that we rely on.”

AFSCME Political Director Josh Anderson said, “Over the last 9 years, Councilor O’Malley has been an ally of labor and strong supporter of working families.”

On the matter of her leaving the City Council, Anderson said, “We will miss Councilor O’Malley’s strong voice on the council, but we gain a great deal by having someone with her experience and record of fighting for working families at the County.” 

“Furthermore, her leaving the Council does not change the fact that we have a Republican Mayor and a Republican majority on the Council now.  Mayor Berry can only appoint someone temporarily since her seat will be up for election in October of next year.  This election is a Mayoral election, and it will give us the opportunity to boost turnout in her strong Democratic Council seat-which is a good thing for our community.”

This Saturday, members of the Democratic Party’s Bernalillo County Central Committee within Commission District 1 will elect a Democratic nominee for the County Commission District 1 seat recently vacated by Congressional Candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham.

O’Malley was first elected to the Albuquerque City Council in 2003.  On the council, she has supported responsible economic development and affordable housing, encouraged active community planning, and worked to improve public safety while upgrading area neighborhood parks, streets and sidewalks.

If elected to the County Commission this November, she will continue to serve on the council until January 2013 when her commission term would begin.  The election for a new City Council District 2 representative will take place in October 2013, during the next municipal election.