GOP, Dems to vie for City Council spot

City Councilor Michael Cook’s arrest on a DWI charge – and resignation – could shake up not only this City Council but also the next one.

District 7 is a likely target for Democrats who want to win a majority on the council this fall. It’s been represented by Cook and, before him, Sally Mayer over the last decade, both Republicans.

But thanks to redistricting, the Uptown-based district is considered more of a “toss up” that could be won by either party.

Democrat Diane Gibson, a former machinist at Sandia National Laboratories, is already running.

Former state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, a Republican, says she’d say “yes” if Mayor Richard Berry wants to appoint her to replace Cook. Arnold-Jones last fall was defeated by Michelle Lujan Grisham in the District 1 congressional race.

The mayor says he’d like to appoint someone “in the coming weeks,” according to spokeswoman Breanna Anderson.

Berry “will be searching for a capable candidate who is hard working, has a passion for Albuquerque, the energy to serve their community with a common sense approach, and ultimately possesses a love for this great city, which will be conveyed through their commitment (to) the people,” she said.

Republicans now hold a 6-3 advantage on the council, so Democrats would have to pick up two seats to gain a majority.

Besides Cook’s district, another seat I’d imagine Democrats are eyeing is District 2, where Republican Roxanna Meyers was appointed to replace Debbie O’Malley, a Democrat, who left to join the County Commission.

Isaac Benton, a Democrat who now lives in District 2 because of redistricting, plans to run against Meyers.

Online changes OK

Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver said she’s excited about the prospect of making it easier for people to update their voter registration.

The state Legislature and Gov. Susana Martinez approved a bill that will allow voters to make online changes to their voter registration information, starting July 1, 2014. First-time voters, however, can’t register online, though Oliver hopes that will be approved at some point, too.

Online updates are “going to be a great first step to get folks comfortable with the process,” Oliver said.

The easier it is for people to update their address, party affiliation and other information, she said, the more accurate election records will be.

Council picks Neal?

The City Council usually debates chief administrative officers and the like, not head coaches.

But the council’s most veteran member, Brad Winter, made it clear this week that he wanted to see Craig Neal succeed Steve Alford at the University of New Mexico.

Winter made the comment as councilors handed out a proclamation on Monday to the men’s basketball team. A day later, Neal was named head coach.

Maybe this City Council is more powerful than we thought.
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal