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Thursday, January 06, 2011
Bregman Eyes Dem Chairmanship
By Sean Olson
Journal Staff Writer
After a strong election year for Republicans, there is already some jockeying to replace Javier Gonzales of Santa Fe as chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.
Albuquerque criminal lawyer Sam Bregman is the first person to step up, confirming Wednesday that he will seek the position.
Bregman said losing the governor's seat and a congressional seat and suffering heavy losses in the Legislature in the 2010 election was a sign that the party needed new leadership.
"The last election cycle was unacceptable, as far as I am concerned," Bregman said.
Gonzales said Wednesday that he would like another term to fight for Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and President Barack Obama, both of whom are up for re-election in 2012. He said there were accomplishments made during a tough election cycle, including holding onto U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich's 1st Congressional District seat, which was held by Republicans for more than 40 years before Heinrich first won it in 2008.
He said he respects other people wanting to be involved and throwing in their hats for his position, but said he would prefer that everyone refrain from attacking other Democrats.
"The fact is, we're going to need everyone to rebuild the party. You don't do that by throwing stones," Gonzales said.
The state Democratic Party's Central Committee, made up of 407 delegates this year, will choose the new chairman at the end of April. The chairman serves a two-year term.
State Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Forrester said that others have expressed interest in the position but that no one else has publicly announced intention to seek the chairmanship.
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