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Saturday, November 22, 2008

If Governor Goes, N.M. Posts Will Shift

By Dan Boyd
Copyright © 2008 Albuquerque Journal
Journal Capitol Bureau
          SANTA FE — If Gov. Bill Richardson leaves New Mexico for the Obama administration, what happens next in the Roundhouse?
        The bottom line is that Lt. Gov. Diane Denish would become the state's first female governor, would get to pick her own successor and surely would have a head start on running for election to the Governor's Office in 2010, which would be the end of Richardson's term.
        Meanwhile, there's no shortage of people being cited as possible choices for the lieutenant governor's post.
        Denish's office was mum on the subject Friday. "That's still way down the line," said Danielle Montoya, her communications director.
        But State Auditor Hector Balderas, a former state legislator from Wagon Mound, is among those mentioned in New Mexico political speculation about a vacancy in the lieutenant governor's office.
        Balderas, who was attending a national conference for Latino elected officials in Washington, D.C., on Friday, said in a telephone interview that such consideration has been an honor in itself, and he confirmed that he's been in recent contact with Denish and other top state officials.
        "I haven't given it too much thought, but it's definitely made my mom proud." Balderas said. "Having served as state auditor has really taught me a lot and prepared me."
        Other people named in the speculation about Denish's choice for lieutenant governor include Legislative Finance Committee Vice-Chairman Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe, Mid-Region Council of Governments Executive Director Lawrence Rael, and state Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque.
        "I'm sure there's probably going to be other people interested in the position," Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, said Friday.
        "She'll have lots of options," agreed state Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colón.
        Colón's name has also been thrown into the mix, but the Albuquerque lawyer said Friday he's happy as chairman of the state party.
        "I'm always flattered when people mention me, but there's a lot of great candidates out there," Colón said.
        Denish is the automatic successor to the governor, should he leave. And New Mexico voters ratified a constitutional amendment earlier this month that allows the governor to fill a vacancy in the lieutenant governor's office. The appointee must then be confirmed by the state Senate.
        Some of the political insider discussion turns on whether Denish should pick someone likely to run for the post in two years as part of a ticket with her — giving that person a huge advantage — or select someone who pledges not to seek the post in the next election. That would open it up for competition in the party.
        The state previously had no established criteria for filling a lieutenant governor vacancy.
        It's easy to see why no such provision existed — a New Mexico governor hasn't vacated office before the end of a term in 46 years.
        Denish would become the first second-in-command to inherit the Governor's Office since Tom Bolack took over for Gov. Edwin Mechem in 1962.
        Denish wasn't in her Santa Fe office Friday, and aides said she isn't expected to return to the Capitol until next week. However, she did issue a statement through her office about the speculation on Richardson becoming commerce secretary.
        "He would be a great choice for America and for President-elect Obama," she said in the statement.
        Denish has spoken about the possibility of taking over for Richardson before, telling the Journal this summer, "If something should happen, I'm totally prepared."
        Colón said Friday he's also confident the transition from Richardson to Denish would be a smooth one.
        "If this were to happen, the lieutenant governor would be well positioned and very capable of stepping in," Colón said.