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Journal North: Home | Sports | Opinion | Obits | Entertainment
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Hopefuls Question Other's Experience
By Raam Wong
Journal Staff Writer
One candidate used to deliver pizzas; the other sold title insurance. And now the two are duking it out over who is more qualified to sit on a powerful state commission.
The battle began last week when Green Party candidate Rick Lass challenged his Democratic opponent Jerome Block Jr. to a series of debates. The candidates are vying for the northern New Mexico seat on the Public Regulation Commission, whose various duties range from pipeline safety to pocketbook issues, such as by how much utilities can hike energy bills.
Block responded to the challenge in an e-mail Tuesday that was forwarded to reporters.
"Regardless of your motivation or agenda in conducting debates, I do not intend my campaign schedule to be influenced by a minor party candidate who had to be 'drafted to run,' " Block wrote.
"You and your supporters tout you as the 'qualified candidate,' " the Democrat continued. "While there is nothing wrong with your real-life experiences and employment as a pizza delivery person and a food market clerk, I do not feel it qualifies you to be a PRC commissioner. You mention, repeatedly, your advocacy for voting initiatives. Perhaps you are not aware that the PRC does not deal with voting issues. Perhaps you would consider applying your self-professed talents to running for county clerk in 2012."
Block's comments echo a similar spat during this year's Democratic primary race for northern New Mexico's congressional seat. Developer Don Wiviott attacked PRC member Ben Ray Luján for having little experience other than working as a blackjack dealer before being elected to the commission.
Organized labor groups and other Luján supporters criticized Wiviott for being "elitist" and insulting to working people. Luján has endorsed Block for his PRC seat. A Luján spokesman did not return calls for comment Wednesday.
Asked Wednesday if his comments could be read as denigrating to working people, Block responded, "No sir. Not at all. There's nothing wrong with holding those kinds of positions."
Asked what qualified him for the seat, Block responded: "I work well with people. I'm from this area."
Block also said his recent work as a sales manager for a title insurance company would serve him well on the commission, which regulates the industry.
Lass responded Wednesday in an open letter to Block.
"Your only qualification seems to be your employment by the title insurance industry, which represents an enormous conflict of interest given the PRC sets the price of title insurance in New Mexico," he wrote. "How can the voters trust you to represent them on rate hearings involving an industry for which you were on the payroll and may still be?"
Block said Wednesday he left the title insurance job for the campaign. Lass is a graduate of St. John's College and is now the director of Voting Matters, an election-reform organization.
Lass also suggested he has been more forthcoming than Block concerning their run-ins with the law. Lass has previously disclosed his 1999 arrest and subsequent guilty plea for simple battery. Lass acknowledges he crossed the line and made threatening, angry statements toward his girlfriend but denies ever physically assaulting her. Lass said he went through anger management classes after the incident.
Meanwhile, Block failed to fully acknowledge criminal charges of disorderly conduct and aggravated DWI, as well as charges related to riding with a drunken driver, on a Journal questionnaire during the primary campaign in May.
Lass said in his letter Wednesday: "We've both made mistakes — that is human. I took responsibility for mine, got help, and have been open about it in communicating with the media. You handled (and continue to handle) your situation much differently. Can voters be assured you have the maturity to hold such an important public office?
"The voters deserve to hear these questions answered in an open public forum," Lass wrote. "My guess is that you are ducking the debates because you think your chances for election are better if you keep voters in the dark about your lack of qualifications and record of public service and instead rely on the name of your father and the coattails of others. I guess that worked for you in the Democratic Party Primary."
Block, the son of former PRC member Jerome Block, said he prefers a "grass-roots approach" over engaging in a debate with Lass. There is no Republican in the race.
Meanwhile, at least two of Block's opponents in the six-way Democratic primary have not publicly said who, if anyone, they support.
"When certain issues are brought to the forefront to the point where they overshadow a campaign, I think everyone steps back and becomes hesitant in getting involved with a candidate who has negative character issues," Española Mayor Joseph Maestas said when asked why he hadn't endorsed Block.
Santa Fe lawyer Bruce Throne said he was dismayed by the tenor of the general election campaign.
"This is just sort of gutter ball now," he said. "This is not contribution to a good public discussion."
Both Throne and Maestas said a debate between the two PRC candidates was in the best interest of voters.
Gov. Bill Richardson has yet to endorse a candidate, either. However, his spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said Richardson hasn't given his nod in any of the PRC races around the state.
Lass met with Richardson last week.
"Mr. Block has requested a meeting, and the governor will meet with him, as well," Gallegos said.