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Front Page
opinion editorials
Friday, May 16, 2008
State Senate Picks
DISTRICT 9, Sen. Steve Komadina: As a practicing physician since 1977, Komadina is a reliable voice on health-care reform. He favors tax credits to allow individuals to buy insurance, rather than government-run health care.
Komadina, 62, speaks for many New Mexicans when he identifies the economy and jobs as top-priority issues, followed by health care, education and public safety. He would like to see a more rigorous public school curriculum and pay incentives for high-performing teachers.
The Corrales Republican's otherwise laudable record is marred by lack of commitment to strengthening measures to ensure open government and ethical conduct by officials.
District 9 covers parts of Bernalillo, Rio Rancho and Corrales. The winner of the Republican primary faces Democrat John M. Sapien on Nov. 4. Republicans should hold on to Sen. Steve Komadina.
DISTRICT 10
A strong supporter of open government, Davis' priorities include adopting health-care reform that takes the best of the three systems proposed last session, leveling the playing field for local businesses in the global marketplace, and supplementing criminal penalties with adequate drug, alcohol and mental-health treatment.
Davis has the know-how to help turn his ideas into realities. Democrats in this diverse district that extends west from the far Northeast Heights through Los Ranchos and Corrales into Rio Rancho should put Joel Davis on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
Ryan believes the one-two punch of inadequate schools and high taxes frustrate attempts to recruit industry to New Mexico and to retain the state's brightest high school graduates. Cutting taxes will create jobs, he says; raising standards, increasing school choice and demanding that more education dollars be channeled to classrooms will improve education.
The Journal recommends a vote for John Ryan in the GOP primary.
DISTRICT 11, Michael Padilla: A political newcomer, Padilla made a name for himself as founding director of the city's popular 311 help line. At 35, he uses his background in telecommunications to operate a call center management company.
To represent residents of the South Valley and Southwest Mesa, Padilla would focus on getting “our fair share of services,” including schools, libraries, swimming pools, community centers and senior centers. He sees expanded health care as an urgent priority, and he supports measures to ensure open government and ethics reform.
Padilla would like to put an end to social promotions in grade schools. He supports higher pay for teachers and school support staff.
To tackle DWI, he would expand treatment options but favors stricter law enforcement. He sees a need for better public transportation.
The winner of District 11's Democratic primary faces no Republican opposition in November.
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