Governors race could get crowded
The 2018 general election is nearly two years away, but it appears we’ve already hit the starting line.
At least a half-dozen New Mexico Democrats have expressed interest in running for governor in two years, a list that includes Attorney General Hector Balderas, U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., and state Sen. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces.
Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales added his name to the mix in recent days, saying he’s “reflecting” on a possible gubernatorial bid, partly because of concerns that the state is not properly funding education.
Other potential candidates have also emerged, including media executive Jeff Apodaca, the son of former Gov. Jerry Apodaca, and Santa Fe businessman Alan Webber, who sought the Democratic Party nomination for governor in 2014.
Read more: https://www.abqjournal.com/906519/governors-race-could-get-crowded.html
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a crowded Democratic field. The best candidate, in my opinion, was Alan Webber, who didn't stand a chance in a crowded primary field against Gary King. the son of former Governor Bruce King. In New Mexico name recognition and who you are related to is enormous. Among the reasons corruption in this state is so rampant is that so many people in any sort of public office (elected or otherwise) are related to each other. Even those who aren't directly related probably know each other, went to school together, have mothers who know each other very well. And so there is almost never a clean slate.
With Alan Webber, the chance of a clean slate was there. But he did very badly in the primary, because Gary King had not only the name recognition but the all important connection in politics.
Now that Senator Tom Udall has decided to stay in the Senate and not run for Governor, it's a wide open race.
One of the things I find a bit odd about this state is that there never seems to be any sort of development of candidates, people who run for one office, serve, and then run for a somewhat higher office. It's all quite hit and miss.
Maybe that's what it's like everywhere. 
