Posted on 03/17/2002 1:17:20 PM PST by CedarDave
Sunday, March 17, 2002
Rep. Sanchez to Top GOP Ballot
By Loie Fecteau Journal Politics Writer
SOCORRO — State Rep. John Sanchez, a freshman legislator, scored a decisive victory on Saturday over Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley and other Republican gubernatorial candidates to claim top ballot position in the June 4 GOP primary election.
"I think it was a huge upset," said Sanchez, an Albuquerque Republican, after the state Republican pre-primary nominating convention at New Mexico Tech. "Nobody expected us to do this. ... I think Republicans sent a clear signal today that they want to unite behind a candidate."
Sanchez received 54 percent of 650 votes cast by GOP delegates at the pre-primary convention. Bradley, a former state senator from Clovis who has been lieutenant governor since 1995, received 28 percent of the vote and will be listed in second position on the GOP primary ballot behind Sanchez.
Afterward, Bradley downplayed his second place finish.
"The first place that matters is June 4," Bradley said, referring to the primary election. "That's what's important. I'm ecstatic about getting on the ballot, which is what this (the convention) is all about."
The other three Republican gubernatorial candidates — state Rep. Rob Burpo of Albuquerque, former Albuquerque radio talk show host Larry Ahrens, and retired National Guard Brig. Gen. Gilbert S. Baca of Santa Fe — failed to receive the necessary 20 percent to claim automatic berths on the primary election ballot.
Burpo and Baca said they planned to submit additional nominating petition signatures, which is another route to getting on the June 4 primary election ballot. Ahrens said he wanted to talk to his wife, Susan, before making a decision about whether he would stay in the GOP gubernatorial race.
In voting for other offices:
* 2nd Congressional District: Former state Rep. Steve Pearce of Hobbs capped the field in a crowded six-way race for the seat held by longtime Republican Rep. Joe Skeen, who is retiring. Pearce received 36 percent of 217 votes cast to earn the top ballot position. Roswell businessman Phelps Anderson came in second with 26 percent, while Ed Tinsley, a Capitan rancher and owner of the K-Bob's Steakhouse restaurant chain, came in third with 22 percent. C. Earl Greer, a farm and ranch broker from Truth or Consequences, former state Rep. Andy Kissner of Las Cruces, and Lincoln County Commissioner Leo Martinez failed to get 20 percent, but said they plan to submit additional nominating petitions to get on the ballot that way.
* Lieutenant governor: State Sen. Rod Adair of Roswell claimed top ballot position. Adair received 42.5 percent of votes cast. State Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russell of Rio Rancho came in second with 37.5 percent. Former state Sen. Bill Davis of Albuquerque received 19.9 percent and just missed getting an automatic primary ballot spot.
* Commissioner of Public Lands: State Sen. Patrick Lyons of Cuervo won the top ballot position with 51 percent. Rick Lopez of Santa Fe came in second with 49 percent.
Republicans also endorsed these candidates who were unopposed at the convention: Sen. Pete Domenici; Rep. Heather Wilson in the 1st Congressional District; Sharon Clahchischilliage of Cudei for secretary of state; former state Sen. Tom Benavides of Albuquerque for state auditor; state Corrections Secretary Rob Perry for attorney general; and Judge Roderick Kennedy of Albuquerque for Court of Appeals, a position to which he was recently appointed.
During the GOP convention, Sanchez and the other gubernatorial candidates took numerous pot shots at Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Richardson, the former New Mexico congressman, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and U.S. Energy secretary.
"Nominate me, and we'll send Bill Richardson back to Washington, D.C., unemployed," Sanchez said.
Bradley said: "Do the Republicans of this state want Bill Richardson standing between the Legislature and their wallets — there's a nightmare."
State GOP chief John Dendahl said after the convention that Sanchez "showed some pretty impressive organizational talent" by his first-place finish.
Sanchez noted during his convention speech that he won his position in the state House by defeating longtime former House Speaker Raymond Sanchez, D-Albuquerque, in District 15 in 2000.
"The giant killer is back," quipped Jay McCleskey, Sanchez's campaign manager, after Sanchez secured the top position on the GOP primary election ballot for governor.
Copyright 2002 Albuquerque Journal
The first Hispanic governor will be named Sanchez, but it won't be a Texan!
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