Free Republic

John Dendahl, the firebrand conservative who ... [ran] as the GOP's nominee for governor, is leaving New Mexico. His reasons: family considerations and what he says is widespread corruption and the refusal of most public leaders to stand up to it. Gov. Bill Richardson, who trounced Dendahl in 2006, was a prime target of Dendahl's criticism. He said Richardson "has expanded what I think is corrupt conduct in government in New Mexico and people of New Mexico have accepted it." "To govern through intimidation and fear and retaliation is corrupt conduct. ... To me, corruption goes beyond breaking laws. It's...

Emergency Medical Technicians were across the street from the Bernalillo bank parking where Paige McKenzie was attacked. An ambulance took her quickly to the University of New Mexico Hospital. And McKenzie counts among her friends a New Mexico sheriff and a GOP gubernatorial candidate. But there are no clues as to who may have attacked McKenzie or why. She remained at the University of New Mexico Hospital today. McKenzie, a spokeswoman for Republican John Dendahl, was assaulted Wednesday night as she drove home. She apparently stopped to fix a flat tire around 7:20 p.m. when she was attacked, said Bernalillo...

ALBUQUERQUE, July 19 — A third political party seldom rises to a level much beyond annoyance to Republicans and Democrats. That is clearly not the case in New Mexico, where the Green Party has achieved so much power that its leaders say both major parties this year have tried to exploit it for their electoral advantage. One offer, they said, came from Republicans this month, a promise of at least $100,000 if the Greens fielded candidates in two House races as a way to hurt Democratic chances. The other, they said, came from Democrats in January, a suggestion of helping...