Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

On Monday morning, Aug. 27, 2018, Democrats brought their top-of-the-ticket candidates to Grant County to speak and rally the troops.

Prior to the arrival of Democrat gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham and lieutenant governor candidate Grant County's Senator Howie Morales, three candidates for the court of appeals were intriduced to the crowd at Q's Bistro.

Judge Briana Zamora, candidate for the court of appeals, said she serves as a district court judge in Bernalillo County. "I've dealt with about 20,000 cases in my career and 150 appellate cases. I was born and raised in New Mexico. I have a deep love of this state. As a candidate for judge, we have ethical restraints, so I can't canvas for votes, except for myself. But, I went up to our chief judge and asked why we can't have drug court funding. Why do all the other states have millions and millions of dollars? I applied for a grant, and we got it on the second try for almost a million dollars over the next three years. And I started the first and only Native American urban state court for healing and wellness. I also made sure for equal access for people on medically assisted treatment. They didn't have access to drug court before. "

When she was at metro court, she went to homeless shelters to help that population. "Their cases were only solved after they worked with a case worker, got the medical treatment they needed and made sure they had a bright future— a house, a home, medical treatment. I will continue to do what I can, as a judge to help the veteran community."

The next candidate for position 2 of the court of appeals was Jacqueline Medina, who grew up in Taos. "My mother worked as a librarian, so I grew up there. I went to school on scholarships, wanting to study law. I believe in applying the law fairly and correctly. I grew up feeling the law was unfair. When I got through law school, I had a decision to make—go private or government. I chose the latter and went back to Taos, where I entered public service as a children's court attorney. I found treatment programs when needed. I also worked as a prosecutor and after 7 ½ years as an assistant district attorney. I worked with Patricia Madrid for 16 years, so I have experience with appellate cases. I am running against a person who was appointed to the appellate court. I will apply the law in a fair manner."

Christina Bogardus is running for position 1 on the court of appeals. "We have five Democratic women running for five open positions. I started my legal career after being a medical technologist. I was a single mom and worried that I could take care of three children on that salary. I started law school the same week as my son started second grade. I was overwhelmed and worried I had made a huge mistake. But then my son said to me: 'Mom, once you find the bathrooms, everything is OK.' Absolutely true. That became my law school mantra. I had found a profession that worked with my brain. I started my legal career as an appellate court clerk. I've been 27 years in practice in Albuquerque. I've served as a special master, a mediator, an arbitrator, and 11 years as a hearing officer on our disciplinary board. It's been a great experience for me. I've seen the need for legal services for poor people across the state. I have earned my reputation of treating everyone involved in litigation fairly and equally. I love my practice, but this position opened up and I thought it would be fitting to return to the court of appeals where I began my career. I am an incredibly hard worker, and I have been deemed qualified for the position by the Bi-Partisan Judicial Nominating Commission."

New Mexico District 39 Representative Rodolpho "Rudy" Martinez is running for re-election. He said he would be remiss if he didn't mention the No. 1 Mariachi Band in the state, Mariachi Plata from Western New Mexico University, who played off and on during the morning.

"I want to continue to be your representative," Martinez said. "We're going to talk about the future of New Mexico, who will lead the opposite of what we have now, because of the,-what should I call it?- uneventful process by this administration. It's sad that they aren't supportive of teachers. I want to make sure the PARCC test is out of the state. New Mexico is one of three states that are using it. Get rid of it. We must recognize teachers as professionals. We have to make sure we have health care available for all New Mexicans. I hold dear to my heart a priority to make sure Medicare system is funded fully. With the help of our new governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, things will work out. We will have great opportunities to move New Mexico forward for everyone from seniors to children. Grant County is a Democratic county. You need to show it at the ballot box. Grab five or 10 friends to vote to keep the Republican from being governor. We've had enough of those policies."

Karen Whitlock is running to unseat District 38 Rep. Rebecca Dow. Frances Vasquez, who was moderating the event, said it is important for enough Democrats to vote in the election, "because the seat has been Republican for too many years."

"We've heard from several lawyers this morning," Whitlock said. "I'm a social worker, a WNMU graduate. I can't wait to be your first Democrat representative form District 38 when we turn it blue. It takes all of us to vote Democrat across the ballot. In education, the state is dead last. That is not acceptable. Health care is so important. Medicare is not good enough. People, even with Medicaid, can't afford their medications. It's not acceptable. We have to help out our rural hospitals. It's our job to fix it. Our democracy is at stake. Take 10 to 15 people with you to vote."

Javier "Harvey" Salas is running for County Commissioner District 2. "As long as you get all of you and all of your friends to make the commission Democratic again, we're good. I pledge to do the best I can to make Grant County what it should be, the best place to raise kids."

Chris Ponce, Democrat candidate for County Commissioner District 1, said he was born and raised in Grant County. "I've been a Democrat my whole life. I'm open-minded and ready to work hard. We need to get the state back on the right track. Let's get our state back. Let's get our county back."

Brian Colón, candidate for state auditor, said he was honored to be in Silver City. "We will have Michelle Lujan Grisham as our next governor. It's the first time I've ever seen our governor and lieutenant governor candidates take eight days out of their schedules to go to all 33 counties. A blue wave is coming."

Mariachi Plata played as Morales and Grisham arrived. Grisham danced her way out onto the patio.

"We appreciate your energy," Morales said. "We started out yesterday in southern New Mexico. We went to Anthony, Sunland Park, Las Cruces, this morning in Deming and then to Lordsburg. And here we are in beautiful Silver City, home of Western New Mexico University. The energy and momentum will continue with people like you. I want to recognize some people before I introduce our next governor."

He thanked Anthony Quintana, owner of Q's bistro for hosting the event, as a "homegrown individual who chose to have his small business here." He also introduced everyone who had already spoken.

"We are looking at issues from early childhood to higher education," Morales said. "We are calling this the leadership and jobs tour. We can't have jobs without a strong infrastructure to attract jobs."

He said he very much appreciated the chance to work again with Grisham. "When I went into the Senate, it was a hard year for us. We had lost Rep. Manny Herrera in the fall, and then we lost the longest-serving senator, Benny Altamirano, whom I replaced. Before Sen. Altamirao died, I had the pleasure to work with Grisham. She was Secretary of Health and wanted to make sure to keep Fort Bayard here and not move it to Las Cruces or somewhere else out of the county. She made sure Fort Bayard stayed here. It was my first opportunity to work with her. Little did I know that in 2018, we would be running together."

"It is my honor to introduce to you the next governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham," Morales said.

Grisham said she wants people to be inspired and excited. "How many people want to take the state back?" she shouted and received applause and screams of "Yes." "How many want to believe that good government creates an ecosystem for high quality education and real jobs no matter where in the state your live?" She said loudly and waited for the positive response. "How many of you are the leaders who will harness conservation, outdoorism, eco-tourism and renewable energy?" She again received an enthusiastic response.

"Other states around us are doing so well," Grisham said. "You know why? Because they have your money. We are sending our dollars to out-of-state people to do our work. We know what works. We must invest in local businesses, so we aren't the doughnut hole. We should be the whole damn doughnut."

She said she had been talking to people in states around New Mexico. "Everyone around us thinks of us, not as a state that's struggling, but as a state without leadership. Everyone is waiting for us to lead. We are the only campaign that had detailed plans."

She said her late husband grew up in a house and went to public school where his mother was a counselor. "Our daughter bought that house and she is raising my granddaughter there. She will go to the same school her grandfather went to and be taught by the same teacher she met through her father."

"These stories matter," Grisham said. "Our opponents don't believe in an economic vision that benefits all New Mexicans. They don't believe in public lands. They don't believe in conservation or public education. They don't believe we have the ability to deliver high-quality affordable health care. They don't believe health care is a right, not a privilege."

She said she was really excited. "We will use Medicaid to pay for doctors' education, certification and residency. We are not going to wait for the federal government. I want to make it clear we will work for you. When we are elected, Howie Morales will be the only lieutenant governor in the country with a public education, background and expertise. We're a damn good team."

"This is what we need you to do," Grisham continued. "It's 72 days until the election. It seems like a long time, but I've been running for two years. It has been the joy of my life. How lucky am I to be running for governor of the state I love? We need New Mexicans to show up to vote. Bring your neighbors, friends, people from the post office, people from everywhere. If we show up, we win. If we don't show up, it will be a precariously close race. It's a competitive race. Two years ago, we were in a fragile economy. People were feeling insecure. Two years later we're seeing a heightened energy. Maggie wants you walking, recruiting, your energy. We need a dedicated movement in this state so We. Take. Our. State. Back. And make it work for us."

Howie said they realize that in order to have a strong state government, they need strong local governments. "We must win Grant County big."

The two of them then visited and chatted with individuals.

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