the public life
State Sen. John Grubesic isn't faring too well in the public eye. I wonder if he will survive this and continue on in his nascent career. My guess is no, but other public officials have managed so maybe I'll be wrong. Just for the hell of it, off the top of my head, here's my:
TOP 10 NORTHERN NEW MEXICO POLITICIANS WHO GARNERED PUBLIC WRATH OR GOT IN HOT WATER FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER (in no particular order)
1. DEBBIE JARAMILLO, FORMER SANTA FE MAYOR
Jaramillo's rise and fall is probably one of the most intriguing of recent northern New Mexico history. She's yet to win her way back into public office however.
2. TOM FIORINO, FORMER SANTA FE CITY JUDGE
Also an intriguing character, and despite all the various controversies, Fiorino made a very strong showing when he ran for County Treasurer
3. ERIC SERNA FORMER PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION
Gets to go down in history has having helped elect a right-wing Republican to represent NM's 3rd district in Congress. Still, not an elected official, but there's worse jobs than Supt. Of Insurance. Although he's still managed to garner attention for conflicts of interest. Serna actually came pretty close to tears at a press conference I attended years ago when he was talking about allegations against him. here's one link about Serna.
4. FRAN GALLEGOS, CURRENT SANTA FE CITY JUDGE
High-profile ethics violations, but she's still muni judge. Re-elected in her last race. As for her future political aspirations, read SFR tommorrow.
5. MATT ORTIZ, SANTA FE CITY COUNCILOR
Won re-election, but his opponent did pretty well considering. Ortiz has a health excuse for his behavior, although it's unclear how much that plays with the public.
6. DAVID PFEFFER, SANTA FE CITY COUNCILOR
Santa Feans will forgive a lot, but they probably won't forgive someone purporting to be a liberal actually turning out to be conservative
7. PHIL GRIEGO, STATE SENATOR
I guess the public used to be more forgiving of public officals who drive drunk. At least when they stop.
8. CHARLES MAESTAS, FORMER ESPANOLA JUDGE
I think he might have a hard time getting back into public life. going to prison usually means your career is over.
9. DAVID CHAVEZ, FORMER RIO ARRIBA COUNTY CLERK
Another one of Gov. Richardson's not-so-swift appointments. I love how it's presented as if the news surfaced that Chavez was convicted of a felony. Like it was a secret. OK, granted, I know about this because I was a witness to the grand jury for this particular case (and a reporterr in Rio Arriba at the time), but doesn't the governor's office have any means of doing background checks? C'mon.
10. OK, I've run out of steam and can't decide who my 10th pick is. Richardson? Naranjo? Peso? What do you think? Who else am I forgetting?
TOP 10 NORTHERN NEW MEXICO POLITICIANS WHO GARNERED PUBLIC WRATH OR GOT IN HOT WATER FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER (in no particular order)
1. DEBBIE JARAMILLO, FORMER SANTA FE MAYOR
Jaramillo's rise and fall is probably one of the most intriguing of recent northern New Mexico history. She's yet to win her way back into public office however.
2. TOM FIORINO, FORMER SANTA FE CITY JUDGE
Also an intriguing character, and despite all the various controversies, Fiorino made a very strong showing when he ran for County Treasurer
3. ERIC SERNA FORMER PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION
Gets to go down in history has having helped elect a right-wing Republican to represent NM's 3rd district in Congress. Still, not an elected official, but there's worse jobs than Supt. Of Insurance. Although he's still managed to garner attention for conflicts of interest. Serna actually came pretty close to tears at a press conference I attended years ago when he was talking about allegations against him. here's one link about Serna.
4. FRAN GALLEGOS, CURRENT SANTA FE CITY JUDGE
High-profile ethics violations, but she's still muni judge. Re-elected in her last race. As for her future political aspirations, read SFR tommorrow.
5. MATT ORTIZ, SANTA FE CITY COUNCILOR
Won re-election, but his opponent did pretty well considering. Ortiz has a health excuse for his behavior, although it's unclear how much that plays with the public.
6. DAVID PFEFFER, SANTA FE CITY COUNCILOR
Santa Feans will forgive a lot, but they probably won't forgive someone purporting to be a liberal actually turning out to be conservative
7. PHIL GRIEGO, STATE SENATOR
I guess the public used to be more forgiving of public officals who drive drunk. At least when they stop.
8. CHARLES MAESTAS, FORMER ESPANOLA JUDGE
I think he might have a hard time getting back into public life. going to prison usually means your career is over.
9. DAVID CHAVEZ, FORMER RIO ARRIBA COUNTY CLERK
Another one of Gov. Richardson's not-so-swift appointments. I love how it's presented as if the news surfaced that Chavez was convicted of a felony. Like it was a secret. OK, granted, I know about this because I was a witness to the grand jury for this particular case (and a reporterr in Rio Arriba at the time), but doesn't the governor's office have any means of doing background checks? C'mon.
10. OK, I've run out of steam and can't decide who my 10th pick is. Richardson? Naranjo? Peso? What do you think? Who else am I forgetting?
posted by Julia at 11:35 AM
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