Rio Arriba County Democrats are sticking by Gov. Bill Richardson, despite the weekend news that he is withdrawing as Commerce Secretary nominee because of a pending corruption investigation.
“More than anything, I just feel bad about it, for him,” state Democratic Party Vice Chair Annadelle Sanchez, of Española, said. “I’m hopeful he will be cleared.”
Sanchez and others doubted the incident will hurt the Democratic party — or Lt. Governor Diane Denish’s chances of taking the governor’s seat in 2010. As long as Richardson was poised to join president-elect Barack Obama’s cabinet, Denish was in line to take over the governorship and run as an incumbent in the next election.
“I think she’s learned enough by now that she’ll make an excellent candidate for governor,” Rio Arriba County Commission Chairman Alfredo Montoya said. “She’s been very attentive to (Rio Arriba), she’s visited us.”
Montoya said the state could feel Richardson’s withdrawal in one big and specific way — the millions lost in potential pork.
As commerce secretary, Richardson would have controlled thousands of jobs and planned multi-million-dollar economic development projects, Montoya said. And once in Washington, D.C., he would have likely shared the wealth with New Mexico.
“I think he would’ve worked to channel some of those opportunities here,” Montoya said. “He would’ve put New Mexico on the map, and benefits would’ve come to us as a result.”
Chimayó native Carlos Trujillo, who ran political operations for Richardson from 2004 through 2008, took a different tack. He said although the news is unfortunate, it’s still New Mexico’s gain. Richardson may be heavy-handed at times, but he’s a strong leader who will focus on the tasks at hand, Trujillo said.
Trujillo said Richardson has been through tough times before in his political life, like the security-breach scandal that rocked the Los Alamos National Laboratory while Richardson was energy secretary.
“People who write him off or underestimate him don’t know who Bill Richardson is,” Trujillo said.
The local person perhaps most directly affected by the news is Española Mayor Joseph Maestas, who was chosen by Denish last month to lead a transition advisory team charged with examining the state’s transportation and infrastructure programs.
This job would have likely led to an appointment in Denish’s government.
Maestas said he has been directed to stay on schedule and complete his assigned task. That means submitting a report by Jan. 15 with recommendations.
Maestas said he learned of Richardson’s withdrawal while watching television news Sunday.
“I wasn’t completely surprised,” he said. “I hate speculation, but I had been hearing that Governor Richardson’s confirmation (by the United States Senate) would be delayed.”
Maestas said he’s sure Richardson’s decision to withdraw was prompted by developments in the grand jury investigation, but he hasn’t heard anything specific.