Elections of County Democratic Party Officials

Today at Cibola High School on the Westside of the city the democratic central committee met to elect county officials.

Lt. Governor Diane Denish was there to make it known that she was looking forward to being this states next governor. State Treasurer James B. Lewis was every present as the party cheerleaders. State Party Chairman Brian Colón made it clear that he feels his work as state party chairman is not yet complete and he wants to be reelected in April of this year. If his past achievements are any indicator he should have no problem getting reelected this year. Congressman Martin Heinrich sent his greetings but had to be in Washington D.C. do the job we sent him there to do today. He has been doing a great service for our state and we support him completely.

A few judges and a few state representatives were also present at the start of the meeting. I spoke a few minutes with State Senator Tim Eichenberg before the meeting stated. Senator Eichenberg is one of our new state senators and he did a great job at the round house this year. We need more elected officials like him in the roundhouse so that we can make progress in the future. District Court Judge Alan Malott and District Court Judge Beatrice Brickhouse were present at the first of the meeting. Both will be running in contested races for their seats in the future and should enjoy the support of the party come the next election. Mayoral Candidate Richard Romero was also there to let the party know that he cares about the voters and their issues and does not place himself above them. Richard Romero has always been an active democrat and does very well at working with his party.

The results of the election for county chairperson was clear cut and direct, Ana Canales was elected with 100% of the vote and had no one who would run against her. First Chair went to Victor Raigoza with his financial training the party should do well this year with fundraising.

The platform was voted for as a package. There were three floor amendments added at the last minute. The first one to fail was a vote to do away completely with the platform. Clearly the Gay and Lesbian members of our party are very angry that the partnership bill did not pass this year and they felt that if our elected official could not support the party platform then why have one in the first place? The second one would have done away with divorce since the church does not approve of it. It also failed to pass. The third and only one to pass was in support of Gay and Lesbian marriage. The Gay and Lesbian members of our party will not forget this years vote on partnerships very quickly and a few conservative democrats may find their offices at risk because of their vote on this issue in four years from now. State Senator Cisco McSorley will not have a problem because he introduced the bill for partnership in the first place. Maybe Cisco will have a few new progressive state senators who will replace conservatives in four years from now.

My personal view on the matter is that the state should not be in the business of handing out licenses to marry in the first place. Marriage is a church activity and the state has no business in the regulation of any religious activity in the first place. I support my gay and lesbian friends who wish to have committed relationships because I think they deserve to be as happy as I was with my husband. I still think it is my church’s right to say no to any couple that they wish to now and in the future. Each church should be allowed to provide the services for their members based on their faith and not to be order by the government to practice or not practice any rite that would violent their beliefs. Freedom of religion is a constitutional right and should be respected by all in this country.