3rd Congressional Seat Developments

New Mexico's Third Congressional District race is unique this year, in what is one of the state's most unique election years in history. It is the only race to feature a prominent 3rd party candidate in Independent Carol Miller. Carol has thus far been shut out of many debates and candidate forums, even though she has a history of impacting elections as a green party candidate. Miller will participate in a joint forum that we are airing along with the other two PBS stations on October 16th at 7pm. But, even that came together last minute, which means that Miller's name was not included in our Ventana viewer guide, that is sent out to our members all across the state. We have to send those guides to the printers pretty early, but it is unfortunate that her name is not there so that people know that her voice will be heard in at least one debate this year. We also want to make sure that people know we plan to interview Miller for New Mexico in Focus sometime in the coming days and weeks. Details are still being worked out.

But the strangeness that is CD3 does not end there. There is also a write-in candidate vying for this seat. Dave Starr claims he has done everything required to get on the ballot, and yet his name is not on the Secretary of State's website yet. Starr's camp just sent out this press release to us today explaining his take on things.

PRESS RELEASE

October 1, 2008

Is Starr still in the race?

Dave Starr, write-in candidate for the District 3 Congressional seat, is not sure.

By the deadline in early September, Starr filed the appropriate paperwork to be a write-in candidate. On September 19 Starr was contacted by the League of Women Voters and asked if he was still a candidate. He responded “Yes”. The League representative said Starr was not listed on the Secretary of State’s web page and that the League could not reach anybody in the Secretary’s office by phone to confirm. And without confirmation the League could not put Starr’s name on their literature, which was to go out soon. It was suggested that Starr contact the Secretary of State’s office and ask.

On September 25 Starr hand carried a letter to the Secretary of States office, asking pointed questions, including whether he was still a candidate. To this date, he has not received any notice to the contrary. Nor has he received any confirmation.

On September 30 Starr went to the Secretary of State’s office asking for a response to his letter. He was told by a staff member that his letter had been sent to the State Attorney General’s office. Starr then asked why his name was not on the Secretary of State’s web page and if he was still a candidate. The answer was that they could not say but that there should be a decision by the Attorney General’s office by Friday (October 3).

Starr, who has negative feelings about politics in New Mexico, has been campaigning for the last five months. He says politics in the state are politics by the elite, not the majority. He also says he believes the last 3 to 4 critical weeks have been a setback for him, because news sources and those sponsoring debates did not know he was a candidate, since he was not on the Secretary of State’s web page.

Starr says he has no idea what is to come but he believes his fight is a fight for “Government of the people, for the people, and by the people.

We will follow up with the Secretary of State's office to see what develops here. In the meantime be sure to mark your calendar for our CD3 Debate with Carol Miller, Dan East and Ben Ray Lujan Jr. It will take place on THursday, October 16th from 7-8pm, and will be followed by live analysis and opinions frorm our regular LINE panelists.

The Public Affairs Team