Hotline Futures Market: New Mexico

What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives.

Two up-and-coming young firebrands leap out at us in NM, one on each side of the aisle. Both were described as biding their time until their office of choice opens up. One is a county sheriff, an office from which many GOPers seem to move up, and another is the chair of the state's Public Regulatory Commis. and son of the current Speaker of the House. Both have the personality, the profile and the connections to make serious bids for fed or statewide office as soon as they choose to do so. [REID WILSON]

The stars we've been watching since '03:

• Ex-State Sen. Ramsay Gorham (R): Now living in NC and no longer involved in NM politics.
• US Atty David Iglesias (R): An "excellent" atty, some "see great things in David's future." His refusal to talk about his own future impresses some, though it concerns others that he's lost interest in a future bid.
• State Land Commis. Patrick Lyons (R): Facing a tough re-election in '06, "he's a good match for that particular office," but some are "not sure where he'll go from there."
• '02 Gov nom. John Sanchez (R): After losing to Gov. Bill Richardson (D) by a large margin, he'd "have a lot of catching up to do to get back in the game."
• Businessman Ed Tinsley (R): After losing in the primary to Rep. Steve Pearce (R) in '02, "I wouldn't be a bit surprised" if he ran eventually for a statewide office. He wasn't hurt by his previous bid and proved that he could raise the money to compete.
• State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia (D): The Sen. Maj. Whip, she's "very dynamic" but "safe and secure in her" seat, "and she'll probably stay there."
• State Rep. Al Park (D): Park had considered a bid for AG but dropped out due to poor name recognition. His sizable war chest means his plans to run for AG down the road aren't out of the question, but he's "hit a plateau in the short run."




• Lobbyist Richard Romero (D): After losing bids for Congress against Rep. Heather Wilson (R) in NM 01, he's now a lobbyist, and while all agree he's "a popular fellow," his elective career is most likely finished.
• Dona Anna Co. Dem chair Jeff Steinborne (D): A former aide to Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D), Steinborne lost races for Congress and State Rep. in '04. He's now running for State Rep. again and is in the process of stepping down from his post as Co. chair.

• Bernalillo Co. Sheriff Darren White (R): A very popular sheriff, "everybody likes Darren." He worked as the Secretary of Public Safety under ex-NM Gov. Gary Johnson (R) and "will run for office somewhere down the road." "One of the best candidates the" GOP "could put up."
• State Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort (R): A late entry into the race for LG, she has "a good track record" in the Sen and "we look for big things from her." She's an "unproven" candidate, but one with potential.
• State Rep. Justine Fox Young (R): A freshman in her late 20's, the moderate Ivy League grad is "going to have a lot of staying power and she's going to be around for a long, long time."
• State Rep. Brian Moore (R): As a member of the Approps Cmte who works well with legislators from both sides, "he'd have a lot of support if he wanted to run for a statewide race." "I'd put my money on him."
• State Rep. Joe Cervantes (D): The chair of the House Jud Cmte, he's considered a possible future candidate for AG or Congress in Rep. Steve Pearce's (R) NM 02 seat.
• Ex-Gov. Richardson counsel Geno Zamora (D): Just 36 years old, he's considered a strong candidate but a slight underdog in the Dem primary for AG against ex-State Rep. Gary King.
• Public Regulation Commis. Chair Ben Ray Lujan (D): The son of the current Speaker of the State House, Lojan is "young, gregarious and charming." Thanks to his connections, a future bid is "a when, not if, thing."
• Ex-Santa Fe Co. Commis. Javier Gonzales (D): The former pres. of the Nat'l Assoc. of Counties briefly considered a bid for Santa Fe Mayor and will almost certainly make a bid for NM 03 when Rep. Tom Udall (D) moves on. He's "always talked about locally."
• Albuquerque City Council Pres. Martin Heinrich (D): A strong environmentalist in his early 30s, Heinrich considered a bid for Land Commis. before passing and is thought of as "a real smart guy."
• Assist Sec. for Econ Devel. Eric Griego (D): A former Albuquerque City Councilmember, he lost a bid for mayor. In Richardson's office, though, he's spearheaded a number of initiatives including a proposed space port which is currently getting a lot of press. "You'll see his name pop up again."