With a month to go this is Get Out The Vote Time. This issue includes info on three key races with strongly progressive Democratic candidates facing very tough House races. The margin will be razor thin and so your calls, donations, or canvassing can make all the difference.  

In 2014, historically low voter turnout resulted in seven key loses with margins of less than 500 votes and this gave the GOP the House. It is time to retake it.  But that can only happen if you get involved. NOW.  This issue includes info on three key races, ways you can donate, and contact information so you can phone bank from home.  In addition, this issue includes links to:

• Analysis of Constitutional Amendment One which would enable judges to release non-violent, low-risk individuals so that they don’t languish in jail for months because they are poor.
• Information on a fundraiser and meet and greet in Santa Fe for arturo-fierro-fundraiser, one of our Progressive Champions.
• Information on a fundraiser and meet and greet in Albuquerque for our other two Progressive Champions: Liz Thompson & Natalie Figueroa Fundraiser for Liz & Natalie.
• How to Boycott the Bad Guys and Support the Good Guys with A Better World Shopping Guide to inform your consumer choices.  Voting with your wallet by using A Better World will now be a weekly feature of Retake the Roundhouse and this issue focuses on banking and credit card options. Some surprises here. And lastly two events of note:
  • Thursday, October 13, 5:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Returning Democracy to We the People: a Discussion about Money in Politics. Senator Tom Udall; Viki Harrison, Director, Common Cause NM; and Bruce Berlin, author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America. Moderated by League of Women Voters New Mexico President Dr. Meredith Machen. Collected Works, 202 Galisteo St., Santa Fe.
  • Monday, October 17, 6:30 p.m. Democracy Organizing Committee Meeting. La Farge Library Community Room, 1730 Llano St., Santa Fe, NM. Meeting will feature a report on the recent National Citizens Leadership Conference sponsored by American Promise in Washington, DC, and how we can work together on a 28th Amendment to overturn Citizens United.

Meet Three Progressive Champions Who Need Your Support NOW                                         Arturo Fierro HD 7, Liz Thompson HD 20, and Natalie Figueroa HD 24

HD 7:  Valencia County.  A Democrat-leaning district with 53% of voters voting for Obama in 2012. Incumbent Fajardo won by only 400 votes in 2012. Brian Egolf stated in March that this is a seat Democrats could win. But Fierro has little money and faces a candidate getting big PAC dollars. He needs our support. To contribute to Arturo’s campaign or to phone bank on his behalf from home, contact Chad Jones (505) 699-8183.  There is a meet and greet with Arturo at the home of Mariel Nanasi and Jeff Haas on Oct 19. For more information, arturo-fierro-fundraiser.  If you can’t attend this event and want to contribute, make checks out to “Committee to Elect Arturo Fierro” and mail to Fierro Campaign, P.O. Box 547, Tesuque, NM 87574.  Info on the race follows.

Democratic Candidate: Arturo Fierro

• Endorsed by Working Families Party, SWOP Action, AFSCME, NEA NM, & AFT NM
• Opposes Right to Work, the death penalty, using test scores in teacher evaluations
• Supports creating an Ethics Commission, using permanent funds to expand funding to early childhood, increasing investment in job-creation and entrepreneurship, and increasing taxes on the top 1%
• Young Latino who is new to politics, a Veteran, and social worker.

Republican Candidate: Kelly Fajardo

• Right-to-Lifer
• Voted to reinstate the death penalty at the special session
• Very pro-business, serving on the Board of the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce
• One of the lowest ranked members of the House by Conservation Voters of NM, with a 17% approval rating for 2015-16 and a 12% lifetime score. Clearly not very green.
• Endorsed by the NRA and big supporter of their efforts to prevent all limitations on gun access

HD 24: Albuquerque’s east side/mid-town. Open seat (incumbent Republican Conrad James is retiring from the House).

To phone bank for Liz from home contact Eric Castillo, 505-948-9910 or eric@lizthompson.org

Democratic candidate Liz Thomson. In 2012, who narrowly lost in 2014. District leans Democratic so we can get this.

• Pediatric physical therapist.
• Progressive champion when she served in the House in 2013-2014
• Committed to helping families impacted by autism thrive.
• Named Legislative Champion by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for her efforts to reduce DWI fatalities.

Republican Candidate: Christina Hall

• Handpicked to run by Republican establishment and House Majority Leader Nate Gentry
• Most of her campaign contributions are from big, out-of-state corporations
• Endorsed by the National Rifle Association and Right to Life Committee. 

HD 30: Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights. GOP-Held. House District race against Republican Majority Leader. Tilts Dem-performing.

Dem Candidate: Natalie Figueroa

To phone bank from home for Natalie: Ralph Figueroa (505) 401-7656. Phone is quicker, or also volunteers.nataliefornewmexico@gmail.com

• Raising the minimum wage – phasing it to $15
• Against death penalty
• Supports aid-in-dying legislation
• Supports open primaries
• Opposes Right to Work
• Educator for 25 years; teaches Spanish at Volcano Vista.
• Master teacher, who also serves as a Mentor Teacher for UNM’s School of Education
• Longtime volunteer work locally, as well as in service projects in Nicaragua, Tanzania and Costa Rica

Republican Incumbent: Nate Gentry

Like a few other Republicans, running as if he’s a Democrat, despite a conservative voting record and a campaign account teeming with special interest money (including more than $50,000 from the oil and gas industry just this cycle)

• Member of Koch brothers-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
• Has lengthy record of criminal charges that includes aggravated DWI, assault and negligence.
• Endorsed by both the NRA and Right to Life Committee.
• Led the charge on usurping serious budget discussions by insisting on lengthy deliberations on the death penalty and expansion of three-strikes.

 No time to be cynical. YOU can have an impact if you use your voice!

Categories: Actions, Boycotts, Criminal Justice, Indigenous Rights, State Elections

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