Our endorsements were based on interviews between our staff and the candidates. Our editorial contributors included Jerry Ortiz y Pino, Gwyneth Doland, Steven Robert Allen, Rudy Carrillo and Tim McGivern.
Heather Wilson, although she personally agreed to meet with us, failed to do so. Her spokesman, Enrique Knell, then arranged to meet with us twice in her place, but both times he failed to show up. New Mexico is nothing, if not a state where people face down their critics, look you in the eye and give you a straight answer. But Wilson, in the spirit of someplace else, ducked us. We hope you remember this at the polls.
On behalf of Albuquerque voters, we endorsed candidates that offered a hopeful, intelligent vision for the future. This year we were especially uninterested in cynicism and negativity and looking for candidates who'll proudly and honestly serve the public's interest.
There are, as always in Bernalillo County, a number of competitive races for the state Legislature. As in year's past, we did not endorse for these races, because we recognize the candidates walk door-to-door in your district and attend your neighborhood association meetings. We expect you would know your neighbor running for state representative or state senate better than we do.
Lastly, we strongly recommend you pick up a copy of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters 2004 election guide, available at community centers, senior centers, public libraries and many local retail outlets for a comprehensive look at the issues and candidates. Or get it online at www.lwvabc.org
