By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog

SANTA FE  – The intra-party fight among New Mexico Democrats took another turn Thursday, with one powerful Senate leader defending one of his colleagues and chastising the chairman of the on the floor of the Senate.

“Last week we had a member of the Democratic Party call out one of our senators,” , said in front of the full Senate.

Sanchez was referring to party chairman , who state , a fiscal conservative.

Bregman blasted Smith for not having a hearing in the in last year’s session on a bill that would dip into the state’s to pay for early childhood education programs. It’s a proposal Bregman and many liberal Democrats support but Smith and oppose.

“At some time (Smith) would have to consider whether or not he wants to just join the governor in doing nothing and whether or not he wants to be a Republican,” Bregman said at a news conference.

Sanchez didn’t mention Bregman by name on Thursday but criticized the party chairman for “insinuating that (Smith) wasn’t a true Democrat, insinuating that he should change parties, insinuating and threatening a primary challenge for him.

“The Democratic Party is always a big tent, whether you’re ultra liberal, ultra conservative, whatever you are.

“For some member of our party to try to embarrass one of our Democratic members is not right … No party should tell us what or how we should vote on this floor … I’m embarrassed that it happened and I want to apologize for those remarks to the senator it was made to … He’s my friend and a strong Democrat … There’s no place for that on this floor.”

Asked to respond, Bregman called and said, “Number one, I’ve never told anybody they should become a Republican because of the way they vote on a particular issue. I was very clear that if Sen. Smith does not allow for even a vote on one of the most important issues to the Democrats in this state, and that is for allowing for this constitutional amendment, then he should become a Republican and I do stand by this today as well.”

After Thursday’s floor session, Smith said he appreciated what Sanchez did.

“I said to him, ‘You didn’t have to do that’ and he said, ‘I know,’ ” Smith said. “Michael Sanchez is absolutely right. Sometimes we don’t see eye to eye on some legislation. I have only respect for Michael Sanchez, for being ethical, honest and truthful. We need more of him.”

In this year’s session, Sanchez is tapping into the permanent fund to pay for early childhood education.

Since it’s a resolution and not a bill, it calls for the amending the state constitution — which would require it to pass both the House and Senate and then get approved by voters in November in order to become law. The governor’s office would be bypassed.

Here’s video of last week’s comments by Bregman, from KRQE-TV:

Contact Rob Nikolewski at and follow him on Twitter @robnikolewski