By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog
SANTA FE  – John Dendahl, an Olympic-caliber cross-country skier and politician whose way with words was as powerful as the drive he showed on the Nordic track, died Saturday morning in Colorado, according to friends.
The cause of death was unconfirmed but acquaintances said the 75-year-old had recently been diagnosed with a virulent [...]

When it comes to income inequality in the U.S., Nick Estes says “government is the only solution” while Paul Gessing says “it’s not inequality, it’s about poverty.”
Estes’ political yin squared off against Gessing’s political yang in Albuquerque Wednesday evening (June 12) in a debate about the best solutions to help those falling behind economically.
About 50 people [...]

The Democratic Speaker of the House came to the defense of Republican state Rep. Cathrynn Brown of Eddy County after liberal groups, bloggers and websites attacked her for a bill concerning rape that Rep. Brown says has been badly misconstrued.
“If she says it wasn’t her intention (to ignite a controversy), I will take her [...]

Saying “this decision comes down to what is best for New Mexicans,” Gov. Susana Martinez decided Wednesday (Jan. 9) to accept the federal government’s offer to expand Medicaid across the state in a move that’s estimated to affect 170,000 people in New Mexico.
“We have an obligation to provide an adequate level of basic health care [...]

State Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-Las Cruces) told Capitol Report New Mexico on Tuesday night (Jan. 8) that she “definitely has the votes” and and will become the next Senate Pro Tem.
“I know I’ve got the votes,” Sen. Papen said, adding, “I’m extremely confident … I think I have a minimum of 7 and as [...]

Since getting elected to the US Senate, one of Tom Udall‘s pet projects has been to change the filibuster rules he says clog things up on the Senate floor.
Sen. Udall’s wish may come true later this month but it even has some fellow Democrats worried.
Despite that, Udall told Capitol Report New Mexico he’s optimistic that [...]

Update 1/6: An additional stalking charge has been added to the rap sheet for Gary Smith. On Sunday (Jan. 6) a judge signed off on a charge of aggravated stalking against Smith in connection to allegations of slashing the tires of his former campaign manager, Rhead Story of Albuquerque. That brings to three the [...]

Gary Smith’s slow drive on New Year’s Day has sent him back to jail … and he could end up sitting there for a while.
On Wednesday (Jan. 2), Albuquerque Police Detective Lorenzo Garcia re-arrested the former congressional candidate embroiled in one of the most bizarre scandals in New Mexico politics on charges of aggravated stalking.
“We [...]

Tim Jennings spent an awful lot of money for every vote he earned in the November election but $73.61 per vote was not enough to keep him in the New Mexico State Senate.
An analysis by Capitol Report New Mexico of the amount of money each candidate spent in competitive 2012 Roundhouse races reveals which candidates [...]

Jake Martinez, the father of New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, passed away Monday (Dec. 31) after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 80 years old.
While his daughter has achieved political notoriety, Jake Martinez was well-known in the El Paso area as a champion boxer and boxing coach who for decades led many young [...]