mjh's blog

I Never Call It The Albuquerque Urinal, But Now I’m Pissed

Wed 06/07/06 at 8:34 am

As you may know, Bernalillo County’s Probate Judge, Merri Rudd (y mi esposa) was unopposed in the Democratic Primary yesterday and also is unopposed in the General Election in November. So, she won back in March on Filing Day but for the need for one vote yesterday. Still, some might want to know she received 25,737 votes, more than any other judge or county position in Bernalillo. More than Gary King or Jim Baca or any candidate other than the top state-wide offices (within Bernalillo County) — 10,000+ votes more than Heather Wilson. Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA – Unofficial Election Results

You won’t know this from the Albuquerque Journal (or local TV news). Intrepid journalist Dan McKay, who Merri introduced me to in the neighborhood grocery store, studiously ignores the office of Probate Judge and Merri Rudd. McKay has written many, many articles on Bernalillo politics and elections. Only once have I seen him mention the office or the office holder, and that may have been the last time I chastised him for his negligence.

Does the office of Probate Judge matter less than dog-catcher (sorry, under the new HEART ordinance, that’s “Dog-Human Interface Facilitator”)? There are only 5 elected county positions mandated by the state constitution; Probate Judge is one of these. Constitutionally, the office is as “important” as sheriff.

“Aw, come on, she was unopposed.” That, in itself, may have been news. But note that Michael Brasher is in a similar position and got a paragraph explaining that (and 4,855 votes). Somehow, the Journal can’t spare a sentence for one of the top vote-getters in the county. What else are they overlooking/under-reporting? mjh

PS: my friends at the Journal might warn McKay to watch out for me at the grocery store — I may slip something embarrassing or expensive in his basket.

Update at 1:17pm: after my venting, Merri notes that none of the judges races seem to have merited coverage in McKay’s article. So, rather then being the only county official ignored, she’s one of many judges. So much fairer.

[See mjh’s blog — The Thrill of Victory]