Denish sticks neck out with endorsements

Former NM Lt. Gov. Diane Denish

From NMPolitics.net - by Heath Haussamen - Former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who was the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial nominee in 2010, is sticking her neck out by endorsing candidates in two high-profile primaries some consider underdogs. In July, Denish endorsed Hector Balderas, who polls have shown has an uphill battle against Martin Heinrich in the U.S. Senate primary. And earlier this month, Denish gave her support to Michelle Lujan Grisham in a three-way 1st Congressional District primary. She said she doesn’t consider Lujan Grisham an underdog. Whether such endorsements matter is a long-standing debate in politics, but Denish built a statewide network, and the candidates hope her endorsements will at least energize their supporters. Balderas and Lujan Grisham are touting Denish’s backing, which shows she still has influence in a party that is in some ways soul-searching after a 2010 shellacking that included her loss to Republican Susana Martinez. Denish said she thought carefully before making the endorsements. By backing candidates who are or may be underdogs, she’s taking a chance, but she doesn’t seem concerned about that. “I endorse the candidates who I think have the opportunity to be the best public servants in the jobs they’re running for,” Denish told NMPolitics.net. Read more

Denish sticks neck out with endorsements