Confusing Circumstances

The precinct chairs of the Democratic Party could quite possible be in a position to make an important decision that will impact El Paso County. It’s a little complicated, so bear with me…

I like to think that I’m pretty good at recognizing political maneuvers when I see them. I don’t always catch them, but I do most of the time.
Every once in a while, something happens right in front of my face and I completely miss it. When Senator Shapleigh decided to retire, I realized when the story broke that he practically told me he was going to retire during an interview two weeks before and I didn’t realize it.
That interview haunts me. Every time I watch it, I want to smack myself on the back of the head for not realizing what the Senator was saying and for missing two big follow up questions.

It almost happened again.

Almost.

So here’s what I just realized on Monday night during the El Paso Young Democrats meeting. Christina Fenstermacher, who is the chair of a group of Northeast Democrats, and the daughter of Yolanda Clay, made a comment that got my attention and by the time her sentence was done, I realized it was that I had missed. (I’m not implying she’s connected to anything, it was just her comment that crystallized several bits of information that I had that now formed a clear picture.)

Her comment was about precinct chairs and I interpreted it as a bit of a shot at the newly unanimously-elected SDEC, Don Williams. Williams happened to be on the very same table at the opposite end. The comment that was made was about the importance of getting all the precinct chair positions filled and having precinct chairs that actually work and are not just precinct chairs to vote for a particular person to be SDEC.

Which is interesting because its not just precinct chairs that vote for SDEC, its any delegate, but that’s a whole other story I guess.
Anyway, it was that comment that was my eureka moment. I’d been noticing a buzz and sense of urgency around the party about filling precinct chairs. Representative Norma Chavez has actually done a pretty good job of getting her supporters placed in vacant seats.

Precinct chairs are the backbone of the party and they are a constant battleground for control, so maneuvering around placement of precinct chairs isn’t something new.

But there is something even more interesting in this latest round of maneuvers.

I didn’t realize it at first, but it has to do with two judges at the courthouse.

In a weird little process quirk, the Precinct Chairs of the Democratic Party could possibly be the ones with the chance to nominate candidates to replace Judge Javier Alvarez IF the vacancy occurs before August 19th, 2010.

It’s a whole lot easier (and cheaper) to win an election with a group of less than 50 than it is to mount a countywide campaign.

Think about it, this is a potentially very valuable decision the PC’s are going to make. Judicial seats are highly coveted and often very competitive. It is much easier when you have the ability to establish yourself as the incumbent before the next election. It will also cost a potential candidate nothing in terms of time, treasure, and talent.

There are several groups within the PC’s that are quietly make moves to ensure they are best positioned to play king-maker.

Unexplored Territory

But the process to replace the judges (if Barraza and Arditti need to be replaced) isn’t crystal clear. In terms of replacing the District Judges, the replacement will come from the Governor’s office. (That means a Republican will keep the seat warm until the next election when a Democrat will win the election.)

The question of the County Courts is a little trickier. If Alvarez is confirmed by the US Senate before the 19th, then the PC’s make the decision. Based on the pace of the Senate, I’m not optimistic that the decision will be made before that date. So if the vacancy occurs after the 19th, it is unclear exactly who makes the decision, though its my understanding that confirmation of the process is currently being explored.
There’s a couple of possible scenarios, so let’s talk about them.

Scenario #1-Since the court in question is a county court, then Judge Cobos makes the decision about who gets the seat.

Scenario #2 – County Commissioner’s Court makes the decision as to who gets the seat.

Scenario #3- Judge Cobos nominates a replacement and Commissioner’s Court votes on it.

Scenario #4 – There will be an election. The question is when? In November? Doubtful considering that no one would even begin to move on that scenario until after the 19th of August. That means it would be early or mid September before the issue went to Commissioner’s Court, and that doesn’t leave a lot of time before the November election. So does that mean there is another special election? The cost of a special election would absolutely be a controversy.

Floating Names

I’ve heard two names that are interested in the judgeship. I’ve heard El Paso County Democratic Party Chair Danny Anchondo is interested in the bench. His name is never too far away when it comes to discussions about open seats in a court.

In fact, very shortly after the election, at least one member of Commissioner’s Court told me they were approached by Anchondo seeking their support for Alvarez’s seat. Anchondo allegedly went so far as to request a “commitment” of support for the position.

I’ve also heard that Sergio Coronado might be a name that is considered to be nominated to fill the seat if the vacancy doesn’t open before August 19th.

I called Coronado to find out if he was going to be nominated. Coronado said he hadn’t heard anything about being nominated, but he did confirm that he was interested in pursuing the seat. In fact, Coronado added that he had considered running for a judgeship in the last election but decided to try for a policy decision one last time.

Coronado also indicated that if he wasn't considered for this vacancy, he would pursue another judicial seat in the next election.

At any rate, Coronado would have to be considered a front runner for a judgeship, either by election or appointment given his back ground and familiarity with voters.

Stay tuned on this one…