The governor is soliciting applications to replace Tim Keller as State Auditor.

Keller was elected mayor of Albuquerque on Nov. 14, and he will be sworn in on Dec. 1.

Once he resigns as State Auditor, Gov. Susana Martinez will be able to appoint a replacement who will serve through the next election in 2018.

Justine Freeman, a spokeswoman for the State Auditor’s Office, said Keller will step down on Nov. 30, before his term as mayor begins. They informed the governor’s office on Nov. 15 and Freeman said they are “ready and willing to assists with the [Office of the State Auditor] transition.”

A spokesman for Martinez said her office is requesting applications from those who...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questioned key officials on Nov. 14 during a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The hearing included testimony from Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth Mapp, as well as representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, and the Puerto Rico Energy Commission.

During Heinrich’s questioning, Rosselló framed the disaster as an opportunity to not just restore, but also modernize the...

Ray Powell announced on Nov. 15 that he is leaving the race for New Mexico State Land Commissioner due to health issues.

The Democrat, who previously served in that position from 1993-2002 and 2011-2014, said he made the difficult decision after being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, an autoimmune disease.

He explained that after complications from dental work he had a hard time speaking, and knew he should see a doctor. Unable to get an appointment with a neurologist within the next few months, he went to the emergency room instead.

“You just can’t run a statewide campaign, or I can’t, with this condition,” Powell told NM Political Report. He’s confident that with...

Sham charity raised money, but had no local programs

ALBUQUERQUE – Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Nov. 6, a settlement between 27 states and VietNow National Headquarters, Inc., an Illinois nonprofit corporation, resulting in the organization’s dissolution.

The states alleged thousands of deceptive solicitation violations against VietNow for misrepresenting its charitable programs to donors, including in New Mexico. The investigations of VietNow by Attorney General Balderas and other states led to the present negotiated resolution.

“Preying on New Mexicans’ generosity and desire to help our veterans is disgusting and I pleased to say we have shut down this sham...