Two quick hits from God's Own Country:
- IATSE Local 480 has unanimously endorsed Diane Denish for New Mexico governor. Why does it matter that a New Mexico filmworker's union has made an endorsement for the New Mexico Governor's race? Well, because Val Kilmer has decided that hanging out in Santa Fe's art galleries entitles him to the Governor's mansion, that's why. Oh Val, New Mexico is not California. No one cares about you and your hipster friends in Santa Fe and Taos - except to deride all of you for coming in to the state and driving up property taxes for families that have lived on their land for five centuries. But maybe when Denish wins 95% of the primary vote it will discourage other actors from thinking that being famous for their ability to play pretend is no substitute for experience - California's dysfunctional political system notwithstanding.
- The New Mexico House has passed the National Popular Vote proposal, which, if enacted by enough states to equal 270 Electoral Votes, would pledge New Mexico's electors to whoever wins the nationwide popular vote. It's a way to bypass the Electoral College. I'm not sure if enough states will pass it, or if they do, whether this proposal would bring about the changes those of us who want a national popular vote or not. But it's impressive that the legislature of a battleground state would pass this. Usually small-population states that enjoy an outsized influence on our presidential elections jealously guard their privileges with a toddler's zeal. Yes, I'm talking about you, Iowa and New Hampshire.
