Flag Day Celebrated by New Mexico Democrats

Saturday, June 14, 2014 - 6:00 p.m.

A fun and creative Flag Day fundraiser dinner was enjoyed by a large number of Democrats from all over the State of New Mexico hosted by the Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC). The venue was the Tulie Cafe in Tularosa situated in a lovely adobe building.

The event led off with all standing and singing a spirited rendition of The Star Spangled Banner and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the New Mexico State Pledge. DPOC Chair Nadia Sikes led the meeting with able help from her team, Liz Watson, Karen Hutchison and former Mayor Steve Brockett.

We dined on steak or green chili chicken and both were delicious and well prepared. These were accompanied by salad and mashed potatoes. Dessert was cherry cheesecake and the waiters kept our ice tea glasses  and coffee cups filled. Excellent service was had from the wait staff. We will be going to the Tulie Cafe again in the future.

Liz Watson and Nadia Sikes had an "Arts and Crafts" day and created a star banner for DPOC. Three outstanding Democrats were each recognized with a star on the banner and presented with a certificate. (See photos below)

Several speakers gave us their thoughts on the state of affairs here in New Mexico including State Senator Linda Lopez of NM District 11, Mariaelena Johnson running for NM House District 53, Rod Saint running for Otero County Sheriff, Rocky Lara running for U.S. House of Representatives District 2, Mary Lee Soules, former candidate for PRC and Stephanie DuBois running for Otero County Commissioner District 2.

DPOC Chair Nadia Sikes looking very patriotic

Mary Lee Soules and her "Cabana Boy"

Carla Kerr, a proud Democrat

Senator Lopez greeting Rob Saint, candidate for Otero County Sheriff

L to R: Mariaelena Johnson, Senator Lopez and Rocky Lara. There is so much estrogen in this photo it's a wonder it doesn't just jump off the page at you. Nothing like female power!

A random shot of the group at one end of the room

Joel and Diana Hamilton in deep discussion with their table mates

L to R: Vice President and President of LULAC at NMSC-A

A random shot of the crowd at the other end of the room

DPOC Chair Nadia Sikes at the podium

Rod Saint, candidate for Otero County Sheriff

Eric Spitty representing the Mescalaro Apache area and his friend

Another random shot of the attendees

Rocky Lara running for Congress from District 2

Our lovely Liz is moving away to Wright-Patterson AFB. She will be missed!

DPOC Secretary Karen Hutchison

Attendees giving a rousing rendition of The Star Spangled Banner

DPOC Star Banner created by Liz Watson and Nadia Sikes

L to R: David Townsend, Nadia Sikes and Karen Hutchison. A certificate was awarded to Dave and posthumously to his wife, Linnie Townsend, along with a star on the newly created DPOC Star Banner

L to R: Nadia presenting certificate representing a star on the banner to Paul Duran with Liz looking on

Liz presenting certificate to Stephen DuBois representing his star on the new banner

Speaker Senator Linda Lopez of NM District 11

Speaker Mariaelena Johnson, Candidate for NM House District 2

Speaker Rod Saint, Candidate for Otero County Sheriff

Speaker Stephanie DuBois, Candidate for Otero County Commissioner, District 2

Now, if we could just get all these good Democrats in Otero County out to vote on November 4, 2014 we surely could make a difference in our fabulous State of New Mexico.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr for his great photography.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event the success it was.

This is all I have to say for now.

Senator Linda Lopez, Gubernatorial Candidate, Speaks to the Democratic Party of Otero County

August 6, 2013

Linda Lopez reveals her plans to run for governor of New Mexico at the monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC). She stated that New Mexico is number one in child hunger and number two in senior hunger. She hopes to change this by concentrating on whatever it takes to eradicate this sad situation.

She also said Governor Martinez has failed to promote small businesses in the state and a valid health care system as well. Martinez has concentrated on bringing in out-of-state businesses adding to the poor climate for small businesses.

 "Eighty percent of our economy is based on small business," she said. "Sixty percent of those small business owners are female!"

She said Martinez is trying to block the Affordable Care Act. "There are roadblocks going up," she said.

Lopez ran for lieutenant governor in the last election. She currently serves as a state senator representing Albuquerque. She has served in this capacity for the past 17 years. She  co-chairs the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee and serves as a member on three others.

She says she is a good fit to take on Martinez, "Hispana to Hispana,"  as she puts it. Lopez is a Hispanic woman so Martinez won't be able to claim, "Oh, poor me. I'm a woman and they are picking on me."

It was a long meeting because we were blessed with several speakers including Nate Cote who gave an update on happenings in Chapparal; Cornelia Lang giving an update on the campaign of Leslie Singh who is running against Steve Pearce; Stephanie DuBois speaking about the annual Labor Breakfast; Nola Jones Scholarship winners Michelle Blumenthal and Shara Shinabery with the latter reading the essay she submitted. Many of us enjoyed the good food at Sunset Run Restaurant before the meeting.

L to R: DPOC Chair Nadia Sikes introducing Senator Linda Lopez and Wayne McDonald, owner of Sunset Run Restaurant , looking on and applauding

Senator Linda Lopez, speaking on the campaign trail

Former Mayor Steve Brockett presents a photo of Sierra Blanca to Senator Lopez

Senator Lopez saying, "Thank you. This will hang in my office in Santa Fe."

Nick Cote giving an update on various topics including Chapparal

Cornelia Lang, Leslie Singh's campaign manager, giving an update on Leslie's progress in her campaign for U.S. Representative from the State of New Mexico.

Stephanie DuBois inviting everyone to attend the Labor Breakfast at Margo's on Saturday morning, August 31

DPOC Chair Nadia Sikes presenting Shara Shinabery with her scholarship

Shara Shinabery presenting her essay that won a Nola Jones Scholarship

Nadia Sikes presenting a Nola Jones Scholarship to Michelle Blumenthal

Carla Kerr making a plea for DPOC to donate and/or man a team for Relay for Life

A group of our loyal Democrats dining and conversing

Judy Pingel, DPOC Treasurer and Dr. Garcia from NMSU

Front to Back: Nate Cote, "Doc" DuBois and his daugher, Stephanie

Some of our loyal mountain Democrats

DPOC secretary Liz and Tristan, DPOC vice-chair

You know I just had to have a picture made with the next governor of New Mexico! 

Senator Lopez speaks well, is impressive, has a great resume, is a single mom who struggled to get her education and works for the good of the people. We wish her well in her campaign.

Thanks Doug for the great pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.