Richard Romero for Mayor's Friends

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Richard Romero for Mayor's Page

Marty doesn't think ABQ has a crime problem

Bode Surveillance- Short Version from Richard M. Romero on Vimeo.

These are surveillance tapes that have surfaced from a federal lawsuit whereas Bode Aero Services Inc. has charged Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and the City of Albuquerque with stalling and manipulating an extension of their contract as operator of Double Eagle II Airport because of an unwillingness to provide free or reduced air travel for the mayor and his staff.
The tapes consist of two meetings in which Mayor Martin Chavez's representatives* explain to John Bode, Jr and his colleagues that Mayor Martin Chavez has targeted their business and that the mayor is solely responsible for stifling the process. The meetings took place on August 21st of 2007 and July 29th of 2008.

*The female voice on the tape has been wrongly identified as Cara McNitch(sic), the female voice is actually Christine Pica, a partner at Bode Aero Services.

Profile Information

Where I Live:: Albuquerque

About Me:: Work, Family and Community

For 35 years, Richard Romero has built a career of public service—as a teacher, principal, leader of the New Mexico State Senate and veteran.

As New Mexico Senate President Pro Tem, Romero established a record of reaching across ideological divides, forging compromises to get things done, and taking down the corrupt when they needed to be taken down.

His record of public service is an accomplishment that he will build upon for all of Albuquerque.

He was raised in Albuquerque’s historic Barelas neighborhood. His father was a warehouseman for Sandia Corporation, his mother worked as a maid, cleaning houses and motels.

He learned from his parents to be a model of humility and honesty, and that good citizenship starts with participation in community. He has always believed in the overarching importance of education, in helping others in need and standing up for what’s right.

Educator, Family Man and Veteran

Richard served his country with the Air National Guard (the fabled “Enchilada Air Force”) in Korea during the Pueblo Crisis in 1968.

After fulfilling military service, Richard returned to his first passion, education. Soon he was tackling the tough job as principal of the School on Wheels, a program for at risk youth. Starting as a small pilot program, the school grew in three years from 40 students to over 250 under Richard’s leadership.

In 1976, Richard returned to his alma mater as principal of Albuquerque High and then became principal at Sandia. He retired from APS as Assistant Superintendent in 1995.

Political Reformer

Richard ran for the State Senate in 1992, defeating a 26-year incumbent by a wide margin. The voters of his district later reelected him to two more terms by overwhelming margins.

In the legislature, Sen. Romero became a champion for improving education, strengthening local economies, and governmental ethics reform.

He pushed for tax credits to help small businesses grow and voted against a municipal business tax increase that would have hurt local businesses. He sponsored and passed legislation that doubled the property tax exemption for military veterans living in New Mexico. He championed legislation mandating smaller class sizes, and pushed the legislation that increased teachers’ salaries based on professional development.

In 2001, Richard unseated Manny Aragon to become Senate President Pro Tem by enlisting a bipartisan group of legislators who were committed to reforming the committee structure and the seniority system. Together they opened up a process that had become dominated by the arbitrary power of a single powerful politician.

Richard’s zeal for reform never wavered. In 2002 and 2004, he won his party’s nomination for Congress. Once again, he spoke truth to power, daring to criticize the Bush Administration at the height of its popularity for its misguided foreign and domestic policies.

His guiding principle is that government must serve all of the people with integrity and honesty.

Bringing together people of good will to build a better community, standing up fearlessly for what’s right – that’s Richard Romero’s track record, a record of values you can count on.

These are exactly the values Richard Romero will bring to the office of mayor.

Background & Experience

- New Mexico State Senator, 12 years
- Senate President Pro Tem, 4 years
- Teacher, Polk Junior High and Wilson Junior High, 4 years
- Principal, School on Wheels, Sandia High School, Albuquerque High School, 12 years
- Assistant Superintendent, Albuquerque Public Schools, 6 years
- U.S. Air National Guard, 6 years, (2 years active duty, U.S. Air Force)
- BA, University of Albuquerque
- MA, New Mexico State University

My Website:: http://www.richardromeroformayor.com/

Richard Romero for Mayor's Blog

For the Record

Posted on August 31, 2009 at 11:57am 0 Comments 0 Likes

It's been said that the first thing sacrificed in a political campaign is the truth and the facts. I was reminded of this last Monday while attending NAIOP's mayoral forum at the Uptown Marriott.

While I sat next to Marty Chavez, he claimed to be "the only candidate in the race that's ever cut taxes." It's a statement that Mr. Chavez makes a habit of repeating. It's also not true.

As President Pro Tem of the New Mexico Senate, I supported a cut in the state's income tax… Continue

Stranger than Fiction

Posted on August 31, 2009 at 11:55am 0 Comments 0 Likes

In a recent Albuquerque Journal article “Aviation Director: Mayor Worked for Tougher Deal,” Nick Bakas, one of the Mayor’s top deputies, drops some of the more memorable lines to come out of Chavez’ twelve years in office.

Here’s one example: "I work for the man," Bakas said. "I don't have a personal relationship. We're not drinking buddies, dinner buddies. I got to produce. I don't produce, I… Continue

APS Back in Session

Posted on August 23, 2009 at 5:24pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Our public schools are back in session this week, and I want to wish all of our parents, students and teachers great success.

Unfortunately, last week as our community prepared for the start of the school year, news on the education front was disheartening. Local news reports reminded us that the high school graduation rate in Albuquerque Public Schools continues to decline -- plummeting in 2008 to an entirely unacceptable 46.2 percent.

While drop-out rates got worse over… Continue

Sally Mayer Says Goodbye to City Council

Posted on August 20, 2009 at 12:33pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

In a surprise announcement, District 7 City Councilor Sally Mayer has ended her pursuit of another term.

Sally put together a District 7 mayoral forum a few weeks back and it was a nice night of civil discourse between Richard Romero and RJ Berry. Marty Chavez failed to show up--a last minute cancellation and a snub to Mayer and her constituents.

Here's a notable quote from… Continue

North Valley Mayoral Forum: a Night to Remember

Posted on August 20, 2009 at 12:29pm 1 Comment 0 Likes

Last Thursday night, I attended the North Valley Coalition’s mayoral forum at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. I was looking forward to a lively discussion between myself and the other two candidates running for mayor.

Unfortunately, Martin Chavez did not attend as planned. According to event organizers, Chavez claimed he had an endorsement meeting with the Fraternal Order of Police, which resulted in his last minute cancellation.

Pete Dinelli, one of Chavez’ public… Continue

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At 1:33pm on September 3, 2009, Slick 27 said…: Good Luck!
I really hope you win and send Marty back to the private world where he belongs. Probably he will go to work for a land developer, since he kisses up to their every whim.
We need a man "of the people" person, which I believe you are.