Dems vie for PRC ballot slot [Albuquerque Journal, N.M.]

May 21--This is the first of two articles covering contested Public Regulation Commission primaries

Three Democrats, including two who currently hold other public offices, are vying for their party's nomination in the June 5 primary election to succeed two-term Public Regulation Commissioner Jason Marks in District 1.

Marks, a Democrat, has represented the Albuquerquearea district for eight years but cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

Looking to succeed him are Democrats Cynthia Hall, an attorney and former member of the Public Regulation Commission legal staff, current Bernalillo County Assessor Karen Montoya, and attorney Al Park, who has held the District 26 seat in the state House since 2001.

Montoya's second term expires this year. Park is not seeking re-election to his House seat.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Christopher Ocksrider, an Albuquerque attorney, in the Nov. 5 general election. He is unopposed in the primary.

Hall's background includes stints as a staff attorney for the PRC Insurance Division and as associate general counsel for the agency. She cites improved ethical practices and accountability, consumer rights protection and growth and development of renewable energy as her priorities.

Montoya, a two-term assessor, said she would work to create policy to initiate accountability and bring integrity to the PRC. She says setting qualifications for the PRC, which would be allowed under a proposed constitutional amendment, would not ensure ethical behavior.

Park, an attorney for 17 years, said creating jobs by investing in renewable energy, establishing tough ethical requirements and protecting consumers are his priorities. As a House member, he supported the bill proposing the constitutional amendment on PRC qualifications.

The District 1 seat is one of two up for election on the five-member PRC this year. The other is District 3, where four people -- Brad Gallegos, Valerie Espinoza, Daniel Maki and Virginia Vigil -- are competing for the Democratic nomination. There is no Republican in the primary. The Journal will publish their profiles and responses to the questionnaire next week.

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