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Rawson concedes race to Fischmann
This article has been updated.
Republican Leonard Lee Rawson sent an e-mail to supporters today conceding defeat in last week’s District 37 state Senate race against Democrat Steve Fischmann.
“Our district, which is the third largest by number of registered voters, appears to have a new senator to represent us,” Rawson wrote.
With all but eight provisional ballots from Sierra County left to be considered, Fischmann leads the current Senate minority whip by 544 votes. Fischmann has 13,131 votes, or 51.1 percent, to Rawson’s 12,587 votes, or 48.9 percent.
Rawson, who has served in the Senate since 1987, thanked his supporters in the e-mail and wrote that he has “poured my heart into serving each one of you in this unpaid capacity, often bearing your burdens with you, and it has been my joy to work diligently in your behalf.”
Fischmann could not immediately be reached for comment. His victory means there are no Republicans in the Legislature representing Doña Ana County except Dianna Duran, R-Tularosa, whose district is primarily in Otero Count but includes a small, rural area of eastern Doña Ana County.
Rawson made no mention in the e-mail of the concerns of potential voter fraud that he raised before the election. He also didn’t mention Doña Ana County’s absentee ballot snafu.
Rawson did write that he has focused on providing top-notch service to his constituents, doing pre-legislative surveys at his own expense, keeping in touch through e-mail, having top attendance and voting records, focusing on issues instead of partisanship and “restoring the dignity and demeanor of the Senate.”
“My successor would do well to build on these higher standards. I anticipate that you will keep him informed of your concerns and interests,” Rawson wrote. “I am confident that you will hold him accountable to accurately and diligently represent you.”
Rawson wrote that he and his wife are looking forward to more time with family, friends and neighbors and to invest in their church and business. He said they have no regrets “and we have joyfully served you wholeheartedly! Our Lord is leading us in a new direction, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Update, 3:25 p.m.
Fischmann said Rawson called him a couple of days ago and again today and was congratulatory.
“I hope I do a good job for all the folks that put faith in me. Even for those folks that didn’t vote for me, I hope I do a good job for them, too,” Fischmann said. “I see some real opportunities. Even if it’s a tough budgetary session, if we use some imagination we can create some real educational and economic opportunities in Doña Ana County, in particular in renewable energy.”
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Rawson often behaved like a jerk on the floor of the Senate, wasting time with irrelevant questions. He mentions being unpaid, but these guys and gals get $145 or so per day untaxable reimbursement for expenses during the session and also for time spent serving on interim committees. It’s not excessive, like New Jersy, where legislators get $90,000 per year, but it’s not insignificant either.
Plus Rawson repeatedly introduced a SJR (Senate Joint Resolution) that would PAY the state legislators 15% of what members of the US Congress get, and as you should know those folks vote themselves a COLA pay raise every year (up to somewhere near $170k by now). Only good thing I can say about Pearce is that he always voted against it (of course, he is a millionaire anyway).
Check out the legislative web page, 2008 regular session for SJR 2–here is an excerpt:
“Each member of the legislature shall receive:
A. per diem at the internal revenue service per diem rate for the city of Santa Fe for each day’s attendance during each session of the legislature [this is IN ADDITION to the proposed salary!] and the internal revenue service standard mileage rate for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of government by the usual traveled route, once each week during each session as defined by Article 4, Section 5 of this constitution;
B. per diem expense and mileage at the same rates as provided in Subsection A of this section for service at meetings required by legislative committees established by the legislature to meet in the interim between sessions; and
C. an annual salary that is fifteen percent of the salary for United States congressional representatives and senators.”
There’s more, but that is the meat of it. This would have required a constitutional amendment.
I, for one could not be happier to have Steve Fishman as Dona Ana County’s new Senator. Congrats to you. At one time Sen. Rawson represented Otero county or at least part.He along with other republicans representing Otero always voted as a block. And always with how their vote would affect Otero businesses. He was anti the tobacco settlement money.he voted and supported Gov. johnson or “Gov. No” as he was known for vetoing everything. I was glad when he didn’t represent Otero any more but sad that Dona Ana got stuck with him. Rawson talks about the Lord leading him in a new direction and that is fine but to suggest that he,Rawson created higher standards. Is he suggesting that his religious beliefs could do that but perhaps Mr. Fishman’s religion whatever that would be,(Idon’t know)would not have standards. I didn’t think Rawson’s standards were all that high. I saw him as only voting party line and not very responsive to the whole electorate, just those that agreed with him. I do not know Mr. Fishman other than to say hello. But I wish him and the entire legislative delegation from Dona Ana the very best in the upcoming 2009 legislative session.I think for Otero county “Dub” Williams is the next one that wouldn’t be missed if he decided not to run or if he was beaten.Same scenario votes with the party and half the time is caught sleeping on the floor of the House when in session. Gloria Vaughn came closer to seeing Santa Fe in her rear view mirror in this election cycle. For her they need to bring back the “do Nothings party.” Otero County is at a real disadvantage on the legislative level. That has to change and it will.