Democrats from Ward C cast ballots for their delegates to the NM Pre-Primary Convention Saturday at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Democrats sign in at the County Pre-Primary Convention Saturday afternoon at Fuller Lodge. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Democrats gathered to hear from state candidates and elect delegates to the Democratic Pre-Primary Convention Saturday at Fuller Lodge.

Voting party members numbered 87, Los Alamos County Democratic Party Chair Cat Ozment said. Free childcare was provided at the event.

“We’re excited to have such a high turnout from local Democrats,” Ozment said. “Thanks to help from lots of volunteers, the convention and delegate selection process went smoothly. We had a great showing from candidates and were especially thrilled to have Rep. Ben Ray Luján attend. This primary season, it’s more important than ever for people to get involved and make their voices heard.”

Los Alamos County has 11 delegates to the Pre-Party Convention, eight from Los Alamos (Wards B and C) and three from White Rock (Ward C). The delegates will attend the convention March 7 at Buffalo Thunder Resort. In counties across New Mexico, Democrats and Republicans have been doing the same at their own county events.

The major function of the Pre-Party Convention is to qualify state-wide candidates for the primary election. Candidates may qualify by winning 20 percent of the vote at the Democratic Pre-Primary Convention or by turning in the required number of qualified signatures to the New Mexico Secretary of State.

Since no candidate wants to have to collect more signatures, it’s important to have the votes at the convention. For Democrats, the race for U.S. Third Congressional District Representative is the main event.

There are seven declared candidates for the seat being vacated by Rep. Ben Ray Luján, who is running for U.S. Senate. Those attending the event Saturday were John Blair, Teresa Legar Fernandez, Valerie Plame, Marco Serna and Kyle Tisdel. Laura Montoya and Joseph Sanchez sent surrogates to speak for them.

Reaching the 20 percent threshold could be hard in a field this size, so every delegate pledged to a candidate is keenly sought after. Delegates can expect to be heavily lobbied. This is one of those times when politics on the county level really counts.

A full house at Fuller Lodge for the County Democratic Pre-Primary Convention Saturday. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, who is running for U.S. Senate, speaks to the crowd. Incumbent candidates for state judicial positions are behind him. From left, Zach Ives, State Appellate Court and David Thomson and Shannon Bacon, State Supreme Court. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

County Democratic Party Chair Chair Cat Ozment explains who the State Pre-Party Convention operates while Ward A Chair David Schifrel. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Candidates for Congressional Dist. 3, clockwise from top left, John Blair, Teresa Legar Fernandez, Kyle Tisdel, Valerie Plame and Marco Serna. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com