Block brushes off debate challenge
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PRC candidate calls 'minor party' opponent unqualified
7/29/2008 - 7/30/08
Democratic Public Regulation Commission candidate Jerome Block Jr. on Tuesday said he wouldn't accept his Green Party opponent Rick Lass' challenge for a series of debates before the November election, saying, "I do not intend my campaign schedule to be influenced by a minor party candidate who had to be 'drafted to run.' "Block responded to Lass' debate invitation in an e-mail the Democrat made available to The New Mexican.
Meanwhile, Lass has been busy lately actively courting Democratic support for his candidacy. Last week, he met privately with Gov. Bill Richardson, who has yet to endorse any candidate in the PRC race.
He also attended a weekend meet-and-greet event at a downtown Santa Fe restaurant sponsored by progressive Democrats and Green Party members.
Some Democrats are looking to Lass as a possible alternative in the PRC race after revelations that Block wasn't completely honest with reporters who had asked about a drunken-driving arrest 10 years ago; Block also hadn't disclosed other brushes with the law.
"I plan on conducting my campaign at a grass-roots level, as I did in the Democratic primary," Block said in his response to Lass' debate challenge. "My intention is to visit every corner of the district and visit as many constituents on a one-to-one basis as possible. Regardless of your motivation or agenda in conducting debates, I do not intend my campaign schedule to be influenced by a minor party candidate who had to be 'drafted to run.' "
Lass, a longtime Green Party activist, was "drafted" for the race at the Green Party convention shortly after Block won the primary. Lass has said he hadn't been planning a PRC candidacy because he expected a "progressive" Democrat — namely Santa Fe lawyer Bruce Throne, Española Mayor Joe Maestas or Santa Fe County Commissioner Paul Campos — to be the Democratic nominee. Block won the primary with about 23 percent of the vote.
Block in his letter goes on to mock Lass' experience. "You and your supporters tout you as the 'qualified candidate,' " Block wrote. "While there is nothing wrong with your real life experiences and employment as a pizza delivery person and a food market clerk, I do not feel it qualifies you to be a PRC commissioner. You mention, repeatedly, your advocacy for voting initiatives. Perhaps you are not aware that the PRC does not deal with voting issues. Perhaps you would consider applying your self-professed talents to running for county clerk in 2012."
Lass said Tuesday: "I'm just amazed that he's not taking this more seriously and that he's so dismissive of my campaign."
Lass is a former manager of Upper Crust Pizza. He said he's not ashamed of working there or as a grocery clerk. "I've got to pay the bills," he said. Lass is now director of Voting Matters, an election-reform organization.
Block, the son of former Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Sr., works as sales manager for LandAmerica, a title-insurance company.
Lass described his meeting with Richardson as "cordial," saying the governor offered him some campaign tips — "be where people congregate, shake lots of hands, meet with editorial boards and reporters and keep my name in the media, support and be around the other progressive candidates and the Obama campaign in particular," Lass said in an e-mail.
He said he didn't ask for Richardson's endorsement.
Earlier this month, a spokesman for the governor, when asked about Block, said: "The governor in no way dismisses the seriousness of the charges that Mr. Block faced. ... It will be up to Mr. Block to explain to voters why he deserves their trust."
Block said Tuesday that he hasn't yet met with Richardson but hopes to set up an appointment in the near future.
Among local Democrats supporting Lass are former City Councilor Ouida MacGregor; Bernie Logue y Perea, a Santa Fe ward chairman; and longtime progressive activist Charlotte Roybal.
State Sen. John Grubesic, D-Santa Fe, said Tuesday that he hasn't formally endorsed Lass, but said the Green candidate is honest and ethical and would be a good choice. Lass was running for Grubesic's Senate seat in 2004 but dropped out after he decided he and Grubesic agreed on most issues.
Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.
