In last fall's elections, Santa Fe County voted overwhelmingly for the Green Party candidate in the Public Regulation Commission race despite the county's longtime Democratic tradition.

Now, the two people hoping to head up the Santa Fe County Democratic Party both say they hope to pull active members and voters back into the fold. But both have different takes on what caused the rift.

Jose Morfin, a retired state worker, and Richard Ellenberg, a retired lawyer, each hope to win the chairmanship when county party delegates vote April 7. The winner of the two-year term will replace chairwoman Minnie Gallegos, who has held the post since 2001.

Morfin, 55, said he was upset that so many county voters backed Green Party PRC candidate Rick Lass over Democrat Jerome Block Jr. Lass took the county with 63 percent of the vote, although Block still won the District 3 race.

During his campaign, Block admitted filing false reports about how he spent public campaign money.

"I think the people of the state of New Mexico thought that he was a good candidate — they elected him," Morfin said. "When people are young, they make mistakes. I think Jerome will certainly meet the challenge of being PRC commissioner. I think he'll grow and I think he'll do well."

Ellenberg, 60, had harsher words. "It's always disconcerting to have Democrats jump ship, and to some extent Jerome was an embarrassment to the party," he said. "He made a number of statements to the press that were ill-considered. The reports he filed were ill-considered and they tended to make the party look bad."

But Ellenberg also said he backed all Democrats in the 2008 elections.

Gallegos said she won't endorse anyone for the chairmanship, which some have billed as Morfin the establishment candidate versus Ellenberg the progressive — something both men deny. Both also said the party needs to get better at communicating and being more inclusive.

"I'd like to see Santa Fe County be the Democratic banner county in the state, and I think we can do it," Morfin said. "We have the people who are interested. I think we need to just get them well-organized."

The effort would involve printing a quarterly newsletter and scheduling semi-annual meetings with higher office holders, such as the governor and congressional delegates, to share information.

Morfin was born and raised in Santa Fe and served as a president of the county's Young Democrats.

The county party's vice-chairman, Ricardo Campos, said he backs Morfin, noting his family roots and an ability to work with people. Campos, who challenged Gallegos for the chairmanship last election, said he didn't have the time to serve as chairman this time.

On Ellenberg, Campos said, "I don't think he's the right person at this time. I think we need a person who's really going to open up the doors to everyone. ... and I don't think Richard Ellenberg would be able to attract all the people we need."

Ellenberg said he proved he could work with all Democrats last election. "This is about organization building — it's a different type of work, almost," he said.

Ellenberg, who practiced law in Georgia and got involved in local politics in 2004, said he organized one of the party's first fundraisers in a long time last year and that he would hold an annual fundraiser. He also he would communicate more through e-mail and newsletters to make the party more transparent.

He also said he wanted to "attract some of the Obama energy. Those people are interested in organizing on the ward and precinct level."

Bernie Logue y Perea, who resigned as ward coordinator last year after creating a stir for backing Lass, supports Ellenberg. "He picked up the ball the last couple years when Minnie wasn't feeling too good," Logue y Perea said. "A lot of people were running around helping Obama and other candidates in the state, and Richard was left running the show."

Morfin and Ellenberg should have a debate before the election, Logue y Perea said.

Electing the county party chairman is a two-step process. Later this month, dozens of wards will elect coordinators and vice-coordinators; any Democrats registered for 30 days can run for office or vote. Those officials and others will then elect the chairman and vice-chairman on April 7.

As for Block Jr., the Attorney General's Office said this week that it is still investigating his misuse of public campaign money. "Nothing has changed," AG spokesman Phil Sisneros said. "Some cases take three months, some can take a year."

The biggest issue involves Block giving $2,500 in public money to then-San Miguel County Clerk Paul Maez's band to play at a rally, even though the band never performed. Block told reporters the band indeed performed, but after band members said there was no performance, Block admitted he lied.

"We've had (AG investigators) come to a couple of the guys' houses," Simon Balkey, who was the band's lead singer, said in a late January interview. "I just got a call saying you might be getting a call from the AG's Office."

Block declined to comment on the investigation. "I just want to concentrate on this job I've been elected to do and continue to do a good job," he said.

Contact Doug Mattson at 986-3087 or dmattson@sfnewmexican.com.


IF YOU GO

• What: Santa Fe County Democratic Party elections
• When: County party delegates will elect a chairman and vice-chairman at 7 p.m. April 7. (Elections for ward coordinators are March 25-31 at different locations).
• Where: Santa Fe Community College, Jemez Room
• More information: www.santafedemocrats.org lists ward locations and meeting times.