Bill Richardson's bid for the presidency has strong support in Rio Arriba County, but the Democratic stronghold's aging former political boss is among those backing Hillary Clinton.

Emilio Naranjo, 91, recently put up red-white-and-blue Clinton signs in front of his mobile home on Lower San Pedro Road, a mile south of Española along the Rio Grande.

"Our Lady Senator from New York," says one of the signs in a phrasing reminiscent of one used for the Virgin Mary. It goes on to call the 2008 election the most important of our time and Clinton "the most qualified person for president."

"Restore trust and respect for America the Beautiful," it concludes. "Bush lied on the invasion of Iraq."

Naranjo, a former state senator, county sheriff and county manager, chaired the Rio Arriba County Democratic Party for 36 years — from 1952 to 1994, minus six years in the 1960s when he was a U.S. marshal.

Naranjo last week was unwilling to discuss his reasons for supporting Clinton. "Because it's my personal right, my own business," he said. "I have a right to support whoever I please. Does that answer your question?"

Naranjo's son, David Naranjo, a retired Española postmaster, had arranged the interview at the request of a New Mexican reporter, asking that questions be put in writing for his hard-of-hearing father.

"While he understands Richardson is the favorite son," David Naranjo said of his father, "he really sees Clinton as (the Democratic nominee), and he wants to see everyone get behind her."

But Emilio Naranjo immediately became upset Tuesday when the reporter arrived at his home with a photographer. After the photographer agreed to wait outside, Naranjo invited the reporter into his living room, but again became upset when the reporter asked, in writing, why he supported Clinton.

"None of your business," he said. "That is my private privilege."

For decades, Emilio Naranjo's slate of Democratic candidates controlled county politics and influenced party politics all over the state through his ability to deliver votes to favored candidates.

He was appointed state senator in 1977, but was barred from serving in the Senate the next year after he was convicted of vote tampering and perjury. He returned to the Senate in 1980 after his conviction was overturned on appeal. In 1996, he was defeated in the party primary for the Senate by Arthur Rodarte — characterized by some as the beginning of a new era in Rio Arriba County politics.

From 1968 to 1989, Emilio Naranjo ran a restaurant on Santa Clara Pueblo land, featuring booths decorated as a jail, a bank and an Indian teepee. He eventually sold Emilio's Restaurant, which reopened as Angelina's, now in a new location.

Emilio Naranjo's last major public appearance came in early 2004, when he spoke during a rally in Las Vegas, N.M., for U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who would become the party's presidential nominee. Kerry did not attend, but his daughter, Vanessa Kerry, and U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., did.

In 1999, Emilio Naranjo was toasted at an Española banquet attended by U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., former Govs. Bruce King and David Cargo, and Bill Richardson, then U.S. energy secretary. Naranjo and Richardson were on friendly terms then, but their relationship later soured, reportedly over Richardson appointments.

Española's weekly newspaper, the Rio Grande Sun, says most local Democratic officials publicly support Richardson's quest for the presidency. According to the Sun, Richardson has raked in more than $70,000 in contributions from Rio Arriba County residents compared to Clinton's $2,300, including $400 from Naranjo.

The Federal Election Commission doesn't break down political contributions by county. But the Web site opensecrets.org says Richardson leads all presidential hopefuls in New Mexico fundraising — with more than $5 million compared to $84,001 for Barack Obama and $83,271 for Clinton.

Emilio Naranjo's neatly lettered homemade sign isn't the only one for Clinton in Rio Arriba County. A similar one can be seen just off the parking lot of the Laborers International Union at the corner of the Los Alamos Highway and the Santa Clara Bridge Road. Others have been spotted in Hernández, Chama, Chamita, Chimayó and Ojo Caliente.

Political observers disagree how much sway Emilio Naranjo still holds in Rio Arriba County, where 81 percent of voters are registered Democrats. Magistrate Alex Naranjo, Emilio's nephew, who said he hasn't spoken to him for years, said many locals, with or without his uncle's support, "feel Hillary's the best candidate. You'd be surprised."

Contact Tom Sharpe at 986-3080 or tsharpe@sfnewmexican.com.