Posted at: 07/09/2009 5:16 PM
Updated at: 07/09/2009 6:23 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

   Print Story

Chavez finally expected to announce candidacy

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez

Chavez has already taken every step to get his name on the ballot for the October election. Everything, except to stand up in public and say “I’m in.” Even on Thursday morning, he said “if,” not “when.”

"If I campaign and run for Mayor I'll do what I've always done - I'll talk about the future of this community - my vision - how a proven record makes visions reality," Chavez said Thursday.

Former State Senate Leader Richard Romero, who has been running for months now, says the Chavez action won’t change his game plan one bit.

"Well you know we got into this race knowing full well that he was gonna run - there was no question in my mind,” Romero said. “We also knew that he would push the envelope and very honestly abuse the system that we have."

State Lawmaker Richard “R.J.” Berry also isn’t surprised.

"I think we're gonna have to change leadership at City Hall from the top down," Berry said via telephone Thursday. "And that's the fundamental aspect of this campaign. After 12 years, if Mayor Chavez hasn't gotten it done at this point, why do we believe he's gonna get it done in 16?”

Insiders say the Chavez announcement will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Taylor Ranch Community Center.