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SEPTEMBER 1, 2000

The All Indian Pueblos Council, representing New Mexico's 19 Pueblos, is endorsing mostly Democratic candidates in the upcoming election, including Vice-President Al Gore.

Both Gore and Bush met with tribal leaders on recent visits to the state. But Gore won out the AIPC endorsement, although Pojoaque Pueblo Governor Jake Viarrial previously said he supported Bush, as did representatives from Zuni Pueblo.

In the Senate race, the AIPC is endorsing incumbent Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat, against Republican Bill Redmond. For the House, the endorsements go to incumbent Tom Udall, Democrat, against Lisa Lutz, and incumbent Joe Skeen, Republican, against Michael Montoya.

The Pueblos are also endorsing Former US Attorney John Kelly, a Democrat, who is challenging incumbent Republican Heather Wilson for a House of Representatives seat.

Kelly told state lawmakers last year that their 16 percent revenue sharing rate with tribes was likely illegal and that to sue the tribes would be difficult. State Attorney General Patricia Madrid filed suit in June against all 12 gaming tribes for withholding their payouts to the state.

Heather Wilson has appeared critical of a deal that would finally resolve the land claims of Sandia Pueblo against the government. The two came to a proposal in which the tribe would drop its land claim of the west face of the Sandia Mountains in exchange for exclusive access to the mountains and no future development.

The AIPC is based in Albuquerque.

Get the Story:
Indian Pueblo Council Backs Gore for President (AP 9/1)

Related Stories:
Candidates hit the road (The Talking Circle 8/30)
Pueblo talks encouraged (Tribal law 05/03)
Residents concerned about Pueblo land deal (Tribal Law 04/13)
Sandia Deal Faces Battle (Tribal Law 04/06)
Sandia Pueblo Drops Land Claim (Tribal Law 04/05)

Relevant Links:
The All Indian Pueblo Council - www.aipcinc.com