New elections director named

The appointment of Jim Noel, a lawyer who currently heads the Judicial Standards Commission, to be the new director of the state’s Bureau of Elections has drawn some fire from Republicans.

The problem as they see it is that the office is required to be nonpartisan – something that may not even be possible in this world – and Noel’s appointment seems far from nonpartisan.

It just so happens that Noel is the son-in-law of U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, the Democratic nominee for an open U.S. Senate seat from New Mexico, was formerly Richardson’s political director and has worked for his gubernatorial and presidential campaigns.

Not exactly a nonpartisan person.

Now, this does not mean he will not do a good job. It does raise questions and those are legitimate to ask.

Noel will begin his job Sept. 8, filling a position that has been vacant since March, when Albuquerque lawyer Daniel Ivey-Soto resigned.

Noel was an appointee of Richardson to elections task forces in 2004 and 2005, and helped get Richardson-backed elections changes through the Legislature.

Noel also was on the governor’s ethics reform task forces in 2006 and 2007.

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Los Alamos Monitor, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Los Alamos Monitor and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

The Los Alamos Monitor | lacirculation@lamonitor.com | 505-662-4185
256 DP Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday