This story is republished from The Paper. as a part of our commitment to bringing you the best in independent news coverage that matters to Albuquerque.
By GWYNNE ANN UNRUH / The Paper.
Democratic Sen. Bill O’Neill is facing his first primary opponent after representing Senate District 13 for more than a decade — and it’s someone he’s worked with closely before. His opponent, former Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley, says she decided to go up against O’Neill because he hasn’t done enough for the district.
“I just feel like I want more from my senator,” O’Malley tells The Paper.
With 11 years as a state senator under his belt — and three years as a state representative before that — O’Neill not only has name recognition in his favor, but also years-worth of his voting record at the Roundhouse.
“I think my record speaks for itself,” he says. “I bring a certain talent to the Legislature. I’ve worked across the aisle without sacrificing my progressive values, I get bills upstairs, I get bills passed.”