Pubdate: Wed, 20 Dec 2000
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2000 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103
Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/
Author: Loie Fecteau, Journal Politics Writer

GOV. PREFERS GOP LEADER AS HIS SUCCESSOR IN '02

SANTA FE -- Republican Gov. Gary Johnson says if he could hand-pick his 
successor as New Mexico's chief executive, he would choose state GOP 
chairman John Dendahl over Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley.

"In a second, I would hand pick John Dendahl," Johnson said Tuesday at a 
news conference.

However, Johnson also said Bradley would make "a great governor" and would 
receive his support.

Dendahl was among several Republicans who sought the GOP nomination for 
governor in 1994. Johnson won the nomination and went on to defeat Gov. 
Bruce King, a Democrat, and Green Party nominee Roberto Mondragon.

"I ran against John in the primary, and I maintained during that period 
that John Dendahl and I ... were completely alike with regard to 
philosophy," the governor said Tuesday.

Dendahl said he was flattered by Johnson's comment.

"I was told Gary Johnson had said some very nice things about me, but I 
didn't know he'd said anything that nice," Dendahl said in an interview.

Dendahl said he has not made any decision about seeking the Republican 
nomination for governor in 2002.

"When you do my job as state chairman you do a lot of things to make people 
mad, including Republicans, and you step on toes," Dendahl said. "That 
drives up one's negatives, and that makes it difficult to get elected."

Dendahl said he took Johnson's comments as rather a slap at Bradley, who is 
mulling over a run for governor in 2002 and who has been a loyal lieutenant 
to Johnson for six years.

"Walter has been a really good team player, and that is kind of unjust," 
Dendahl said of Johnson's observation.

Bradley just laughed when asked about the governor's comment.

"That doesn't surprise me," Bradley said. "John (Dendahl) does a lot of 
good things, but the reality is John Dendahl couldn't win the race."

Bradley noted that Dendahl is supportive of Johnson's controversial 
national push to legalize marijuana and to change other drug laws, while he 
is not.

"Legalizing marijuana is an area where Gary and I part," Bradley said in an 
interview.

Bradley said he has been assured by Johnson that he would have the 
governor's support if he decides to run for governor.

"We've talked about it, and he is going to support me," Bradley said of 
Johnson.

The governor agreed.

"I could not have had a more supportive lieutenant governor," Johnson said. 
"I think we've been successful as a whole, and I think Walter has been a 
big part of that.

"So I would love to see Walter as governor. ... I am supporting Walter 100 
percent."

Journal staff writer S.U. Mahesh contributed to this report.
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