Endorsements

These endorsements were made during my 2010 campaign for the Democratic Party nomination for state House of Representatives, District 43. When I lost the primary election in June to Stephanie Richard, I congratulated her and announced my support for her as the Democratic candidate. Those who had endorsed me then made their own choices on whom they would support in the general election. Stephanie lost the November 2010 election to the late Jeannette Wallace in a close race.

Endorsements (May 2010)

"A person in public office must enter the decision-making process with not only personal values and a commitment to those values, but the ability to make policy that represents both the District and the Big Picture. Pete values education as the key to fulfillment for both the individual and the community. He shows up at meetings and community events. He pays attention and asks the right questions to inform his decisions. He studies the issues. His service on the Los Alamos Planning and Zoning Commission has taught him the responsibilities of public office. Pete is the candidate who will serve our entire District and not just a few interests. "
- Jody Benson, Los Alamos School Board Member

"I am endorsing Pete for District 43 representative. Why? First, Pete is a scientist. He knows how to process information, and to analyze evidence. In the work of the legislature, many issues come up that require scientific knowledge or expertise---energy, environment, transportation. There are no scientists in the legislature. They need one. Second, Pete is an open minded pragmatist. He is not an ideologue. He knows how to work with others to get things done. He will know how to get along in an ambience that can often be contentious and disputatious. Third, Pete is a long time resident of this district, who has served our community well. He knows the district, and he knows the people."
- Ed Sayre, retired Los Alamos County Administrator/Library Director

"Pete listens to and understands the problems of small business in this community. I am confident he will go to bat for us to make this a better place for our businesses to grow."
- Bill Cabral, Bill's Computer Shop

"Affordable accessible health care is vital to all New Mexicans. Pete has the intelligence and the experience to help the state legislature develop and enact policies that will protect and benefit those of us who already have health insurance and those of us who are still struggling to afford health care."
- Nona Girardi, MD, family physician and resident of Los Alamos

"As the state continues to grow, so do the challenges of ensuring that the government meets the needs and expectations of a broad array of interests. Pete's addition to the Roundhouse will provide a necessary perspective to a State that depends heavily on science and technology to run its energy sector, national laboratories, military, healthcare and businesses supporting these industries."
- Molly Cernicek, entrepreneur and resident of Los Alamos

"Pete has always been strongly supportive of renewable energy development and energy effciency. He will be able to see through the smoke screens that vested interests routinely attempt to erect around elected officials on such issues. Pete has always expressed strong concern about the ethical problems surrounding New Mexico politics. In this context I note that Pete has no connection whatsoever to the reigning political machines of either of the major political parties in New Mexico. So I believe he will be able to function both independently and effectively."
- Ben Luce, Clean Energy Advocate/ Physics Professor

"The district's demographics have changed in recent decades, now counting 43 percent Democratic registration, 35 percent Republican - and, crucially, 19 percent independent.

Sheehey, an Air Force veteran and a physicist at LANL, strikes us as the candidate who would go into the general election more independent of, and less compromised by, backing from public-employee unions and by contributions from some of the party's heavier hitters. With campaign and post-campaign ethics emerging as a major issue, his party needs all the strings-free candidates it can get.

His Democratic credentials, meanwhile, are sterling: He and his wife, Naishing Key, were strong John Kerry supporters in 2004 and campaigned hard, including door-to-door, for Barack Obama in 2008.

He would offer solid evidence for his alternative-energy and environmentalist stands - and as a member of Los Alamos County's planning-and-zoning commission has a great grasp of procedural politics.