WASHINGTON-Federal Communications Commissioner Gloria Tristani is expected shortly to decide whether to run for Congress in 2000, a decision with the potential to dramatically shift the balance of power at the FCC and possibly mire the agency in gridlock all next year.
“No, I haven’t decided yet,” Tristani told RCR before last Thursday’s FCC meeting.
Tristani, an Hispanic Democrat, is eyeing the seat occupied by first-term Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.). Wilson, a member of the House Commerce Committee, has sponsored wireless privacy legislation.
Diane Denish, chairwoman of the Democratic Party in New Mexico, said Tristani told her two weeks ago she would make a decision by Thanksgiving. Denish and other Democratic operatives here and in New Mexico said they did not know which way Tristani was leaning.
Denish said if Tristani decides to run for Congress, she likely will inform only a small number of people.
Tristani, who has been a pro-consumer advocate at the Democratic-led FCC, is said not to be particularly happy at the agency. That is attributed in part to her lack of clout, the technical nature of issues and FCC Chairman William Kennard’s controlling management style.
Tristani declined requests for interviews last week.
It also has been suggested that Tristani-guarded, yet outspoken on matters close to her heart-might be more content advocating issues with direct impact on the everyday lives of New Mexico citizens.
To take that turn, Tristani would have to defeat a field of other well-qualified candidates in the Democratic primary.
Moreover, Tristani would be running for a 1st District New Mexico seat that Republicans have controlled for three decades. On the other hand, Clinton carried the state in 1992 and 1996.
Democrats interviewed by RCR said Tristani would be a formidable candidate and could beat Wilson.
“She is a hard-working candidate. I certainly think she’d be a strong candidate,” said Denish.
In 1998, Wilson narrowly defeated a state senator from a wealthy family who spent a whopping $5.3 million to Wilson’s $1.1 million.
“It’s a very competitive district. I think we have a great opportunity there,” said John Del Cecato, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Committee.
As such, the Democratic Party-which needs to win only a handful of seats to reclaim control of the U.S. House of Representatives-likely is willing to throw a lot of money at the New Mexico race. Tristani probably is factoring that into her decision about whether to leave the FCC early next year for a congressional run.
If Tristani were to resign, Kennard would lose a dependable vote and likely control of the FCC. Left behind would be two Democratic commissioners-Kennard and Susan Ness-and two Republicans. Of the two GOP commissioners, Harold Furchtgott-Roth is a conservative with a free-market bent and Michael Powell is a moderate.
According to one former FCC official, Powell would become the swing vote.
Many insiders agree that under such a scenario Kennard could become politically impotent.
If she leaves, Tristani will not be replaced in an election year. Even though Ness has been renominated by Clinton, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) has not signaled any intention of taking up the nomination any time soon.
Tristani, wife of a retired state judge and mother of two, hails from a family with deep roots in New Mexico politics. Her grandfather, the late Sen. Dennis Chavez, represented the state for 31 years as a member of Congress.
Before coming to the FCC, Tristani served on the New Mexico Corporation Commission. She chaired it in 1996.
Tristani dabbled in the New Mexico governor’s race in 1997, before opting for the FCC after being nominated by Clinton. As such, Tristani is seen as both politically ambitious and calculating.
