Benjamin Rodefer - Democrat for State Senate
Ben with US Senator Jeff Bingaman at the UNM Taos Solar Array
Benjamin Rodefer:
• Grew up in Corrales and attended Sandoval Elementary
• Father was a Professor at UNM
• Worked on Jimmy Carter's 1976 election campaign at age 13
• Attended Cibola HS before Cornell University, where he studied Government and Physics
• Was US Senator Jeff Bingaman's first intern
• Worked with Congressman Ron Dellums (D-CA)
• Founded GoBox Software
• Founded ModernArts
• Was elected to the NM House of Representatives in 2008
• Current & Past President of the NM Renewable Energy Industries Association
This election, voters have a real choice. Here is exactly where I stand on the issues:
Jobs: According to the Pew Charitable Trust, the greatest job growth by far in NM since 1998 has come from the renewable energy sector. The renewable energy industry has created nearly 30 times the job growth of all other New Mexico industry sectors combined. As the President of the NM Renewable Energy Industries Association, I know first hand how to create good high paying green collar jobs for New Mexico and how we can take positive steps towards energy independence. Instead of spending billions of dollars on foreign oil, we can keep those dollars here at home, rebuilding our own economy, putting New Mexicans back to work, and building new schools, hospitals, courthouses & roads,
and better supporting classroom funding and public safety.
Education: We need to be teaching our children for life, not for tests. No Child Left Behind is actually leaving every child behind. We absolutely must get back to providing our children with a strong, well balanced, comprehensive education, and let our wonderful teachers focus on doing their job, not on relentless assessments & testing.
Equality: The pledge of Allegiance says "With liberty and justice for all." It does not say with liberty and justice for some, or only those we agree with, or only those who look or act like us. The equal protection of the law must extend to everyone.
Health Care: We must find an affordable way to offer quality health care to EVERYONE, no exceptions. We have to stop merely throwing more wasted money at the problem and actually sit down, do the necessary hard work, and solve it.
Environment: I will work hard to protect and preserve our natural resources. It is absolutely imperative that we as a society move away from gas and coal based energy policies. I will vigorously advocate for clean energy, green building, greater fuel efficiency and stricter emissions standards. I will fight tirelessly to protect the Rio Grande Basin, its Bosque and our water.
Infrastructure/Economy: Our economy will never grow in the 21st century unless we expand and repair our deteriorating infrastructure needs. Our economic policies need to focus on creating good jobs; repairing and expanding our roads, bridges and other infrastructure; paying our teachers, police and firefighters fair wages; building new schools and hospitals (and providing them with the very best staff, equipment and supplies); investing in clean sustainable alternative energy sources; providing health care for our children and retirees; providing services for the disadvantaged and at-risk, and boosting and building our own locally-driven economy.
Crime: We need to provide our law enforcement staff with the best available equipment and technology. We need to provide our judges and prosecutors with clear legal statutes and sentencing guidelines. We need to provide our non-violent offenders with effective treatment programs so they have an opportunity to rejoin our society in a productive and positive capacity. It does a great disservice not only to the offenders but to our community to simply lock them up for their sentence and then kick them back out onto the street. We can do better.
Spending: I am fighting for qualitatively better results from our hard earned tax dollars. We deserve complete transparency in how the government spends our tax dollars. Our government should be as careful with its money as we are. All government contracts should require an open, fair and competitive bidding process. Not a penny should be wasted.
Here's what people said about my public service in 2009-2010:
"We trust you because we believe you are guided by ethics and not simply politics." -Fraternal Order of Police
"When it counted, you were there for our students and our schools" -NEA NM
“…largely due to heroic efforts by Rep. Ben Rodefer.” –nmpolitics
“A real life David vs. Goliath victory.” –ABQ Journal
“We are extremely grateful to you.” -New Mexico Fire Fighters
“A true champion for education.” –Albuquerque Teachers Federation
“Rep. Benjamin Rodefer led the charge in the House, and this victory would not have been possible without his passion and perseverance.
As a result of his single-minded dedication, precious tax dollars will go where they belong – health care, education and environmental
protection – instead of subsidizing out-of-state developers.” -Conservation Voters NM 2009 Scorecard (Ben received a perfect 100%)
With daughters Melina and Natalie - Ben has fought hard to protect vital classroom
funding for our schools from being cut!
Ben Rodefer...One of us - He's working for us.
¡UNO DE LOS NUESTROS!
Together we can create a better future for our community, our County, and our State.
This is a great cause and I welcome your help.
If you would like to volunteer, please forward your name, contact information and how you might
like to help, to the campaign e-mail or postal address below.
Some ideas: Make phone calls, Walk door-to-door with us in the district, Donate food or services,
Host a meet-the-candidate party or distribute flyers to your friends & neighbors, Put up a yard sign,
Do online research, address envelopes, etc. Thank you!
Ben Rodefer for New Mexico
147 Via Oreada
Corrales, NM 87048
benrodefer@gmail.com
Thank you for your support!
Together we can effect positive change for New Mexico
For New Mexico State races there is a $2300 limit per election, thus with both a primary & general in 2012, any individual may give up to $4600
Contributions to political campaigns are not tax deductible.
Checks to:
"Ben Rodefer for New Mexico"
147 Via Oreada
Corrales, NM 87048
To contribute by credit card:
My contribution: $
Join your friends and neighbors in working towards a better future for all New Mexicans
Past financial supporters of Benjamin Rodefer include:
Terry Holland
Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino
Marg Elliston
Pauline Eisenstadt
Retired Brigadier General George Franzen
Kathy Lang
Paul & Laura Stokes
Norton Kalishman
NM Building & Construction Trades Council
Vicki Randle
Don Michaelis
Albuquerque Teachers Federation
NM Medical Society
Wilbur Kerley
Michelle Giger
Herlyn Harrington
Governor Bill Richardson
Penny Perkins
Jim Spadaccini
Conservation Voters of NM
Margie Baca
Martha Egan
John Romero
US Senator Jeff Bingaman
David Roth
Dr. Mark Sagarin
Joel Davis
Lisa LeFlore
Jane and Ron Lerner
Dr. Ann Morrison
Gail Giffen
Gary Burton
Jonathan Cohen
Kathie Lehner
Laurie McPherson
Captain William Green
David Hammack
NMFL
Pat Clauser
Dan Shaw
Rick Thaler
Ken & Melissa Torrez
Monique Mosher
Jolene & Wayne Maes
Mark & Jennie Gonzales
Deb Tyroler
Jason Aryeh
Felix Brenner
Jackson Johns
Joshua Rodefer
Angela Arzave
Marg Elliston
Evelyn Losack
Ed & Dennie Paschich
Dr. Elizabeth McGuire
Summer Brenner
Dr. David Johnson
Dr. Miranda Durham
David Garcia
Holly Baer
Dr. Lisa Feierman
Amanda Wilder
Camille Green
Kate Davis
Mick Harper
Bill & Barbara Elliott
Sally Newcomb
Doug Ring
Cindy Miscikowski
Nat & Sarah Cobb
Sondra & David Hammack
Brian Egolf
Mimi Stewart
Nathan Perkins
Anne Stirling
Act Blue New Mexico
Pauline & Mel Eisenstadt
Judy Anderson
Elizabeth & Paul Hommert
Jack Campbell
Mary & Paul Davis
Tonna & Marcos Burgos
Sandoval County Democratic Party
Peter & Alice Page
Steven Tolber
Louise Campbell
Paul & Laura Stokes
Janice Kando
Kathy Lang
Stanlee Gatti
Rhawn & Jen Denniston
Theo Crevenna
Jazz/music
Editorial Review (from Amazon):
Guitar Player Magazine, as part of their 30th Anniversary Celebration, named Benjamin Rodefer the world's 'Best Unknown Jazz Guitarist.' This CD, his first release as a leader, features a fantastic line up of burning young players including pianist Michael Wolff, who has played with Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson. There are six of Rodefer's original compositions here, ranging from the exquisite acoustic ballad, "Shh...It's Only Me", to the searing post-Bop of "Twisted". There are traces of live Miles Davisalbums from the late 60's, "Bootini", as well as tips of the hat to Rodefer's contemporaries, "Sco's Big Shoe." There are two standards as well. Both presented in a fresh light. "Contemplation", a McCoy Tyner ballad, is poignant and expressive with Eric Crystal at his lyric best on Soprano. "Stella" is played primarily trio with guitar, tenor and drums. The band's intuitive interplay and explosive energy should make this version an instant classic. A cohesive and well-crafted record, Bent To Be features wonderful playing, deep grooves and strong compositions. A must have for all contemporary jazz collections. Eric Crystal, on saxophones, has played with Charlie Hunter, Omar Sosa, Ernie Watts and Paul McCandless. John Shifflet, on acoustic bass, has played with John Zorn, Bobby Hutcherson,Mel Torme, Harold Land and Peter Apfelbaum. Alan Hall, on drums, has performed and recorded with Jerry Bergonzi, Mick Goodrick and Dave Liebman.
From the new album:
1. Bent To Be!5. Shh...It's Only Me
2. Sco's Big Shoe6. Twisted
3. Contemplation7. Bootini
4. Stella8. The Long Road Home
Band members:
Benjamin Rodefer -Acoustic, Electric & Synth Guitars
Eric Crystal -Saxophones
Michael Wolff -Piano & Rhodes
John Shifflett -Acoustic Bass
Alan Hall –Drums
About the Artist :
Benjamin Rodefer is featured on numerous other recordings current and pending release, including:
Michael Wolff, "Portraiture: The Blues Period", 31 Hertz, "31 Hertz", Jungle Wolf, Title TBA (featuring Alex Foster, Victor Bailey, and Michael Wolff), and Dmitri Matheny, “Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag”. Guitar Player Magazine named Benjamin Rodefer the "Best Unknown Jazz Guitarist in the World" as part of their 30th Anniversary Celebration.
Benjamin Rodefer has performed/recorded with: Roy Hargrove, Michael Brecker, Antonio Hart, Benny Green, Javon Jackson, Gary Burton, Michael Wolff, Ed Kelly, Craig Handy, Michael Manring, Kai Eckhart, Danny Heines, Vicki Randall, Mike Stern, Paul Hanson, Rebecca Paris, Tracy Bonham, Matt Rollings, Bobby Hutcherson, Pharoah Sanders, Aaron Scott, Essiet Essiet, Roy McCurdy, Mike Clark, Dick Berk, Dwayne Burno, Jesse Rodefer, Danilo Perez , Kenny Rankin and many, many other wonderful players.
e-mail Benjamin
cell 505-688-9803