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.