New Mexico Governor and Democratic candidate for President Bill Richardson weighs in with support for the Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) Act to offer a full public financing option for state races. Richardson called a special session of New Mexico's legislature this year to pass a law creating a full public financing system for judicial races. A system is already in place in the state for candidates for the Public Regulation Commission.

Iowa came quite close to passing the VOICE Act last year. Knowledge gleaned from last year's fight, combined with the endorsements of people like Richardson, and the increased focus on money in the presidential primary race in which Iowa plays a crucial role will all help efforts to make the bill law in 2008.