There is an increasing threat to the Administration of Justice in New Mexico posed by the out-of-control use of political contributions and campaign financing to influence judicial selections.  The most recent sordid chapter in this matter is being played out in the New Mexico Courts with the indictment of Judge Michael Murphy, District Judge in Las Cruces, for bribery in connection with his own judicial appointment.  (The indictment has since been dismissed in a sealed order, but was subsequently reinstated.)  Based on Judge Murphy's own comments as reported in the media, this indictment may be but the tip of the iceberg for this issue, which gives cause for alarm, and is of great public concern.