Burkhart served as an Albuquerque alderman from 1898 through 1900 . He was chairman of the Central Committee of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party from 1896 to 1908 , and resigned to become the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Democratic Party of New Mexico which post he held until 1911 when he resigned to run for the NM Supreme Court . Burkhart was the NM delegate to the 1908 Democratic National Convention . Defeated for the NM Supreme Court , Governor McDonald appointed Burkhart as Legal Adviser to the Governor . It was in this position that Burkhart issued the legal opinion that Albert Fall 's election in February 1913 by the NM Legislature was illegal , forcing a special session and a new vote
1908 Democratic National Convention
1908 Democratic National Convention
Summers Burkhart