Gubernatorial Primary Profiles Meet the Candidates

Question 1: Drivers of Crime & Solutions

• Identifies bail policies, drug trafficking (fentanyl), and police shortages as top causes of crime 
• Supports reforming bail system to keep violent offenders in custody 
• Advocates for ending sanctuary policies and increasing border cooperation 
• Proposes higher pay and funding to recruit and retain law enforcement 
• Points to Rio Rancho leadership record as a model for improving public safety

Question 2: Criminal Justice & Accountability 

• Supports stronger bail reform for violent offenders awaiting trial 
• Advocates for stricter sentencing for repeat violent criminals 
• Emphasizes zero tolerance for violent crime and crimes against children 
• Supports juvenile justice reforms with both accountability and rehabilitation 
• Seeks to improve prosecution rates through coordination with law enforcement and district attorneys

Awaiting Candidate Responses 

Question 1: CYFD Reform & Child Safety

• Prioritizes stabilizing CYFD workforce to reduce caseworker turnover 
• Supports increased pay, lower caseloads, and career pathways for retention 
• Calls for leadership accountability, including audits and independent oversight 
• Proposes improved data systems to better track and respond to risk factors 
• Emphasizes expanding foster family pipeline to ensure stable placements 
• Supports safe reunification standards focused on child wellbeing 

Question 2: Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect

• Emphasizes early intervention (“upstream”) prevention strategies 
• Supports expanding home visiting programs for at-risk families 
• Focuses on addressing substance abuse, especially with newborns 
• Calls for clear hospital protocols and consistent CYFD follow-up 
• Encourages partnerships with community organizations, churches, and nonprofits 
• Supports increased funding and empowerment of local support networks

Awaiting Candidate Responses 

Question 1: Education System & Outcomes 

• Identifies lack of accountability as the root cause of poor outcomes 
• Emphasizes that increased funding has not led to improved results 
• Supports clear, measurable performance standards for schools, teachers, and administrators 
• Advocates for accountability through consequences and incentives 
• Prioritizes early literacy, especially reading proficiency by third grade 
• Supports expanding career and technical education (CTE) for non-college pathways

Question 2: School Choice & Education Options

• Strongly supports school choice (charter, private, homeschool, ESAs) 
• Emphasizes parental decision-making over government control 
• Frames access to quality education as a fairness and access issue 
• Supports expanding and protecting school choice options 
• Believes competition improves school quality and outcomes

Awaiting Candidate Responses 

 Question 1: Healthcare Access & Rural Care 

• Emphasizes expanding healthcare workforce pipeline through loan forgiveness and scholarships 
• Supports telehealth expansion, especially for mental and behavioral health 
• Advocates for community health workers and mobile clinics to improve rural access 
• Frames healthcare access as both a quality-of-life and economic development issue 
• Highlights infrastructure and workforce planning as key to improving access

Question 2: Provider Shortages & Quality of Care  

• Identifies low pay, malpractice environment, and rural recruitment challenges as key drivers of shortages 
• Supports medical malpractice reform to reduce barriers for providers 
• Advocates for expanding medical education and residency programs to retain in-state talent 
• Proposes financial incentives for specialists in underserved areas 
• Emphasizes maintaining high standards while reducing bureaucratic barriers to practice

Awaiting Candidate Responses 

 Question 1: Energy Production & Environmental Stewardship 

• Supports continued strong oil and gas production as a key economic driver 
• Emphasizes energy revenue as critical for funding public services (schools, infrastructure, etc.) 
• Opposes policies that would significantly restrict or reduce energy production 
• Advocates for science-based environmental regulations 
• Supports methane reduction, water protection, and land reclamation standards 
• Emphasizes state-level control and limiting federal overreach 
• Frames approach as balancing economic growth with responsible stewardship

Question 2: Economic Impact of Energy Policy 

• Links increased production to higher state revenue (severance taxes) 
• Supports using revenue for tax relief for families and seniors 
• Emphasizes job creation, particularly in energy-producing regions 
• Connects energy production to lower energy costs for households 
• Supports a diversified energy mix (including oil, gas, and solar) 
• Prioritizes grid reliability and affordability

Awaiting Candidate Responses 

 Question 1: Cost of Living & Affordability  

• Identifies housing costs, limited high-wage jobs, and government spending as key drivers 
• Attributes rising housing costs to regulatory barriers and slow permitting 
• Emphasizes need for economic diversification and higher-paying jobs 
• Calls for greater accountability in government spending 
• Supports streamlining development and permitting processes 
• Points to local leadership experience in maintaining affordability

Question 2: Taxation & Government Spending 

• Supports using energy revenue to reduce tax burden without cutting services 
• Proposes property tax relief for seniors on fixed incomes 
• Advocates for gross receipts tax reform 
• Supports eliminating personal income tax to increase competitiveness 
• Emphasizes performance-based budgeting and fiscal discipline 
• Connects energy development to funding long-term tax relief

Awaiting Candidate Responses 

 Question 1: Parental Rights & Family Authority 

• Affirms parents as primary decision-makers in children’s lives 
• Supports parental choice in education and access to curriculum information 
• Emphasizes parental authority in healthcare decisions and full transparency 
• Supports the right of parents to raise children according to their values and beliefs 
• Advocates for strengthening parental notification laws 
• Opposes policies that withhold information from parents about a child’s wellbeing

Question 2: Notification & Consent 

• Supports parental consent for major decisions involving children 
• Allows exceptions only in immediate medical emergencies when parents are unreachable 
• Requires full disclosure to parents as soon as possible after emergency action 
• Opposes schools or providers making decisions on health, identity, or treatment without parental knowledge 
• Calls for ending policies that exclude parents from key decisions

Awaiting Candidate Responses 

 Question 1: Life & Abortion Policy 

• Expresses belief in the sanctity of life 
• Emphasizes that abortion policy is determined by the state legislature 
• Focuses on supporting expectant mothers rather than direct policy changes 
• Supports adoption services, crisis pregnancy centers, and maternal health resources 
• Emphasizes providing community and financial support for women in difficult pregnancies

Question 2: Government Role & Funding

• Opposes taxpayer funding for abortion services 
• Opposes use of state funds for out-of-state abortion travel 
• Supports redirecting funding toward life-affirming services (adoption, maternal care, support organizations) 
• Frames government’s role as expanding support options rather than funding abortion

Awaiting Candidate Responses 

Why are you running for Governor of NM?

I'm running because New Mexico deserves better — and I know we can do better. I've spent 12 years as Mayor of Rio Rancho proving what's possible when you combine good leadership with fiscal discipline, a commitment to public safety, and a genuine focus on growing the economy. Rio Rancho became one of the safest cities in New Mexico, attracted more than $6 billion in investment, and was named the state's most affordable city. Those aren't talking points — they're results. New Mexico as a whole has enormous potential: abundant energy resources, a strategic location, a rich culture, and resilient people. But we've been let down by leadership that prioritizes ideology over outcomes. I'm running to change that. This isn't about politics for me. It's about making sure families can stay in the state they love, that our kids get a real education, and that our communities are safe. I believe New Mexico's best days are still ahead — and I'm ready to lead us there.

What sets you apart from other candidates in this race?

I'm the only candidate in this race with a proven executive record of actually delivering results for a New Mexico community. While others have held positions or run campaigns, I have run a city — managed budgets, built a police department, attracted major employers, and been accountable to voters for 12 years. Rio Rancho is the evidence. We have the cleanest audits in the city's history, 12 consecutive Government Finance Officers Association budget awards, a doubled police force, and national recognition as a best place to live. I didn't inherit those results — I built them through pragmatic, disciplined leadership. I also bring a businessman's mindset. I know how to read a budget, hold agencies accountable, and make decisions based on data rather than ideology. New Mexico needs a Governor who has already done the hard work of governing — not someone who will spend their first term learning how. That governor is me.

Awaiting Candidate Responses