LUJAN GRISHAM’S ACTIONS MANIFEST MORE PETULANT AND POLITICALLY EXPEDIENT BEHAVIOR
| Albuquerque, March 29—One week before the Governor’s slated Special Session in Santa Fe, the Republican Party of New Mexico is speaking out against what’s become obvious grandstanding and political theater by the embattled Chief Executive. RPNM is dismayed but not surprised by Lujan Grisham’s call for this Session. The Governor continues to have her temper tantrums when she doesn’t get her way on important legislation. She did it last year with recreational marijuana, and it’s happening again. Lujan Grisham loves to change the rules when things don’t go according to plan. She knows she’s in trouble politically, and so she is again trying to force-feed the legislature to advance bills for her political gain. The clock is ticking, and this Governor will do anything to put herself in good standing with her constituents. Throughout the recent legislative session, Lujan Grisham pushed for her Clean Fuel Standard Act, legislation that would have raised New Mexico’s gasoline costs between 25 and 50 cents per gallon. Another Lujan Grisham tax hike imposed on hurting New Mexicans. That failed. Now the irony… With reelection at stake and her reputation slumping, Lujan Grisham calls in lawmakers to approve a gas rebate plan to relieve the pains at the pumps. The rebates would mean hundreds of dollars in relief for New Mexicans. Why wasn’t this done years ago? Lujan Grisham also wants lawmakers back to review spending legislation after Democratic lawmakers threatened to convene an Extraordinary Session to override a veto of $50 million in spending projects. What’s even more unnerving is that it’s unclear if this deceitful Governor (who breaks her own COVID rules and who also pays off a former staffer over sex harassment claims) will sneak in election legislation she badly wanted. Republicans just defeated a voting package that would have opened the door to fraud, created more ballot problems and led to more integrity issues at the polls. The Governor would love to revive and modify these voting bills months before Election Day this November to give her a political edge. “This is another case of the Governor, facing the realization that she has tremendous baggage heading into the election season, doing what she can to get her way,” said RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce. “She cannot accept the fact that the Democrat-led legislature rejected some of her pet projects. She again looks to move the goalposts, knowing she has failed New Mexico, and her latest tactic is to turn to the legislature to get her way. New Mexicans know this. They are smart, and they’ll respond accordingly and appropriately come November.” Finally, this Special Session isn’t even official yet. There’s been no formal proclamation received by GOP leadership. Why? The Governor cannot fundraise, and she cannot do that for 20 days after the Session ends. Don’t be surprised if during the 11th hour, at the whim of Lujan Grisham, lawmakers learn it’s time to pack their bags to suddenly head to Santa Fe the next morning. |
| The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairman, former NM Congressman Steve Pearce, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662. |
How about a statement on Republican gubernatorial candidates Dow and Ronchetti calling each other childish names such as “blowhard” and “fake,” in their ads? What do Pearce, Curtis, and Skaggs think about it?
What is the chance that moderate and independent voters will take these candidates seriously if one of them gets the nod? Shoot, just a month ago they promised to campaign with class! There’s little chance voters will take them at their word now!
This doesn’t bode well for the Grand Old Party winning the governorship.
New Mexicans hope for a productive special session of the legislature, but this whiney attack on the governor does not promise constructive engagement by the minority party. Any progress will probably come over Republican obstruction.
That, actually, is one of the reasons the Grand Old Party stays in the minority; most New Mexicans are put off by their constant anger and obstruction and submission to the MAGA wing of the Party. Actual Republicans long for the day that true Republicans lead the Party again.
What they would like to see from Pearce and Curtis is a “Statement on Couy Griffin’s Felony Conviction,” and a “Statement on Trump Allies’ Refusal to Testify Under Oath,” and a “Statement on Trump’s Continuing Coup Attempt.”
The November election will have more to do with the health of our democracy and the integrity of GOP leaders–or lack of it–than Governor Grisham’s performance.