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Turner formally enters gubernatorial race
Turner, shown here during today’s formal announcement in Las Cruces. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
The economy, education and ethics were among the primary issues Doug Turner spoke about as he formally announced his entrance into the gubernatorial race earlier today in Las Cruces.
Speaking about what is probably the hottest issue in New Mexico days after lawmakers met to address a massive budget shortfall, Turner said the state’s economy is “in a really bad state” and pointed to the possibility of a budget shortfall of $1 billion when lawmakers meet again in January.
Turner said state government is bloated, having more employees than ever before.
“I think we ought to get rid of a lot of those folks, whether it be by attrition or other means,” he said.
Turner said he loves New Mexico, but, as a small businessman, he knows it’s tough to run a business here. Tying the business climate and ethics together, he said he was called by a “friend in Santa Fe” a few weeks ago and informed that “the governor had put out a call that I was blacklisted, that my firm was blacklisted — no more state contracts.”
Turner said that is no big deal for his public relations firm, DW Turner, because it has only one state contract, but it’s indicative of “the climate we’re dealing with.”
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for a response.
Turner took another pointed shot at Gov. Bill Richardson when he said that ethics is a function of leadership.
“How do we have an honest government in New Mexico when we’ve been on the front page of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, (for) pay to play?” he asked. “… Generally, I believe that an honest leader will appoint honest people. I believe I am that leader.”
Turner also talked about education, telling the 10 or so people who trekked to the Doña Ana County Republican Party Headquarters before 8 a.m. to meet him that he worked with former Gov. Gary Johnson to promote vouchers and currently sits on the board of the New Mexico Charter Schools Association. He said he supports vouchers and also believes charter school funding should be equal to the funding for other public schools.
Turner said the state should offer more help for homeschooling, perhaps by providing textbooks or making public school extracurricular activities available to children who are homeschooled.
A busy day
Turner is 40. His age was one of the first things he was asked about at today’s event in Las Cruces.
“You look young. That’s great. It’s about time we get rid of some of the old farts in there,” Las Crucen Ramón Montijo said. “We need youth.”
Despite his age, Turner has built up quite a résumé as a political consultant over the years. He was state director for Johnson’s first campaign in 1994 and manager of his re-election campaign in 1998. Turner was also deputy political director for Steve Forbes’ unsuccessful 2000 presidential campaign.
The public relations professional is doing something different today than the other candidates in the primary race did when they announced their candidacies. In addition to Las Cruces, he was scheduled to make five additional stops on today’s announcement tour – in Roswell, Clovis, Farmington, Taos and Albuquerque.
By contrast, the three other candidates in the GOP primary race — state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque, Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez and former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh — made their formal announcements only in their hometowns – Las Cruces for Martinez and Albuquerque for Arnold-Jones and Weh.
“Anyone who suggests they can run a race from Albuquerque or from Las Cruces… is kidding themselves,” Turner said in explaining his announcement schedule.
To be fair, the other candidates have been traveling the state, just not on the day of their formal entry into the race.
‘We have a real opportunity’
Turner is trying to make his way through the GOP primary to face likely Democratic nominee Diane Denish, the lieutenant governor, next November. Denish has more than $2 million on hand for her campaign. But Turner said she’s not unbeatable.
“Our polling, and every visit we’ve made around the state, indicates that it is possible,” Turner said. “… There are a lot of young people and others coming into our party.”
“We have a real opportunity in New Mexico right now to win this race,” Turner said.
Update, 1:25 p.m.
Josh Geise, executive director of the state Democratic Party, issued this statement:
“We wish Doug Turner luck as he begins his transformation from a political operative and special interest lobbyist to a candidate for public office. However, while Turner may have an impressive track record helping politicians and special interests get ahead, New Mexicans deserve a governor with an impressive record of helping families get ahead. New Mexico families need a governor who is prepared to make our state a leader in the 21st century economy and, needless to say, that’s not Doug Turner.”
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There is a saying that God helps those who help themselves. I believe this to be a truism. If the people of this state vote in people like the last administration under Richardson, (our lieutenant Governor has been part of that administration) then the people have learned nothing. The answer to the problem lies in learning by the mistakes that have been made.
I agree with Ramirez that we have to get serious about electing good representatives in Santa Fe and in our nation. We can ill afford to have a nation that continuously says ‘don’t rock the boat’ or tries to hide from the truth of what is and has been in the past.
If we as a people are dumb enough not to correct our mistakes then we will deserve what we get and that includes our city, county, state and Federal officials. Sticking our head in the sand and hoping that everything will be all right just won’t get it done.
It is time to stand up and be counted! Electing people like Sharon Thomas to the city is a mistake and we should all see it from her past actions. Electing anyone who would spend our tax dollar foolishly is a mistake and we should learn by it especially in these sad economic times. The city as well as the state should be cutting back, not spending more and raising taxes.
Apparently Heather Wilson has announced that she will not run for Governor in 2010 (Thanks Heath!)
Now is the time for Republicans to get serious. We need to eliminate a primary NOW.
Republicans do not have the luxury to have one now, and we need to get ready to put some fairly unknown candidates against the political machine that has ruled for far too long…
It’s time to get serious, for New Mexico’s sake.
platners:
What Republican leadership? Richardson, a DEMOCRAT is finishing up his second term as governor! The tired old tactic of blaming everything on Republicans just isn’t going to work anymore.
You said that, “These issues “trickled-down” from the national level…” How are the problems with the education system in New Mexico a “trickle-down?” Your comments make no sense.
alexthorne:
Your absolutely correct about the shortcomings but you over-simplify; the above items you mention are part of a larger picture. These issues “trickled-down” from the national level, which are “well-documented” consequences of Republican leadership. As New Mexico is high-marginalized, the effects are naturally exacerbated, since there is no insulation from these larger causes.
Now on to other items…
I really hope that these Republicans aren’t getting too excited just because of the outcomes seen in the La ‘Burque municipal elections. Do they realize that what happened there was the effect of a split Democratic vote? I really doubt the Lt, Governor is beatable. The Republicans have split as a party, just look at whats happening in our neighboring state, which is the largest Republican state. They are split between xenophobic, ultra-conservative views and the more medially, business-orientated ones.
Just like what happens in California so goes the Democrats, and what happens in Texas, so goes the Republicans. By that logic, 2010 won’t be a pretty year for Republicans…(especially now, that the economy is on the way up!)
The problems, the way our state has gone down hill in its economy, the loss of stature in our national education standings, the lack of jobs and the scandals that have plagued our state under the Richardson administration, not to mention the extravagant spending on boondoggles like the Road Runner shows the Governor’s lack of leadership within the state. The appointing of his supporters to positions within the administration and his refusal to do away with many of those same positions with this shortfall in our budget is a reflection of a Governor that cares only for himself and his supporters and not for the people.
Josh Geise is only trying to tear down a good man, who has the interest of the people at the forefront. Geise wants to build the belief that the only way for the state to go is Democrat and that has been proven wrong over the past years. To be a good leader takes honesty and accountability to the people and to the platform on which a candidate runs. This is not something that can be accredited to our present administration.
I will repeat an old cliché: “Be careful what you wish for and whom you vote for, for you just might have to live with it”. A person who has the interest of the voter in mind while running is a person who is thinking of what he can gain by his office, but the person who has the interest of all the people he is to represent is a person who will work hard for those self-same people when elected, whether he is Independent, Democrat or Republican.
It is my belief that a great many people have had their eyes opened by the National election. When a person votes for a straight ticket, that person is fooling his own mind into thinking that everyone in a certain party is the best for them. This is a fallacy that has been perpetrated for many years. Beware a ticket will not feed you. The man running for the office is the person you should be thinking about and looking to when you cast that vote.
Under a Democratic administration New Mexicans have graduation rates and test scores well below the national average, higher unemployment, slow job growth, high profile political scandals and corruption. Josh Geise feels the need to attack Turner because he has nothing positive to say about the Democrats’ poor record.