Pearce to hold third town hall
Congressman Steve Pearce plans to hold a town hall in Las Cruces on Saturday.
The Republican representative for New Mexico’s sprawling second district held a rowdy town hall in Ruidoso attended by nearly 300 people earlier this month — the first since the election of President Donald Trump in November. Last weekend, he held a second event in Hobbs.
Republicans nationwide have faced large crowds at town halls, many voicing concerns about the fate of health care.
Democrats in Las Cruces staged a fake town hall at Pearce’s office last month, asking the congressman to come to town.
“I’m fortunate to represent a district that is so passionate and engaged in issues that affect the livelihoods of themselves, their families and that of New Mexico,” Pearce said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Districts across the nation are facing a difficult political climate right now, which is why I have invited leadership from Indivisible Groups of Southern New Mexico to co-host this town hall with me,” he said, referring to a progressive movement that is employing tactics akin to the Tea Party to rally the Democratic base.
The town hall scheduled for noon Saturday at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum will be Pearce’s third in-person town hall this month.
The second congressional district is the fifth-largest in the nation, spanning from Silver City to Hobbs, Socorro to Las Cruces and the length of the state’s border with Mexico.
In Ruidoso, concerns about the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, plans for public lands and education policy dominated the two-hour event.
“I enjoy having a direct yet respectful conversation about the priorities of New Mexico, and I look forward to doing so this weekend in Las Cruces,” Pearce said.