VIEWS ON TOP ISSUES
1. What are the top two things you would propose to address the state’s high crime rate?
CHANDLER: The certainty of being caught deters crime, but increasing the level of penalties does not. We must improve the effectiveness of the police and courts. Encourage triage: imprison serious and violent offenders; divert low level offenders to treatment and education; and provide effective rehabilitation for the incarcerated.
SHEEHEY: Reduce crime by prevention and rehabilitation. Early intervention programs to help troubled youth will lead to more people working and fewer into drugs and crime. Addiction and behavioral health treatment, and job training programs for incarcerated offenders are proven to result in fewer repeat offenders.
2. Do you support or oppose legalizing recreational marijuana use in New Mexico and taxing its sales?
CHANDLER: I support the de-criminalization of the possession of small qualities of marijuana for personal use.
SHEEHEY: I support legalizing recreational marijuana use in New Mexico for those 21 and over, and taxing its sales. At least half of the taxes raised should be used for drug and alcohol education and rehabilitation programs.
3. Do you support or oppose raising New Mexico’s minimum wage, currently $7.50 per hour? If so, by how much?
CHANDLER: Yes, ultimately to $12.00/ hour, phased in over a reasonable period of time. Workers must be able to earn a living wage to support themselves and their families. SHEEHEY: I support raising the minimum wage to at least $10 per hour to start, with indexing to keep up with inflation.
4. Do you favor making New Mexico a sanctuary state?
CHANDLER: The term sanctuary state means different things to different people depending on perspective. State officials must and should follow applicable federal law; however, it has been held by the federal courts that the federal government cannot require state officials to enforce federal laws.
SHEEHEY: I believe the United States is a sanctuary country by the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees all persons due process and equal protection of the law. If the Constitution is upheld, there should be no need for “sanctuary states.” New Mexico is a state of many cultures; all should be welcome.
5. What would you support to make New Mexico schools safer? Would that include changing New Mexico’s gun laws? If so, what specific changes to the gun laws would you support?
CHANDLER: Many schools require improved perimeter and access controls, as well as enhanced training for staff, students and parents. We also need greater availability of behavioral health resources in the schools and elsewhere. Requiring universal background checks is an important first step to changing our gun laws.
SHEEHEY: I support in-school police officers and in-school health care offices, including mental health, to provide early treatment of mental health problems that lead to violence. I support thorough background checks on all sales of guns, using an improved national instant criminal background check system (including mental health information).