Tackle tough issues head on
New Mexicans deserve better health care, education, infrastructure and economy
On June 5, N.M. Democrats will elect a slate of leaders committed to getting our state and country back on track. When it comes to choosing the party’s contender for lieutenant governor, I am the best candidate for two important reasons.
First, I am the only candidate for lieutenant governor who is calling for transformational change to improve living conditions and expand opportunities for all New Mexicans.
The status quo is not working. Over 20 percent of our residents live in poverty. Ten percent of New Mexicans lack access to health care. Our teachers are underpaid, and many schools are in disrepair. Our unemployment is one of the highest in the nation.
Tinkering around the edges will not get us there. New Mexicans deserve affordable and accessible health care, a first-class public education system, up-to-date infrastructure and a robust economy. And we cannot do any of this at the expense of the environment.
The only way to address these issues is to tackle them at the same time. All are important; all are interconnected. Change to one system will affect all the others. Progress is incremental, so it will be important to get the most out of each step while staying on course.
My career includes extensive experience with strategic planning, community development and organizational change. The framework of transformational change — and its associated values — will help the governor and legislators pursue short-term objectives without losing track of long-term goals.
The other candidates for lieutenant governor are focused on a few specific issues. I offer a broader and more inclusive perspective.
The second reason I am the best candidate is that I am the only one committed to maximizing the unique potential of this position. Others talk about the lieutenant governor position as if it were legislative or administrative in nature. It is not. Nor is the position equal to that of the governor, in any sense, unless the governor is out of state or the seat becomes vacant.
The lieutenant governor has a workload based on statutory responsibilities, standing within the executive branch and personal initiative.
Based on statute, the incumbent serves as president of the Senate and sits on eight boards or commissions. All these positions are important and would receive my attention. My work in southern New Mexico and interest in affordable housing has prepared me especially well to serve on the Border and Spaceport authorities as well as the Mortgage Finance Authority. And, after nearly eight years as a county commissioner, including two-and-a-half as chair, I look forward to working with the Senate.
The lieutenant governor also serves as “ombudsman for the People of New Mexico.” To that end, I have suggested the office foster public engagement by all state agencies, restore the value of mutual respect, and serve as an incubator for solutions to social and environmental justice issues. Years of experience in planning and social justice advocacy have prepared me for this role.
Moving to less well-defined aspects of the position, it is important to recognize that the lieutenant governor is the second-highest elected official in the executive branch. To improve government services I have proposed establishment of a Center for Excellence under the lieutenant governor. The center would be a management resource focused on ethics, operational assessments, and crafting of new initiatives.
I am well-qualified to lead this effort based on a diverse career in architecture and organizational management spanning more than 34 years in the public sector.
Finally, I must emphasize the importance of the lieutenant governor as a sounding board and representative for the governor. I have worked successfully as a deputy for three senior managers and would welcome the opportunity to help our next governor in whatever way I can.
In conclusion, New Mexico deserves a lieutenant governor with the experience and vision to use the position as an instrument of change. I am ready for that challenge.