Allen Weh, Republican gubernatorial candidate, wants to fight government corruption, strengthen the school system, fix the budget, create new jobs and make safety a top priority.
“I am going to make sure that our University system is responsible so we keep tuition rates under control. Also, we should spend our money on the core mission of the University. That mission is teaching the students in the classroom and keeping our faculty,” Weh said. “You can’t lose great faculty and keep a great University.”
Weh is a graduate of UNM and holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. He spoke to students, faculty and staff Thursday in the SUB Atrium.
“The University of New Mexico is where I made my formal announcement last year,” he said. “The University is and should be our flagship institution, which means it is an institution that will need my help.”
Weh said he wants to jump-start New Mexico’s economy and repair the education system.
“We shouldn’t have a tuition increase in the double digits. It is not necessary,” Weh said. “The tuition increase means that we are spending money on things that are not necessary. I want to be able to put someone accountable of the spending.”
He said New Mexico’s budget problem found its way to the University level, and he wants to end government corruption.
“You can’t just end corruption. There is more to it,” he said. “First of all, we need to jump-start our economy. Secondly, we need to create government policies that will help and encourage jobs. I will be an advocate for the growth of the private sector.”
Weh said he understands budgeting and the needs of the economy because of his experience in owning a business. He is the chief executive officer of CSI Aviation Services, Inc.
“You cannot lead people if you don’t know how to care for a person,” he said. “I have three children and four grandchildren. One of them has severe autism. I have human issues and I have compassion.”
Weh said he will enforce laws on the books regarding health care, public safety and immigration.
“I want to tighten law enforcement,” he said. “With this, we will make strides in public safety. I want to enforce the laws that we already have on the book. I don’t need to create new policies or laws; we first need to enforce the ones we have.”
Weh sat down with students to answer questions and discuss his platform. Wesley Henderson, a junior, said he supports Weh.
“He is a devoted family man. He wants to bring change throughout the state of New Mexico,” Henderson said. “The first thing that really appealed to me was that he takes a truck to get around the state instead of a plane like Gov. (Bill) Richardson. That probably saves us about $250,000 a year. I think that will really help us out in the long run, by cutting down useless needs.”
He said another big thing that attracted him to Weh was that Weh is a veteran of the Marine Corps.
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“I think it is a really big thing to have a governor who has that military background at this time,” Henderson said. “I think this campus is very liberal and democratic. Even though there is a small few Republicans, I want to show my support for him.”
Henderson said he encourages students to support Weh because students are affected by the budget shortfall and are the voice of the University.
“I want to see him come through and take us out of this budget shortfall,” Henderson said. “I know there are a lot of nonprofit organizations that are getting cuts. I think there is a way to keep these great things while maintaining a good budget.”
Laura Torres, a member of the UNM College Republicans, said she attended to hear what Weh had to say.
“I agree with all his standpoints. It comes down to what you hope to happen, and I am part of the UNM College Republicans. We helped host the event,” Torres said. “The Weh campaign really wanted to come and interact with students.”
She said she would like to see Weh enforce laws if he is elected governor.
“My main concern is the health care plan. I would like to see him deal with it on a state level. It would be good to have someone like Weh be governor because of his intimacy with the current laws,” Torres said.
