Gubernatorial candidate Diane Denish pulled out the big guns in Española on Thursday with campaign help from former president Bill Clinton.
Clinton reminded thousands of cheering and enthusiastic supporters of Republican candidate for Governor Susan Martinez’s Texas roots. He said water rights issues need to be at the forefront of northern New Mexicans’ minds.
“I feel bad about Texas being short of water. Really, I do,” Clinton said. “But, you know, I don’t feel so bad that I think they should have two governors and New Mexico none.”
Clinton repeatedly tied Martinez to Texas.
Many of Martinez’s largest contributions have been from Texas-based companies and citizens, according to Denish’s campaign. Bob Perry and his wife, both from Houston, donated $450,000 to Martinez’s campaign May 4, according to Martinez’s May 28 finance report.
Elmer Maestas, a native northern New Mexican, said he opposes Martinez and Republican ideas about privatizing Social Security.
“That is the worst thing that can happen to northern New Mexico, where there are a lot of poor and low income people that depend on it,” he said. “I think ‘Susan la Tejana’ should have stayed in Texas. She is heavily funded by Texas. What business do they have funding a candidate who is going to run the state of New Mexico?”
Clinton said Denish is the only candidate with the political experience to create jobs and cut state spending.
New Mexico House Speaker Ben Lujan said that this election signifies more than voting for a woman to be governor; it will have lasting state impacts.
“We need a person with the necessary experience to run our state government,” Lujan said. “We are in dire need of leadership in our state. She knows our state legislators and our budget. Diane Denish is the best person for the job.”
