Democratic candidate for governor Bill Richardson visited UNM campus Monday to greet students and get the word out to college voters that he was running for one of the state's highest offices.
"I want to send students a message that higher education is part of my education agenda," Richardson said.
The former secretary of the Department of Energy said he was on campus not to push his agenda and sway voters by discussing the issues, but rather to get his image and name out among young college voters.
Richardson, who strolled through "Welcome Back Week" displays, mostly shook hands with students and waved to just about anyone who made eye contact with him.
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Charissa Nyborg, freshmen biology major, shook Richardson's hand as he passed by her.
He said "Hi, I'm Bill Richardson - remember that," Nyborg said.
Nicholas Engquist, freshmen biochemistry major, said he was interested in hearing more about Richardson's stance on some important issues.
"He was saying 'Vote for me, vote for me,' and I was saying 'Not until you tell me what you stand for,'" Engquist said. "I'm not gonna vote for a guy just because he puts his hand on my shoulder."
Representatives of the College Democrats sponsored Richardson's visit, which began at the University House and continued past "Welcome Back Week" tents and displays. They also distributed bumper stickers and other campaign material in his wake.
"Hopefully it will get students involved in voting," said Erin Teske, vice president of the College Democrats.
The group helped bring Richardson to campus by scheduling the hour-long tour said Marshall Martinez, president of the College Democrats. College Democrat officials also helped register students to vote.
Teske said students who become active in the College Democrats group help the organization by working on general agenda items such as registering voters, but also by working on specific campaigns such as Diane Denish's campaign for lieutenant governor.
Denish was scheduled to make an appearance on campus with Richardson, but did not arrive while Richardson was on campus.
"I never got a confirmation that she is going to be here," Martinez said.
Martinez said Denish will be on campus Wednesday to celebrate Women's and Culture Day. He added that his group is attempting to bring as many female candidates and female campaign managers to campus from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Richardson said his education agenda includes: higher salaries for faculty, a stable tuition rate, increasing UNM's role as an agent in economic development and maintaining the integrity of the Lottery Scholarship.
"It should go for students," he said.
Richardson added that he would like to develop a scholarship program for students who earn education degrees in New Mexico, but only if they agree to remain in the state.
