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	Candidate Joe Campos outlines his plans for renewable energy at the Democratic Lt. Governor candidate’s forum Jan. 14 at the UNM School of Law. The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County sponsored the event, and topics ranged from public school reform to the budget crisis.

Candidate Joe Campos outlines his plans for renewable energy at the Democratic Lt. Governor candidate’s forum Jan. 14 at the UNM School of Law. The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County sponsored the event, and topics ranged from public school reform to the budget crisis.

Lt. Gov. hopefuls weigh myriad issues

More than 200 UNM students and community members came to the UNM School of Law last Thursday to decide which Democratic lieutenant governor candidate they would support.

Students voiced ideas for change to the five candidates — Jerry Ortiz y Pino, Lawrence Rael, Joe Campos, Linda Lopez and Brian Colon — during the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County’s lieutenant governor candidates’ forum.

“I just came to see what the different candidates for lieutenant governor have to say. There are so many running, it’s kind of exciting,” said student Jake Wellman. “The health care debate — that’s a big thing. Also, a huge issue to me is the environment and higher education.”

Each candidate was asked five questions with topics including national health care and tax increases.

Diane Denish, New Mexico’s lieutenant governor, is running for governor during the November elections.

Candidate Jerry Ortiz y Pino — a state senator for five years — said it is necessary to advocate for changes in government that Democrats want.

“Most of the other candidates are wonderful people, but they’re very centrist in their views,” Ortiz y Pino said. “I think that if we mimic the Republicans by offering centrist candidates, we’re going to have a hard time attracting the voters that elected Obama.”

Ortiz y Pino said his first priority, if elected, would be to fix New Mexico’s tax policy. He said the tax laws on the books now give cuts to the wealthy and put a burden on the poor.

Candidate Joe Campos, mayor of Santa Rosa and a state representative, said his recent trip to Germany solidified the importance of his main campaign platform — renewable energy. He also said he is in favor of national health care.

“I am a perfect example of good health care,” he said at the forum. “Just two years ago, I had a disk removed in my back. I was pretty much a cripple. Good health care is able to help people become productive citizens in our community. It’s not something that has to be a privilege. It is a right.”

Candidate Lawrence Rael said he favors health care for children and seniors. However, he said New Mexico shouldn’t pass a bill for statewide health care until there is action at the national level first.

Also, according to Rael’s Web site, he managed and planned the Rail Runner and Explora science center.

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“When you look at projects like the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, it was a project that has been talked about for 30 years, and I did it in 5 years,” he said. “I’ve managed million dollar budgets.”

Candidate Linda Lopez said that as a single mother and caretaker of her mom, she will pursue legislation that will help children and seniors.
“I’m not shy. I’m not afraid to take on anybody to debate, whatever the issue is,” she said. “I’m a fighter.”

Lopez said she would travel around the state to get a better idea of what New Mexicans need. She also said she would tackle problems like the high school drop-out rate and behavioral health.

Candidate Brian Colon said education is his most important initiative. He said graduation rates aren’t always indicative of how well kids are doing in school. Literacy rates and competency scores are sometimes more important, he said.

Colon also spoke about his desire to give back to the state of New Mexico.

“I came from a home of poverty. My parents were on welfare,” he said. “I was the first in my family to go to college. I have an obligation to live a life of gratitude and service, and that’s what I try to do every day.”

Colon said he traveled to all 33 counties in New Mexico and will use what he learned to make decisions in office.

Arman Salehian, president of the UNM College Democrats, said he came to the forum to see which candidate would best represent college students and New Mexico. Salehian said the election for lieutenant governor is important and will affect UNM.

“Lieutenant governor has a very influential role on how things are done up in Santa Fe,” Salehian said. “When it comes to budgeting, UNM gets a lot of money from the state House and the state legislature. If we have a strong advocate for lieutenant governor, we can make sure the UNM experience is best for all students.”

The Republican candidates for lieutenant governor have no plans to hold a similar forum, said a representative from the Republican Party of Bernalillo County.

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