The UNM student group Conservative Republicans hosted a forum Thursday for only the most bona fide, through and through Republican primary candidates.
Unlike the College Republicans, who generally support any Republican candidates, the Conservative Republicans only support candidates whom they deem unequivocally conservative, said Donald Gluck, president of UNM Conservative Republicans.
“We advocate for conservative principles as stated in the Declaration of Independence, as codified in the Constitution and as practiced by Ronald Reagan,” Gluck said in an e-mail. “Our political vehicle is not fringe or third parties, but a Republican Party that adheres to these principles.”
The group avoids Republicans whom they identify as harboring an inkling of liberal or moderate views, Gluck said.
The candidates invited to the forum were William Kurth and Daniel Houston, both candidates for Bernalillo County Sheriff; Errol Chavez, candidate for New Mexico State Auditor; and District 5 Bernalillo County Commission candidate Wayne Johnson.
The Conservative Republicans’ first purpose, as defined by the group’s bylaws, is to make the Republican Party a “conservative bastion, and thus the home for a majority of Americans.”
Supporting conservative candidates for public office streamlines the party and achieves the group’s second purpose to “prevent the splintering of the conservative movement by thwarting third and fringe parties.”
“Individual liberty and the American way of life are in peril,” Gluck said. “We believe that the New Mexico Republican Party, dedicated to conservative principles, can provide the way forward.”
The forum’s candidates highlighted their conservative credentials in explaining why they are running for public office.
Johnson said dependency upon the government diminishes individual choice and responsibility.
“Conservatives embrace freedom and responsibility versus dependency and absolutism,” he said. “Everything government does for you takes away your freedom.”
Chavez, candidate for state auditor, said that his 35-year career as a law enforcement agent has been anchored by conservative beliefs, and that equips him for the job.
“I’ve been involved with conservative issues my entire career,” Chavez said. “When the state auditor was identified as a position a Republican can fill, I jumped at the opportunity.”
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Kurth, candidate for Bernalillo County Sheriff whom the Conservative Republicans endorsed, said that as a conservative he will integrate and rely more upon community involvement if elected sheriff.
“I’m a big believer in that the most man power or the best gadget isn’t going to make it. It’s about community,” Kurth said.
Kurth also said that Gov. Bill Richardson and former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez have allowed Bernalillo County to be seen as a “sanctuary” for “narco-terrorists,” because the county is lax about enforcing federal immigration rules.
“I describe going after narco-terrorists who are … solely here to prey on our citizens,” Chavez said. “They’re here because we’re viewed largely as a community which doesn’t correspond with Homeland Security.”
Gluck said that between now and the June 1 primary elections, the Conservative Republicans will identify and work for the most conservative candidates at all levels of government.
As an example, the Conservative Republicans are supporting and working for Susana Martinez’s campaign for governor, Gluck said.
