Haaland's New Mexico: Favoritism for Friends. Hull's New Mexico: Opportunity for All

The contrast between Haaland and Hull could not be greater. The stakes for the New Mexico People could not be higher. The race is close enough to demonstrate to New Mexico Republicans why a splintered party cannot win a statewide race. The Candidates The candidates bring very different backgrounds, governing records, constituencies, and philosophies to the race. At the same time, recent polling shows a competitive contest: a Research & Polling survey of 516 likely voters found Haaland at 49%, Hull at 43%, and 8% undecided. Deb Haaland Deb Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and made history as the first Native American to serve as a United States Cabinet secretary. Her tenure as Secretary of the Interior also gives voters a substantial record to examine. One of her most controversial decisions came in 2023, when Pueblos and the Navajo Nation were on the cusp of agreeing on a five-mile energy production ban around Chaco Canyon National Park. Haaland unilaterally withdrew federal public lands within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Canyon from oil and gas leases but allowed solar energy production. The first time since the Indian wars of the 1800's that an Interior Secretary trampled the sovereignty of a Native American entity. That unilateral action raises a broader question:How would Haaland balance Native American interests with those of all New Mexicans who depend on access to public lands?This is not hypothetical; the Sandia Pueblo is seeking control of the Western Slope of the Sandia, which is part of the Cibola National Forest. Labor policy provides another clear distinction. Haaland has received substantial organized-labor support, including endorsements from the New Mexico AFL-CIO, machinists, public employees, and other unions. In return, she has stated that she supports organized labor and union agreements. How did Governor Richardson's administration support the unions for endorsing his gubernatorial and presidential campaigns? He enacted the first union (AFL-CIO & Teamsters) only construction project in New Mexico and recognized public employee unions (AFSCME). Since then, teachers' unions (AFT & NEA) have controlled the state's education system; entertainment unions (IATSE & SAG-AFTRA) have controlled hiring. Haaland could expand the unions' reach into every business that contracts with the state directly or indirectly. Could union-only agreements be a requirement for future oil and gas leases, school projects, and infrastructure projects? If that happens, could every company that signs a labor agreement be on the hook for the union's underfunded retirement plans? New Mexico employers and employees deserve answers before November. Gregg Hull Gregg Hull offers voters a very different résumé. His political identity has largely been built during his years as mayor of Rio Rancho. His governing style has attracted far less national attention than Haaland's, making his municipal record particularly important. When Hull became mayor twelve years ago, I still viewed Rio Rancho largely as Albuquerque's bedroom community. Today Rio Rancho is driving the economy of the Middle Rio Grande Valley. The contrast between the two cities is striking. The cities differ substantially in population, demographics, governmental responsibilities, and economic circumstances, so comparisons require caution. Nevertheless, voters can examine Rio Rancho's experience with public safety, economic development, education, and quality of life when evaluating Hull's record. One particularly visible development has been Intel's continued investment in its Rio Rancho operation. Those investments matter because New Mexico has struggled for decades to diversify an economy heavily dependent on government and oil-and-gas revenues. Hull has also proposed eliminating New Mexico's personal income tax, arguing that enormous oil-and-gas revenues give the state an opportunity to reduce the tax burden on its residents. That proposal deserves scrutiny: How much would it cost? How quickly could it be implemented? And how would New Mexico protect essential services during an oil-price downturn? Two Very Different Administrations Haaland's tenure at Interior gives voters an unusually substantial federal record by which to judge a gubernatorial candidate. Her Chaco decision shows her willingness to restrict future development when she believes cultural and environmental considerations justify it. Her organized-labor support suggests labor policy would also be important in her administration. But voters should press beyond general statements. Would Haaland support Project Labor Agreements on state construction projects? How would she balance oil-and-gas production against environmental and tribal concerns? What would her policies mean for ranchers, contractors, and companies operating on state lands? Hull faces a different test. If his argument is that Rio Rancho provides a model for New Mexico, voters should ask whether policies successful in one city can work statewide. How would he address homelessness and addiction? Improve schools? Attract good-paying employers without excessive taxpayer incentives? Replace revenue lost by eliminating the personal income tax? The choice isn't simply Democrat versus Republican. The choice is: Haaland, who will reward her friends, resulting in New Mexico remaining at the bottom of all the states. Gregg Hull will lead New Mexico off the bottom of all the states, resulting in opportunities for all New Mexicans Share The positions stated in this article come from my experiences as the 2018 US Senate candidate, meeting elected officials in Santa Fe and Washington, and attending committee hearings in Santa Fe; as a forty-four-year open shop contractor interacting with a pro-organized labor state and local governments; once provided services to the entertainment industry; my interactions with members of the Pueblos, Tribes and the Navajo Nation; as well as my research on this specific topic. Subscribe now