Mesilla Mayor Pro Tem Jesus M. Caro has decided to challenge state Rep. Joni Gutierrez in the 2008 Democratic primary.
Caro began informing supporters of his decision on Thursday.
“I really could do what I’m doing now at the town of
Gutierrez could not be reached for comment. Caro’s candidacy could present a serious challenge to the three-year representative of District 33. Born and raised in Mesilla, Caro has been a town trustee for 12 years. Gutierrez is influential, but many in communities south of Mesilla are unhappy with what they believe she has done – or hasn’t done – for them since taking office.
The district stretches from
Caro said he was pushed by a group of activists to run against Gutierrez. The same activists helped convince Doña Ana County Commissioner Oscar Vásquez Butler to announce Thursday that he’s taking on Senate Majority Whip Mary Jane Garcia in the 2008 Democratic primary.
Caro said he has known Gutierrez a long time and went to school with her brothers, but didn’t get to know her until she moved to Mesilla to run for the House seat. In the interview, he wasn’t highly critical of her.
“There were a few things that I might have thought that she could have looked at a little bit better for our interests, but I’m really not so much running against her as I am running for the position so I can fight for things up here that we need in the area,” he said. “Having grown up here and knowing the people and knowing what their values and issues are, I think I can better address and meet their needs.”
Caro said he’ll develop a campaign platform as he meets with people throughout the district and hears their concerns.
“I want to be a little bit open-minded and see what others think, and then later say what I would do on those issues,” he said.
Caro has been outspoken about growth, pushing for strict policies in Mesilla.
“We know that growth is inevitable but what we want is controlled growth, to try to sustain our way of life as long as possible,” he said.
Opposition to spaceport and tax increase
Caro has been an outspoken opponent of Spaceport America and the county gross receipts tax increase that is helping fund its construction, while Gutierrez has been one of the most outspoken among the county’s legislative delegation in favor of the spaceport and the tax.
Caro is a retired engineer from
He also believes the entire state, not just a few poor southern counties, should have to raise taxes to help fund the spaceport.
Caro is married and has three children and six grandchildren. Until recently, he worked as an educational assistant at
Caro, who was re-elected to the town’s board in 2005, said he would step down from the trustee position if he found both required more than he could give.
“At this time, I think I can probably handle both,” he said.
He acknowledged that defeating Gutierrez will be tough, but said he has never considered himself a politician and is running because he wants to help – something he can also continue to do in the trustee position.
“If I don’t win, I’ll just continue with what I’m doing here,” Caro said.
Gutierrez upset many liberal Democrats during this year’s legislative session for her flip-flopping votes on a bill that would provide an $85-million tax break for the Desert Rock coal plant on the Navajo Nation. Gutierrez originally voted with other Democrats on a committee to table the bill. Under pressure, she made a motion two weeks later to reconsider the bill and voted with Republicans to bring it back to life.
But hard lobbying and pressure from environmental groups and colleagues convinced Gutierrez to change her mind again and vote with Democrats to permanently shelve the bill for the remainder of the session. Throughout, Gutierrez refused to speak publicly about the situation, angering many.
The tax credit was controversial because the plant will send an estimated 10.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year. Gov. Bill Richardson has a goal of reducing such emissions throughout the state by 11 million tons each year.