Wilson tries to set herself apart from Pearce, Udall

U.S. Senate candidate Heather Wilson urged young people to get involved in the political process and took a few shots at her opponents during a visit with college Republicans at New Mexico State University on Thursday.

Seeking to set herself apart, the Republican representative of the Albuquerque-area First Congressional District characterized U.S. Rep. Tom Udall as “too liberal” and a poor leader. She said U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, under the guise of fiscal conservatism, won’t boost funding for any program, even when additional money is necessary for measures like increasing the number of Border Patrol agents.

“I think we need a commonsense conservative,” Wilson said.

She called Pearce, who she’s facing in the GOP primary, a friend with whom she agrees on many issues. But she said he voted against funding for more Border Patrol agents and for an amendment that would have cut funding for Los Alamos National Laboratory beyond the cuts Democrats sought last year, all “under the guise of fiscal conservatism.”

“We differ not on rhetoric but on my willingness to act on what I believe,” Wilson said.

The congresswoman said she favors small government but seeks to attain it through cutting programs that aren’t working, not implementing across-the-board cuts that could harm programs that are effective.

She pointed out that Udall, the likely Democratic nominee for the Senate seat, voted for the Democratic-sponsored cuts in lab funding, and said the nation can’t afford “that lack of leadership in the U.S. Senate.” She also cited two bills she sponsored for Udall’s district, saying that was necessary because he “is just not very effective.”

Wilson, focusing on the issue of electability, said she is the best Republican candidate to take on Udall. She pointed out that she has survived several tough challenges in a Democratic-leaning district. She said the average Republican candidate gets 47 percent of the vote in her district.

“I’ve demonstrated the ability to outperform the average Republican,” Wilson said. “… So I know how to fight and win.”

Urging young people to get involved

About 10 people showed up to hear Wilson speak – a turnout that may have been low because the event took place at the same time as an Aggie home basketball game – but Wilson thanked them and pleaded with them to get involved in the political process. She asked them to volunteer with her campaign and urged them to attend their county party convention and seek to become delegates to the state convention in March.

“I think you should have delegates at this convention,” Wilson said. “It shouldn’t be all of us who should be getting our hair colored.”

Wilson pointed out that she is the youngest of the three members of Congress running for the Senate seat, and said Pete Domenici, in retiring, is passing the torch to the next generation. Wilson said she got involved in government and rose to become a congresswoman by taking advantage of opportunities to serve, and urged the young people to do the same. She said that would lead to bigger and better opportunities throughout life.

“Someday, I’m going to be announcing that I’m going to retire, and I’d like to see one of you step into this breach,” Wilson said.