Doug Turner says his age is one thing that sets him apart from other potential 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidates. At 40, he’s younger than the others who are running or openly considering it.
“I think I would probably bring a different energy,” Turner said today in a phone interview. “ … I think I bring a sense of the possible to the table. I’m one of these people who believes anything is possible if you get the right people together behind the right ideas.”
Turner, who described himself as a moderate Republican, is the CEO of the Albuquerque-based public relations firm DW Turner. He was state director for former Gov. Gary Johnson’s first campaign in 1994 and manager of his re-election campaign in 1998. Turner was also deputy political director for Steve Forbes’ unsuccessful 2000 presidential campaign.
He has been traveling the state to meet with people and done polling, and said he is “just trying to get my finger around what the vibe is.” Turner said he’ll make a final decision on whether to run in six or eight weeks. In the meantime, he won’t form an exploratory committee, as some others have done.
“I’m either going to do it or not do it,” Turner said.
‘A significant battle ahead of me’
If he runs, Turner will probably face some serious competition in the GOP primary. Albuquerque financial adviser and Army National Guard brigadier general Greg Zanetti has formally announced his candidacy. State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones and former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh have formed exploratory committees.
Former Republican U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson are also considering the race. Wilson said Friday she hasn’t made a decision on whether to run. Pearce now says his decision will come toward the end of July.
Meanwhile, the only declared Democratic candidate is Lt. Gov. Diane Denish. Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez says he’s formed an exploratory committee as he considers challenging Denish for the nomination.
Because he’s been a political operative and spent his career in public relations and communications, Turner knows what it takes to run for office, he said. He’s aware that he has very low name identification, “so I know that I have a significant battle ahead of me.”
Turner said his work has taught him “a lot about a lot of the issues affecting the state in a very deep sense,” and he mentioned energy and education. He said he has spent only a handful of days in the Roundhouse, so he will “hopefully bring a breath of fresh air to a party I think wants it and that believes that, with the right candidates and the right energy, we can win in 2010.”
“I think there is a need and a desire for some new energy,” Turner said.