Turner, shown here during today’s formal announcement in Las Cruces. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
The economy, education and ethics were among the primary issues Doug Turner spoke about as he formally announced his entrance into the gubernatorial race earlier today in Las Cruces.
Speaking about what is probably the hottest issue in New Mexico days after lawmakers met to address a massive budget shortfall, Turner said the state’s economy is “in a really bad state” and pointed to the possibility of a budget shortfall of $1 billion when lawmakers meet again in January.
Turner said state government is bloated, having more employees than ever before.
“I think we ought to get rid of a lot of those folks, whether it be by attrition or other means,” he said.
Turner said he loves New Mexico, but, as a small businessman, he knows it’s tough to run a business here. Tying the business climate and ethics together, he said he was called by a “friend in Santa Fe” a few weeks ago and informed that “the governor had put out a call that I was blacklisted, that my firm was blacklisted — no more state contracts.”
Turner said that is no big deal for his public relations firm, DW Turner, because it has only one state contract, but it’s indicative of “the climate we’re dealing with.”
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for a response.
Turner took another pointed shot at Gov. Bill Richardson when he said that ethics is a function of leadership.
“How do we have an honest government in New Mexico when we’ve been on the front page of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, (for) pay to play?” he asked. “… Generally, I believe that an honest leader will appoint honest people. I believe I am that leader.”
Turner also talked about education, telling the 10 or so people who trekked to the Doña Ana County Republican Party Headquarters before 8 a.m. to meet him that he worked with former Gov. Gary Johnson to promote vouchers and currently sits on the board of the New Mexico Charter Schools Association. He said he supports vouchers and also believes charter school funding should be equal to the funding for other public schools.
Turner said the state should offer more help for homeschooling, perhaps by providing textbooks or making public school extracurricular activities available to children who are homeschooled.
A busy day
Turner is 40. His age was one of the first things he was asked about at today’s event in Las Cruces.
“You look young. That’s great. It’s about time we get rid of some of the old farts in there,” Las Crucen Ramón Montijo said. “We need youth.”
Despite his age, Turner has built up quite a résumé as a political consultant over the years. He was state director for 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.
The public relations professional is doing something different today than the other candidates in the primary race did when they announced their candidacies. In addition to Las Cruces, he was scheduled to make five additional stops on today’s announcement tour – in Roswell, Clovis, Farmington, Taos and Albuquerque.
By contrast, the three other candidates in the GOP primary race — state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones of Albuquerque, Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez and former state GOP Chairman Allen Weh — made their formal announcements only in their hometowns – Las Cruces for Martinez and Albuquerque for Arnold-Jones and Weh.
“Anyone who suggests they can run a race from Albuquerque or from Las Cruces… is kidding themselves,” Turner said in explaining his announcement schedule.
To be fair, the other candidates have been traveling the state, just not on the day of their formal entry into the race.
‘We have a real opportunity’
Turner is trying to make his way through the GOP primary to face likely Democratic nominee Diane Denish, the lieutenant governor, next November. Denish has more than $2 million on hand for her campaign. But Turner said she’s not unbeatable.
“Our polling, and every visit we’ve made around the state, indicates that it is possible,” Turner said. “… There are a lot of young people and others coming into our party.”
“We have a real opportunity in New Mexico right now to win this race,” Turner said.
Update, 1:25 p.m.
Josh Geise, executive director of the state Democratic Party, issued this statement:
“We wish Doug Turner luck as he begins his transformation from a political operative and special interest lobbyist to a candidate for public office. However, while Turner may have an impressive track record helping politicians and special interests get ahead, New Mexicans deserve a governor with an impressive record of helping families get ahead. New Mexico families need a governor who is prepared to make our state a leader in the 21st century economy and, needless to say, that’s not Doug Turner.”