Axios: Gov MLG Loss Could Happen

August 15, 2022

Photo Credit: CNN

Axios is out with a new report detailing how the NM gubernatorial race is in play for a GOP pickup as “Lujan Grisham has been beset with low approval ratings, staff upheaval and charges of hypocrisy.”

In case you missed it…

GOP’s New Mexico bet
Axios
Russell Contreras & Josh Kraushaar
August 14, 2022
https://www.axios.com/2022/08/14/new-mexico-governor-republican

New Mexico has the largest share of Hispanic voters of any state in the country. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is currently the nation’s only Latina governor. But she’s unpopular — and with Hispanic voters poised to continue their rightward shift, Republican Mark Ronchetti, a former TV meteorologist, is suddenly in play.

  • He’s well positioned after soundly defeating several MAGA allies in the GOP primary. Real Clear Politics shows Lujan Grisham’s polling lead is within the margin of error.
  • New Mexico has surpassed more traditional battlegrounds like Michigan and Pennsylvania on the GOP’s radar due to the nomination of weak Republican candidates in those states.

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The big picture: Crime and public safety have emerged as the top issues in the campaign, according to strategists involved in the New Mexico race.

  • This month, Lujan Grisham released an out-of-context campaign ad accusing Ronchetti of wanting to “defund the police” based on debate comments criticizing Lujan Grisham’s insufficient support for law enforcement. Ronchetti and the Republican Governors’ Association hit back by calling her attack an outright lie.
  • The state’s Fraternal Order of Police, which hasn’t endorsed anyone in the race, criticized the Democrat for misrepresenting Ronchetti’s position.

Between the lines: Lujan Grisham has been beset with low approval ratings, staff upheaval and charges of hypocrisy.

  • She initially drew praise for her handling of the pandemic but sparked outrage when she wagged her finger at a press conference at residents who weren’t wearing masks.
  • She was then slammed for buying jewelry after she ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses.
  • Lujan Grisham once told a Democratic candidate to leave a lieutenant governor’s race over allegations of workplace harassment, only to later pay out thousands of dollars to a former campaign staffer accusing her of sexual misconduct.

Multiple cabinet secretaries in the state’s education, health and youth services departments have resigned or been fired in her four years in office as staff complained about the toxic environment of her administration.

Read the full report here.