I spent a few years in Silver City around the turn of the century, before moving back to Arizona. The local government wasn’t all that bad but the state government was pretty liberal even then. I’ve never been to Albuquerque and hope I never do go there.
I do miss good New Mexican food, though.
I lived in NM for 14 years, 13 of it in Silver City. 1972-1986
Best climate in the world. 6,000 ft altitude. Some mountaintops over 9,000 ft.
It has always been leftist, mine union influence. But ever hunting season the men of all colors would break out their Weatherby and go hunt Bambi. Yes, some like to hunt and many spend more on their rifle than that do upkeep on their home.
Was in outside sales (a wholesale hardware company) in Southern NM and South Eastern AZ. The businessmen were good honest people.
I was a city councilman in Silver City for a 2 year term and later GOP County Chairman. (Grant County)
My company transferred me back to Texas to the home office in 1986. From there I wore many hats with 2 privately family owned companies.
I loved the Ham Radio Community there. With all the Labs, military bases, and some of the universities; there were some of the best techs, electronic engineers, physicists, and rocket scientists involved.