Editorial: [Albuquerque] Journal endorses Ronchetti (R) to represent NM in US Senate

Albuquerque Journal ^ | 10/23/2020 | ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD

[Coop]

...in seeking to fill the Senate seat that Republican Pete Domenici held for 36 years, more should be required. There is too much party intransigence on both sides in Washington. Ronchetti says he would work to end it; Luján, as the consummate party insider, is steeped in it.

The last time New Mexico had bipartisan representation from its senators was when Domenici and Sen. Jeff Bingaman held the seats. They often disagreed, but they worked together on behalf of their home state. The election of Ronchetti is a chance to bring back that bipartisan team.

And Ronchetti, who exudes energy, comes down on the correct side of a wide range of issues. He fundamentally understands it must be the private sector – not government – that re-energizes the economy and creates wealth as the nation moves through and past the COVID pandemic. He understands we must find ways to live with the virus and mitigate its risks without shutting down the economy...

[Coop]

I was surprised this editorial did not talk about fracking or the oil industry at all, and yet Republican Ronchetti still received its endorsement.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Will it help?

[Coop]

Mark Ronchetti for Senate

Trump lost NM, a D+3 state, by 8.3 points in 2016. Republican/Libertarian Gary Johnson (former NM governor) took 9.3% of the vote, while GOPer/Independent Evan McMullin took another 0.7 points while Green Party J. Stein took 1.2 points. Fracking was already a topic of concern/discussion related to New Mexico, so Joe Biden's promise to transition from the oil industry last night did not help him here. NM-02's rep, in a tight race with GOPer Yvette Herrell, quickly sprinted away from Biden's comments.

Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small blasts Biden as 'out of touch' on fossil fuels

[Coop]

Don’t really see it hurting his candidacy.

[Coop]

Ping

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[fieldmarshaldj]

NM is long overdue to have a GOP Senator. It has suffered badly since Domenici’s retirement.

[hoosiermama]

Without the others running TRUMP would have won. Is anyone an also ran in 2020? So will Trump take the state this time?

[CedarDave]

Both of New Mexico’s current senators are far left radical environmental progressives. Retiring Tom Udall, son of Stewart, has been any environmental rule or regulation no matter its impact on jobs and the economy. Ben Lujan may not as radical as Udall, but he’s now a DC insider very comfortable in the swamp.

[SpeedyInTexas]

Did quick “endorsement history” of newspaper.

In 2016 newspaper refused to endorse Clinton or Trump.
2012 Romney
2008 McCain

So has an R tilt.

Let’s see if it helps.

[Jane Long]

Those two tools siphoned votes, for Trump, in 2016.

[CedarDave]

The editorial did indirectly touch on it:

Ronchetti recognizes climate change but opposes the Democrats’ Green New Deal as unrealistic and a recipe for economic devastation – particularly for a state like New Mexico that is rich in oil and natural gas. We need a balanced approach.

[Coop]

Without the others running TRUMP would have won.

I politely disagree. Because Gary J. was NM's governor, along with NM's recent voting history, I suspect Gary "stole" more Clinton votes than Trump votes. That's one of the reasons I have only called NM a toss-up. There are others around who are more optimistic than me that Trump could win the state. And if he does, he might just pull a well known Ronchetti into the surprise Senate win of the night, especially since this seat is open (no incumbent).

But I will really need to see Trump do a rally in New Mexico before I am convinced the campaign thinks he's got a legitimate shot at winning. A rally in western NM would be nice, because coverage would also bleed over into key state AZ. I'm not aware of any Trump advertising in NM. Haven't found any info on Trump campaign offices in the state, but here's a year-old article about Trump & friends making a play for NM.
Trump reelection campaign hiring in Minnesota, New Mexico

[fieldmarshaldj]

The whole delegation is an abomination. Statewide, too.

[Coop]

The editorial said basically that about Lujan.

[Coop]

I saw the 2016 endorsement (or lack thereof), but didn’t go back to previous POTUS races. That’s why you’re the king!!

[CedarDave]

Surprising, but welcomed.

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[Coop]

Yes, but I was expecting something more directly related to fracking, especially since this editorial was published today. But with deadlines, who knows? It could have been written before Sleepy Joe had completely inserted both feet into his mouth.

[Mr Rogers]

“A rally in western NM would be nice, because coverage would also bleed over into key state AZ.”

There are no population centers in either western NM or eastern AZ.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I’ll have to disagree partially on that. It almost always follows that Libertarian candidates pull more from the GOP (and have cost the GOP countless races as a result). Now whether Johnson not being the candidate would’ve meant NM would’ve gone to Trump is probably unlikely, but the bulk of his votes would’ve gone to Trump. Without a serious Libertarian this time (who will likely take just 1%), those votes will again largely close the gap for Trump in the state. I think he will narrowly (a la 2004) pull it off.

The GOP needs to also run against the unpopularity of the Demonrat Governor. If Ronchetti gets within a few points (hopefully he’ll win), it’s expected he’ll be the leading choice to take out Lujan Grisham in 2022.