While the general election is still months away, the race for the U.S. Senate is picking up steam. Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Mick Rich made a brief visit in Socorro last Friday during his 23-city “Hard Hat Town Hall Tour” for a meet and greet with residents at Socorro County Republican Headquarters on California Street. Owner and operator of a successful contracting company in Albuquerque, Rich, who announced his bid for Martin Heinrich’s seat last April, accepted the New Mexico Republican Party’s senatorial nomination at its convention February 24.
In a personal talk before the small group Rich outlined his positions on immigration, economic development and jobs, the new U.S. tax structure, and law and order, while being critical of Heinrich’s tenure in Washington.
“It tears me up to see the shape our state is in,” he said, and pointed to Heinrich’s approval ratings.
Briefly recapping his history working and living in New Mexico, Rich said he’s been a New Mexico commercial and industrial contractor since 1983, serving clients in not only municipalities, but school systems, churches, healthcare providers, national labs, military bases, pueblos and tribes retailers and private employers.
He said his decision to challenge Heinrich stems from his concern for business and jobs in the state. “I’ve listened to New Mexicans’ concerns and dreams for 35 years,” Rich said.
He said he asked himself, “How can I best help New Mexico?” That’s when he and his family decided he should go for the Senate seat.
At the informal meet-and-greet Rich answered several of his supporters’ questions.
In response to a question on immigration, Rich said he supported President Donald Trump’s position on building a wall at the border with Mexico. “One thing’s for sure,” he said. “What we have now isn’t working.”
To a follow-up question on immigration, Rich said he was opposed to the idea of sanctuary cities.
Another question had to do with his position on New Mexico’s oil and gas. Rich said he supported re-evaluating the status of certain public lands which are exempted from “energy production and job creation.”
To a question on drugs and overcrowded jails, Rich said a more secure border would be a start in combating methamphetamine and heroin availability.
Rich said his campaign focuses on bringing opportunity back to everyday New Mexicans, promoting “a diverse economy that provides jobs that will support families, safe and secure communities and an education system that works for our children.”
“I intend to win this race,” Rich said.
