RIO RANCHO, N.M. – New Mexico Republicans are planning to unveil a moderate agenda around economic development in a bid to capture the state House and Senate.
GOP House Minority Leader James Townsend and Republican Senate Minority Whip Craig Brandt are scheduled Tuesday to release plans for New Mexico that say will bring moderate Democrats and Republicans together following one of the nation’s worst recessions amid the pandemic. The plans will be a blueprint for candidates who have endorsed the agenda of Respect New Mexico – a group funded by state House and Senate Republican leadership PACs.
In recent weeks, Respect New Mexico has been calling for state lawmakers to reform the state’s tax code and reduce spending.
Townsend said the agenda comes as Republicans are running one of its most diverse set of candidates for legislative races. Out of 112 open legislative seats, 38 Republican candidates and many candidates are Hispanic or Native American.
Brandt said several liberal Democrats defeated moderate Democrats in the state Senate sparking fears a Democratic swept in November the Legislature will enact a far-left agenda.
Democratic House Speaker Brian Egolf predicts Democrats will hold and possibly expand their majority in November.
