DGA Kicks off General Election with New Video in New Mexico
As New Mexico’s race for governor heads into the general election, the DGA is launching a new video highlighting Steve Pearce’s far-right record. In “Too Extreme,” the DGA highlights Pearce’s positions and record on issues including health care, climate change, women’s rights, and immigration.
“Steve Pearce is too extreme for New Mexico, and over the next five months, we intend to make sure every voter in the state knows that,” said DGA Press Secretary Melissa Miller. “From wanting to deport all DREAMers to setting back the environment and women’s rights, Steve Pearce puts far-right partisan interests over the wellbeing of the families and businesses of his state.”
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BACKGROUND
In 2017, Govtrack Ranked Pearce the 8th Most Conservative Member Having Served 10 Years of More.According to Govtrack, “Ranked 8th most conservative compared to Serving 10+ Years. Our unique ideology analysis assigns a score to Member s of Congress according to their legislative behavior by how similar the pattern of bills and resolutions they cosponsor are to other Members of Congress.” [GovTrack, accessed 1/28/18]
In March 2017, When New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce Was Asked About the GOP Health Care Plan, Pearce “Suggested That Some People May Just Have To Live Until They Can Access Healthcare Through Medicare.” According to KRWG, “Almost 600 people from all over New Mexico’s 2nd congressional district turned out for the town hall at the Farm and Ranch Museum in Las Cruces. Most of them loud and angry about the Republicans’ plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act. According to The Urban Institute, 266,000 New Mexicans stand to lose their healthcare coverage. When Congressman Pearce suggested that some people may just have to live until they can access healthcare through Medicare, a program accessible to people 65 years and older or with severe disabilities: The crowd chanted back ‘Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame!’” [KRWG, 3/18/17]
In October 2014, Pearce Said there was No Need to Address Global Warming. According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, “Also during the debate, Lara said she supports same-sex marriage, but Pearce said the issue should not redefine marriage. Pearce also said there was no need to address global warming, but Lara said southern New Mexico has the potential to benefit through its abundance of solar and wind power.” [Las Cruces Sun-News, 10/15/14]
Pearce Openly Supported the Presidential Campaign of Donald Trump. According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, “Pearce’s 12 years in Washington, D.C. have resulted in relationships with federal officials that will help him in dealing with issues such healthcare and continuing federal support for the state’s military bases, he said. Pearce openly supported the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, but the two haven’t always seen eye-to-eye.” [Las Cruces Sun-News, 7/11/17]
January 2014 Washington Post Headline: “GOP congressman’s book” ‘The wife is to voluntarily submit’ to her husband.’” According to the Washington Post, “In the book, Pearce recounts his rise to owning an oil-field service company and winning election to Congress. In the book, the Vietnam War veteran says that both the military chain of command and the family unit need a structure in which everyone plays his or her role. He said that, in his family’s experience, this meant that his wife, Cynthia, would submit to him and he would lead. ‘The wife is to voluntarily submit, just as the husband is to lovingly lead and sacrifice,’ he writes, citing the Bible. ‘The husband’s part is to show up during the times of deep stress, take the leadership role and be accountable for the outcome, blaming no one else.’” [Washington Post, 1/22/14]
2006: Pearce Cast a Decisive Vote for Republican Budget Including Massive Student Loan Cuts. In February 2006, Pearce voted for the final conference report of the Republican budget reconciliation bill, which passed in the House of Representatives by just two votes. According to the Washington Post, “And in one of the most controversial provisions, the agreement would shave $12.7 billion out of the federal student loan program, in large part by locking in interest rates often at a higher level than the current variable rates. ‘This bill is the largest raid on student aid in history. At a time when millions of American families are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing tuition costs, it is shameful for Congress to raid student aid in order to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans,’ said Rep. George Miller (Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House education committee.” Under the plan, student loan costs for the average New Mexico student would increase $1,630 while tuition costs are on the rise. [H Res 653, Vote #4, 2/01/06; NEA Legislative Action Center; Washington Post, 12/19/05; Institute for America’s Future, January 2006]
In 2014, Pearce Supported Deportation for All Undocumented Immigrants, Including Dreamers.According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, “Immigration: Lara supports immigration reform; Pearce supports deportation for all undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers.” [Las Cruces Sun-News, 10/28/14]