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DGA Statement on Steve Pearce’s NM-GOV Announcement

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Far-right Trump Backer Would Preserve Status Quo in New Mexico

 The DGA released the following statement in response to Congressman Steve Pearce’s newly announced candidacy in the New Mexico’s governor’s race:

“Rep. Steve Pearce has shown himself to be a far-right ideologue outside the mainstream of New Mexico voters,” said DGA Communications Director Jared Leopold. “It’s galling that Steve Pearce would announce his run for governor right after voting for the Trumpcare bill that would raise costs on thousands of New Mexico families. After eight years of Gov. Susana Martinez’s failed economic leadership, New Mexico needs a change – not a Donald Trump clone like Steve Pearce.”

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Background:

HEADLINE: Pearce votes yes as House passes sweeping healthcare bill. [New Mexico Political Report, 5/4/17]

  • Pearce Called the GOP House Health Care Bill “A Step in the Right Direction.” According to the New Mexico Political Report, “In a statement, Pearce said ‘While today’s bill is in no way perfect, it is a step in the right direction.’ He continued: ‘My decision on today’s health care bill, as with all bills, came down to its overall impact on the lives of the New Mexican people. This is a step-by-step approach, of which this is merely the first.’ Pearce is part of the House Freedom Caucus, a hardline conservative bloc of House members that successfully pushed the health care legislation to the right after a failed repeal attempt in March.” [New Mexico Political Report, 5/4/17] 

So Far in 2017, Pearce Has Voted with Trump 94.6% of the Time. According to FiveThirtyEight, So far in 2017, Rep. Pearce has voted in line with President Trump’s position 94.6%.  [FiveThirtyEight, 6/29/17]

January 2017: Pearce Said Trump’s Travel Ban Would Further “The Safety of Our Nation.” According to a post on Pearce’s Facebook page, “The clunky roll out of President Trump’s recent order on refugees shows the youth, but also the ambition, of a new Administration. The goal of this order, however, is one we can all agree on – the safety of our nation. With this short term halt on certain visas, our nation can take a comprehensive assessment of the refugee and visa admission process to ensure our procedures are placing the safety and security of our nation first. I applaud DHS Secretary Kelly for working through the stumbled introduction of the order, to act on provisions laid out in President Trumps order that permit lawful permanent residents and green card holders admission into the United States. I hope the Trump Administration takes immediate action to follow through on its plan to revise our security procedures so we can return to a safer America.” [Facebook, Congressman Steve Pearce, 1/30/17]

2017: Pearce Cosponsored HR 354, “Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2017.” [Congress.gov, HR 354, 1/6/17]

Opposed Minimum Wage Increase. In 2007, Pearce voted against increasing the minimum wage from by $2.10 an hour to $7.25 an hour. The measure passed 218-212. [HR 1591, Vote #186, 3/23/07; CQ House Action Reports, No. 110-3, 3/20/07]

Named One of the Most Corrupt Members of Congress in 2007 and 2008. In September 2007 and September 2008, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) named Pearce to their lists of the 22 and 20 most corrupt members of Congress. [CREW’s Most Corrupt]