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New Mexico News

N.M. CD1 U.S. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE Q&As
Posted by () on May 21 2008 at 3:27 PM
NM News >>

Robert Pidcock

POLTICAL PARTY: Democrat
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque
AGE: 51
EDUCATION: B.A. government, minor economics, University of Texas at Austin, 1986; juris doctorate, UNM, 1989
OCCUPATION: Attorney in solo practice, specializing in civil trial work, 1989-present; student, 1983-1989; semiconductor engineer/technician, 1979-1983; U.S. Army 1975-1978
FAMILY: Not married
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: U.S. Army veteran
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Protecting the constitutional rights of the people of New Mexico for over 18 years.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Working my way through college with the GI Bill earned as a U.S. Army veteran.
 

1. What would be at the top of your list of issues or problems to work on as a member of Congress? Ending the Iraq war. This war of choice has not only cost over 4,000 American lives and nearly $600 billion, it has made us vulnerable to threats in Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea and Pakistan.
2. Would you vote to cut off funding for the war in Iraq if there is no specific timetable for withdrawal that meets your satisfaction? Absolutely, regardless of which person is elected president. Congress has a duty to carry out the will of the people, and the people and I wish to end this war now.
3. What specific steps should be take to reform U.S. immigration policies? As I state on www.robert pidcockforcongress.com, we must reform the immigration quota system to accurately reflect that more people wish to come here from certain countries, and we must punish employers that employ undocumented workers.
4. What should Congress do to slow the growth in health care costs while improving all Americans' access to care? Require larger pooling of people insured to reduce insurance premiums; require electronic claims and payment processing; negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare; and, require hospitals to provide the rates charged to insurance companies to everyone.
5. What should be done to reduce U.S. dependence on oil? Develop alternative fuel sources that do not compete with food crops; implement higher vehicle mileage standards; and provide permanent tax incentives for the production and purchase of hybrid, electric and fuel cell-powered vehicles.
6. What should New Mexico's national laboratories, Los Alamos and Sandia, do in the face of declining federal funding? We must shift the mission away from weapons research and to alternative and renewable energy research and implementation, as well as the research of the long-term storage and possible elimination of nuclear waste.
7. In connection with the U.S. credit crunch, would you support or oppose federal bailouts of lenders and/or borrowers? I oppose the use of taxpayer money to bail people or companies out of trouble who gambled to make a profit and lost.
8. What role should nuclear power play in the nation's energy future?
We should not make more nuclear waste until we have the knowledge and facilities to safely deal with the waste. Until we have that, the use of nuclear power should not be expanded.
9. Do you agree or disagree that human activities are causing global climate change? If you agree, what should be done? I agree. We must reduce by law the emissions of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants. The government must also provide tax credits and accelerated depreciation for the installation of solar and wind energy systems.
10. Do you support or oppose the endangered Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program?
I support protecting every species, but it is misguided to return an animal to the same situation that caused it to become endangered. The wolf needs more land than has been made available to flourish.

Michelle Lujan Grisham
 

PARTY: Democrat
RESIDENCE: Albuquerque
AGE: 48
EDUCATION: B.A., university studies, University of New Mexico, 1981; J.D., UNM, 1987
OCCUPATION: Cabinet secretary, New Mexico Department of Health, 2004-2007; Cabinet secretary, New Mexico Aging & Long Term Services Department, 2003-2004; director, New Mexico State Agency on Aging, 1991-1994, 1995-2002; staff attorney and program director, New Mexico Lawyer Referral for the Elderly, 1987-1991
FAMILY: Husband, Greg Grisham (deceased), two daughters
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: See OCCUPATION above.
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Expanding and integrating home and community-based care, into the aging network and long-term care system.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Raising my two incredible daughters.

1. What would be at the top of your list of issues or problems to work on as a member of Congress? The economy. Without a robust economy we cannot address health care, education or economic security for the American family. The first step is to end the war so that we invest in America— not war.
2. Would you vote to cut off funding for the war in Iraq if there is no specific timetable for withdrawal that meets your satisfaction? Yes, although I would approve funding to assure the safety and security of our troops as they withdraw, provided there is very clear evidence that such funding is only tied to safe withdrawal.
3. What specific steps should be take to reform U.S. immigration policies? Comprehensive immigration policy holds employers accountable, provides opportunities for undocumented workers to become legal taxpayers without negatively impacting those already in the citizenship process, and allows others to immigrate without minimizing border security.
4. What should Congress do to slow the growth in health care costs while improving all Americans' access to care? Lack of access to care contributes to costs. We must address the rate of uninsured, who rely on emergency room care, cost shifting, private sector profits, medical errors, lack of access to basic and preventive care.
5. What should be done to reduce U.S. dependence on oil? Everything we can, including both increasing and enhancing our use of renewable energy while simultaneously reducing consumer use. The approach should be balanced with incentives developed to do both.
6. What should New Mexico's national laboratories, Los Alamos and Sandia, do in the face of declining federal funding? The national labs are an important asset for New Mexico. We should capitalize on their expertise to diversify their use and partner with private industry and educational institutions to further economic development and technology expertise.
7. In connection with the U.S. credit crunch, would you support or oppose federal bailouts of lenders and/or borrowers? While both consumers and lenders should be held accountable, the lending environment today is somewhat predatory with consumers getting into loans they cannot afford. Living wages, affordable housing must also be part of the solution.
8. What role should nuclear power play in the nation's energy future? We should focus on developing renewable and clean energy alternatives but acknowledge the current role nuclear power plays.
9. Do you agree or disagree that human activities are causing global climate change? If you agree, what should be done? Yes, human activities certainly play a role. We should develop incentives for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and must also develop sensible family planning policies.
10. Do you support or oppose the endangered Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program?
Yes, I support the reintroduction of the endangered Mexican gray wolf.

Martin Heinrich
 

PARTY: Democrat
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque
AGE: 36
EDUCATION: University of Missouri, BS mechanical engineering, 1995.
OCCUPATION: New Mexico natural resources trustee, 2006-2007; principal, Heinrich Consulting, 2002-2005; executive director, Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, 1996-2001.
FAMILY: Wife and two sons
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Four years Albuquerque City Council, one term as president, 2004-2008
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Presiding as City Council president over one of the most successful sessions ever.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: My partnership with my wife, Julie, in raising my two boys.

1. What would be at the top of your list of issues or problems to work on as a member of Congress? Strengthening our economy, creating quality jobs by investing in clean, renewable energy technologies, approving tax cuts for middle class and fixing our broken health care system.
2. Would you vote to cut off funding for the war in Iraq if there is no specific timetable for withdrawal that meets your satisfaction? No. We must, however, immediately set a timeline and bring our troops home.
3. What specific steps should be take to reform U.S. immigration policies? Utilize personnel and non-fence technology to secure our border, enforce existing laws, punish employers who recruit undocumented workers, and require workers to pay fines, back taxes and get to the back of the line.
4. What should Congress do to slow the growth in health care costs while improving all Americans' access to care? Close the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, improve physician reimbursement rates, and require the government to negotiate prescription drug prices for all Americans as they do for the Veterans Administration.
5. What should be done to reduce U.S. dependence on oil? We need an Apollo project for energy independence. We must invest in wind, solar and other renewable energy to break our dependence on foreign oil. New Mexico can create a wealth of jobs in energy.
6. What should New Mexico's national laboratories, Los Alamos and Sandia, do in the face of declining federal funding? We must protect the funding for the labs and the jobs that they provide. Our national labs are key to achieving energy independence and play a critical role in stockpile stewardship and nuclear non-proliferation.
7. In connection with the U.S. credit crunch, would you support or oppose federal bailouts of lenders and/or borrowers? I support assisting homeowners in keeping their homes and avoiding foreclosure.
8. What role should nuclear power play in the nation's energy future? Nuclear power is a mature energy which has a role in the nation's energy future. However, federal incentives should be focused on developing renewable technologies such as wind and solar.
9. Do you agree or disagree that human activities are causing global climate change? If you agree, what should be done? Agree. We must be committed to reducing our carbon footprint and use the best science available to take reasonable, immediate steps, including a cap and trade system, to achieve this goal.
10. Do you support or oppose the endangered Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program?
Support. I have previously worked on behalf of their reintroduction, and support the continuation of that process.

Rebecca Vigil-Giron

POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque
AGE: 53
EDUCATION: Associate of arts, elementary education, New Mexico Highlands University, 1978; bachelor of arts, French, New Mexico Highlands University, 1991; program for senior executives in state and local government, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 1989.
OCCUPATION: Commissioner, Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, 2006 to present; New Mexico secretary of state, 1987-1990, 1999-2002, 2003-2006; executive director, New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women, 1991-1993; marketing representative, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, 1994-1997; customer service representative, secretary and project monitor with Public Service Company of New Mexico, 1978-1986.
FAMILY: One son
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: New Mexico secretary of state, three terms; New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women; president, National Association of Secretaries of State, 2004-2005
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: I represented the State of New Mexico for 20 years nationally and internationally with honor.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: As a single mother, I raised my son to be honest, hard-working, respectful and kind.

1. What would be at the top of your list of issues or problems to work on as a member of Congress? I will work to strengthen America through intelligent lawmaking and developing effective congressional coalitions to fix: the economy, the war on terrorism, our care for our veterans and health care for the fragile.
2. Would you vote to cut off funding for the war in Iraq if there is no specific timetable for withdrawal that meets your satisfaction? No. Stopping the funding is not the way to end this war. Putting pressure on the president as a coalition to end the war honorably is the correct and strategic way to end the war.
3. What specific steps should be take to reform U.S. immigration policies? Understand that it takes $2,300 for a coyote to bring an undocumented worker into the U.S. Establish a system of immigration cards that allows a worker to work in the U.S. for six months.
4. What should Congress do to slow the growth in health care costs while improving all Americans' access to care? Hold hearings with American Medical Association, hospital associations and major health insurance carriers. Gather the best recommendations to increase efficiency; standardize documentation; work to develop a coalition of like-minded congressmen to solve these issues.
5. What should be done to reduce U.S. dependence on oil?
Increase bully pulpit pressure on auto manufacturers to increase efficiency of cars. Give tax breaks to manufacturers who increase efficiency in autos. Give tax breaks on individuals who purchase high efficiency autos.
6. What should New Mexico's national laboratories, Los Alamos and Sandia, do in the face of declining federal funding? Delight their customer base. Increase work for the Department of Homeland Security and corporations like Intel and General Motors. They need to become more competitive by cutting old inefficient, burdensome programs. Focus on customer needs.
7. In connection with the U.S. credit crunch, would you support or oppose federal bailouts of lenders and/or borrowers? I would not support federal bailouts of lenders and/or borrowers. The fact of the American marketplace is it sometimes needs to correct itself. There has been exuberant irresponsibility in the market as of late.
8. What role should nuclear power play in the nation's energy future? Soon DOE will open a facility that will downblend our excess nuclear weapons into nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants. This fuel will be inexpensive and the waste will be handled in the near future.
9. Do you agree or disagree that human activities are causing global climate change? If you agree, what should be done? I agree that our global carbon footprint affects global climate change. We need to decrease our carbon footprint based upon the scientific thought process and dialogue with world leaders.                                                                                 10. Do you support or oppose the endangered Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program?
This issue needs to balance the needs of the ranchers and the needs of our wildlife. I support the Mexican Wolf reintegration program and I would vote to compensate the ranchers for their herd losses.

Joe Carraro

POLITICAL PARTY: Republican
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque
AGE: 63
EDUCATION: B.A., Political science/English, University of New Mexico, 1968; financial studies degree, New York Institute of Finance, 1969; masters of management, executive management masters program, R.O. Anderson School of Management, UNM, 1981; post-masters of management, R.O. Anderson School of Management, UNM, 2000; Ph.D, LaCrosse University, 2002.
OCCUPATION: State senator, 1985-1989, 1993-present; international business consultant 1996-2006; graduate school professor 1994-1998; small business owner 1977-1994; financial analyst/stockbroker 1970-1974.
FAMILY: Five children
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: State senator, 1985-1989; state senator, 1993-present; executive committee of the National Energy Council, 1993-2006; President's Commission on Mental Retardation, 1998-2001.
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Being an advocate for people of New Mexico as a state senator for 20 years.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: In the face of adversity, growing to understand that life's purpose is to do right.

1. What would be at the top of your list of issues or problems to work on as a member of Congress? Fix our economic condition by extending tax cuts, decreasing government spending and balancing the budget. Supporting our military and taking care of our veterans. Bringing to resolution illegal immigration, Social Security and health care concerns.
2. Would you vote to cut off funding for the war in Iraq if there is no specific timetable for withdrawal that meets your satisfaction? I will never put our troops in danger by diminishing their resources, but will question and make demands on defining our mission and correlation to the war on terror that should be our major objective.
3. What specific steps should be take to reform U.S. immigration policies? Secure our borders, allowing only those with legal status to enter and stay in our country. Expedite the process of those who want to legally enter our country for work.
4. What should Congress do to slow the growth in health care costs while improving all Americans' access to care? Limit burdensome bureaucracy. Deregulate health insurance markets. Investigate waste and corruption. Limit Medicare benefits to truly needy. High-deductible Health Savings Accounts. Small employer tax credits. Low-income diagnostic services ...
5. What should be done to reduce U.S. dependence on oil? Encourage domestic exploration and production while ensuring the protection of the environment. Seek alternative energy resources as nuclear, wind, solar and geothermal while providing individual user incentives. Increase refining capacity. Tax credits for energy efficiency.
6. What should New Mexico's national laboratories, Los Alamos and Sandia, do in the face of declining federal funding? Send me to Congress since I have the capability, qualifications and experience to advocate on their behalf. Seek out additional funding for missions in the country's interests such as energy and medical research.
7. In connection with the U.S. credit crunch, would you support or oppose federal bailouts of lenders and/or borrowers? Federal bailouts use taxpayer monies to compensate for bad business decisions, mostly benefiting mega-corporations. To continue along that path would unjustly burden already burdened taxpayers. We need better regulation.
8. What role should nuclear power play in the nation's energy future? Correctly managed, nuclear power provides the cleanest and least expensive long-term energy resource. As with European countries, it should be at the forefront of supplying our future energy needs.
9. Do you agree or disagree that human activities are causing global climate change? If you agree, what should be done? Global warming is tied to earth's historical patterns; the industrial age has exacerbated its effect. Continue promoting sound environmental policies throughout the world since much of the problem lies with developing countries: China, Brazil, etc.
10. Do you support or oppose the endangered Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program?
The federal government has unilaterally and unfairly promoted this program without providing fair compensation to ranchers for their losses. Natural habitat reintroduction where wildlife management was once realized is now populated with ranches and livestock.

Darren White

POLITICAL PARTY: Republican
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque
AGE: 45
EDUCATION: B.A., management, University of Phoenix, 1995
OCCUPATION: Sheriff of Bernalillo County, 2003-present; television reporter, 1999-2001; Cabinet secretary, New Mexico Department of Public Safety, 1995-1999; sergeant, Albuquerque Police Department, 1987-1994; officer, Houston Police Department, 1985-1987; U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division, 1983-1985
FAMILY: Wife, Jennifer; 1 son
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Sheriff of Bernalillo County; Cabinet secretary, New Mexico Department of Public Safety
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Leading a team that rescued over 200 people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Helping raise a wonderful son, who just completed basic training for the U.S. Air Force.

1. What would be at the top of your list of issues or problems to work on as a member of Congress? I will focus on creating jobs, improving health care, cutting taxes, fighting the war on terrorism, securing our borders and shaking up Washington with independent leadership.
2. Would you vote to cut off funding for the war in Iraq if there is no specific timetable for withdrawal that meets your satisfaction? As a veteran of the 82nd Airborne, I do not support cutting off funding for our troops in combat. The Iraqi government must be pressured to do more, so our troops can safely return home.
3. What specific steps should be take to reform U.S. immigration policies? We must secure our borders first. Once the border is secure, I support a temporary-worker program. Legal immigrants must be required to learn English, hold a job, pay taxes and pass a background check.
4. What should Congress do to slow the growth in health care costs while improving all Americans' access to care? Doctors and patients must be in control of health care. I support allowing individuals to purchase coverage across state lines and ensuring people can keep their insurance when they change jobs. I oppose government takeover.
5. What should be done to reduce U.S. dependence on oil? Our dependence on foreign oil threatens our economy and national security. I support increased research and exploration into alternative sources, including solar, nuclear, wind and bio-fuels. I also support increased fuel-efficiency standards for automobiles.
6. What should New Mexico's national laboratories, Los Alamos and Sandia, do in the face of declining federal funding? I will fight for resources for our labs and their critical national security mission. Labs are also engaged in a range of activities, including in health and environment that are important in the 21st century.
7. In connection with the U.S. credit crunch, would you support or oppose federal bailouts of lenders and/or borrowers? I generally oppose using tax dollars to bail out banks or speculators. Responsible homeowners should be able to keep their homes with new reasonable mortgages. We must enact reforms to ensure this never happens again.
8. What role should nuclear power play in the nation's energy future? Clean nuclear power can be critical in reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Nuclear power safely powers naval vessels and provides about 76 percent of the power in France. With our labs, America can do even better.
9. Do you agree or disagree that human activities are causing global climate change? If you agree, what should be done? Humans are clearly affecting our global climate. We need to do a better job taking care of the environment including common-sense limits on carbon emissions and protecting natural resources, while balancing our economic needs.
10. Do you support or oppose the endangered Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program?
I support reintroduction of the Mexican gray wolf but it needs to be done in a manner that balances this noble conservation effort with respect for our ranchers, whose livestock are often preyed upon.

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