Commitment 2020: Democratic Candidate Forum CD3

ANNOUNCER: THIS IS A KOAT COMMITMENT 2020 SPECIAL. DOUG: GOOD AFTERNOON. I’M DOUG FERNANDEZ. WELCOME TO OUR COMMITMENT 2020 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FORUM, FOR NEW MEXICO’S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. KOAT HAS PARTNERED WITH THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL, SO YOU CAN HEAR FROM ALL SEVEN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION. THE THIS DISTRICT COVERS MOST OF THE NORTHERN PART OF NEW MEXICO, INCLUDING OUR STATE CAPITOL IN SANTA FE, FARMINGTON, AND PARTS OF THE NAVAJO NATION. THE SEAT IS BEING VACATED BY DEMOCRAT BEN RAY LUJAN, WHO IS NOW RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENAT YOU’LL HEAR FROM THE SEVEN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES WHO WA THE JOB, JOHN BLAIR, TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ, LAURA MONTOYA, VALERIE PLAME, JOSEPH SANCHEZ, MARCO SERNA AND KYLE TISDE I’LL BE MODERATING AND ASKING QUESTIONS ALONG WITH KENT WALZ, SENIOR EDITOR AT THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL. KOAT AND THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ARE COMMITTED TO POLITICAL COVERAGE, TO HELP YOU MAKE A DECISION IN THE PRIMARY. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER, WE ARE CONDUCTING THIS CANDIDATE FORUM, WHILE HONORING SOCIAL DISTANCING ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE JOINING US, THROUGH ZOOM VID CONFERENCING. EACH CANDIDATE HAS A MINUTE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, 30-SECOND REBUTTALS ARE ALLOWED AT MY DISCRETION, IF THAT CANDIDATE MENTIONS ANOTHER BY NAME EACH ONE UNINTERRUPTED MINUTE FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS. THE FIRST QUESTION WILL BE ASKED BY KENT WALZ OF THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNA KENT: CANDIDATES, HOW HAS YOUR VIEW OF JOB CREATION CHANGED IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS AND WHY ARE YOU THE BEST PERSON TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDING AND HELP NEW MEXICO BUSINESSES RECOVER FROM THIS PANDEMIC? DOUG: MR. BLAIR, YOU CAN GO FIRST. MR. BLAIR: THIS HAS ILLUSTRATED THE GREAT DISPARITIES. MOST MEXICANS HA BEEN BEHIND BY THE FAILED POLICIES OF THE JUMP ADMINISTRATION. I’M TH ONLY CANDIDATE WHO HAS WORKED ON CAPITO HILL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND WORK FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA I AM THE BEST TO GET RESOURCES AND BRING FUNDING BACK TO THE STATE AND DEVELOP NE PROGRAMS TO HELP BUILD OUT OUR HOUSING ACROSS THE DISTRICT, HEALTH CARE SO EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO IT. I THINK THERE IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INVEST IN A NEW DEAL TYP PROGRAM THAT PUTS NEW MEXICANS BACK TO WORK, BUILDING NEW ROADS, DAMS, BRIDGES, AND ELECTRI GRID WHAT SETS ME APART IS MY EXPERIENCE WORKING IN WASHINGTON. DOUG: TERESA FERNANDEZ, YOU ARE NEXT. MS. FERNANDEZ: I IS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT DURING THIS COVID CRIS BECAUSE THE REALITY IS PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS FAILED AND BETRAYED US AND THOSE FAILURES HAVE LED TO THE ECONOMIC CRISIS WITHIN WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. WE NEED LEADERSHIP THAT IS GROUNDED IN OUR DISTRICT. MY WORK HAS NOT JUST BEEN A POLICY LEVEL I HAVE STUFF IN THE GROUND, I BROUGHT $900 MILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL FUNDI AND PUT THAT INTO BUSINESSES AND INTO BROADBAND AND INTO INFRASTRUCTURE. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON BRINGING THAT MONEY BACK DRINKING NEW DEAL FOR THE UNITED STATES THAT INVESTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUSINESSES. WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR SMALL BUSINESSES AND I AM THE ONLY PERSON WHO IS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO CAN MARRY BOTH, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ON THE GROUND AND HOW DO YOU KNOW HOW TO WORK WITH WASHINGTON TO BRING THOSE RESOURCES. DOUG: TIME IS UP LAURA MONTOYA . YOU AR NEXT. MS. MONTOYA: THE ONE PERSON ON THE FORM IS THE COUNTY TREASURER CAN HELP US WITH NOT ONLY THE STIMULUS PACKAGES BUT ALSO BEING ABLE TO BRING THE FAIRNESS AND APPLICABILITY THAT HAS BEEN THE FIRST DAY OF MY ELECTION AND THE LAST 20 YEARS OF MY GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE AND EQUITABLY. THIS THREE-MONTH MONTH CRISIS HAS TAUGHT US WE ARE PUTTING TOO MUCH STRAIN ON BUSINES OWNERS AND NOT HELPING PEOPLE WITH NO WATER OR LIMITED ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER ALONG WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AND NOT JUST ROADS BUT BROADBAND. I WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING NOT ONLY THE STIMULUS PART, BUT THE FINANCIAL PART. I WAS ONLY ONE IN NEW MEXICO THAT SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI ASKED TO TALK ABOUT TAX REFORM TO HELP WORKING FAMILIES AND BE ABLE TO HELP US GET BACK ON HER FEET AND PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. DOUG: THANK YOU. VALERIE PLAME , YOUR NEXT. MS. PLAM IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THERE IS NO N OFF SWITCH FOR THE ECONOMY. NEW MEXICO WILL BE SEVERELY HURT, NOT ONLY BY THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY THE COVID, THE DOUBLE WHAMMY OF OIL AND GAS PRICES, WHICH HAVE LIMITED. AS I HAVE TRAVELED — HAVE PLUMMETED. AS I HAVE TRAVELED THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, WE MUST DIVERSI THE ECONOMY IN THE STATE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT AND WE MUST CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH. FOR ME, THE FOUNDATION IS BETTER QUALITY AND ACCESS TO EDUCATION AS WELL AS INFRASTRUCTURE. MY TWO TWINS ARE HOME FROM COLLEGE AND WE ARE ALL FIGHTING OR WI-FI BANDWIDTH. I BELIEVE I AM THE BES TIME — BEST CANDIDATE FOR LEADERSHIP AND TO BRING THAT FOCUS IN RESOURCES FOR TH BENEFIT OF NEW MEXICANS. DOUG JOSEPH SANCHEZ, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SANCHE WE HAVE OVER 10,000 JOBS IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO NEW MEXICO’S ECONOMY. WE HAVE TO CONNECT THA FUNDING. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THESE COMPANIES ARE HERE. BUSINESSES. WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES AND MAKE SURE THEY RIDE THIS WAVE. I KNOW WE HAVE A TRYING DOLLAR PACKAGE COMING FROM CONGRESS THAT IS PROPOSED — A FEW TRILLION DOLLAR PACKAGE COMING FROM CONGRESS THAT IS PROPOSED. I HAVE SEEN IF STRUCTURAL PROJECTS AND I HAVE BEEN A GENERA COMMAND — CONTRACTOR. I CAN DEFINITELY BE A LEADER IN THE INDUSTRY. IN CONGRESS, WHEN I’M IN CONGRESS I WILL PUSH THAT AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO PROTECT THE LABORATORIES IN THE RIGHT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THOSE AREAS. DOUG MARCO SERNA , YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SERNA: I AM NOT LEAF OR ECONOMIC GROWTH BUT ALSO — I AM NOT ONLY ECONOMIC GROWTH BUT ADDRESSING THE PANDEMI INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS FOR RAL COMMUNITIES IS NECESSARY. CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENT THAT CAN CREATE MORE JOBS AND VIAB LONG-TERM JOBS WERE NEW MEXICANS. BUT ALSO WE NE TO ADDRESS SMALL BUSINESSES AND PROTECT SMALL BUSINESSES AFTER THE COVID PANDEMIC SUBSIDES. WE CAN’T ALLOW LARGE AS THIS IS LIKE AMAZON TO CONTINUE TO GET THE BENEFITS THEY ARE GETTING AND THEIR TAX BREAKS, FOR INSTANCE $11 BILLION IN PROFIT WITH PAYING NO TAXES AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE MY MOM PAYING TAXES EVERYTHING THE MONTH. WE NEED TO PROTECT SMALL BUSINESS, FIRST WITH THE STIMULUS PACKAGE, AND HARD-WORKING N MEXICANS, THEIR PAYCHECKS. DOUG: KYLE TISDEL, YOUR NEXT. MR. TISDEL: IT HAS SHOWN US THE VULNERABILITIES OF OUR CURRENT SYSTEM AND HOW WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE ARE FULLY THE CRACKS. THE OTHER IS A FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT IS FOCUSED ON BAILING OUT THE CORPORATIONS AND THE RICH AND LEAVING FAR TOO MANY WORKING-CLASS AMERICANS STRUGGLING. WE ARE SEEING IN THE LAST MONTH ALONE OVER 40% OF AMERICANS EARNING LESS THAN $40,000 A YEAR HAVE LOST THEIR JOB DURING THIS PANDEMIC. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE REBUILD THE ECONOMY FROM THE GROUN UP, FOCUSING ON RELIEF AND PACKAGES THAT PUT PEOPLE TO WORK AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TRANSFORMING AND USING THIS OPPORTUNITY AS A JUMPING OFF POINT TO HELP TO TRANSFORM OUR ECONOMY, WHICH IS MORE CRITICAL IN A STATE LIKE NE MEXICO THAT HAS BEEN TIED TO THE INDUSTRY. DOUG THE PRESIDENT OF THE NOW WHOLE NATION SAID IT TOOK TOO LONG FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND GIVE HELP FOR COVID-19. IS THERE A WAY TO STREAMLINE THAT LAURA MONTOYA ? LET’S START WITH LAURA MONTOYA . — LAURA MONTOYA MS. MONTOYA: THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS HAVE INHIBITED PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WHO REALLY NEED THE CLEAN WATER TO BE ABLE TO GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED. THEY CAN’T NECESSARILY GO INT GALLUP, BECAUSE THERE IS TOO HIGH NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WITH COVID. THEY A TRYING TO STAY WITHIN THE NAVAJO NATION AND THEY CAN’T GET THE THINGS THEY NEED. LAST FRIDAY, WE WENT WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD AND TOOK TONS OF PALLETS OF WATER ALONG WITH FOOD. WE WILL DO THAT THIS NEXT FRIDAY. THAT IS A BAND-AID. COVID HAS TAUGHT US THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH FAIRNESS AND EQUITY ABILITY TO THE NAVAJO NATION. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR TRIBAL LEADERS AND MAK SURE WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS SO WHEN WE ARE IN CRISIS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER. DOUG: VALERIE PLA , YOU ARE UP. MS. PLAM THIS HAS RIPPED ASIDE ALL PRETENSE THAT THINGS ARE OK. THEY ARE NOT. THE VAST MAJORITY OF COVID CASES ARE TAKING PLACE ON THE NAVAJO NATION. EVEN FOR THAT, WE KNOW 40% OF THOSE ON T NATION, THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER. THEY ARE SOVEREIGN NATIONS AND THE BUREAUCRACY AND RED TAPE NEEDS TO BE BROKEN DOWN. MY TIME AS A COVERT OFFICER, I WORKED WITH PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD. WE SAT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND HAD A COMMON MISSION. IN MANY CASES IT WAS ABOUT NUCLEAR TERRORISM AND WE ACCOMPLISH THAT. I FEEL VERY COMFORABLE DOING THAT AND I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY WITH THE DISTRICT 33 DOUG — DISTRICT THREE. DOUG JOSEPH SANCHEZ , YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SANCHEZ: I WAS THE FIRST ONE TO BRING UP THE CLEAN WATER IN THE NOMINATION. NO ONE WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT. I KNOW THE ISSUES AND I KNOW THEM FIRST HAND. HOW DO WE EXPECT THE PANDEMIC NOT TO SPREAD WHEN THEY DON’T HAVE WATER? IN GALLUP, WE CAN’T FINISH THE WATER PROJECT AND WE CAN’T SERVE THE NAVAJO NATION. IT IS A JOKE. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEW MEXICO AND IT IS LIKE A THIRD WORLD NATION. I HA BEEN SAYING THIS FOR A YEAR. THIS COVID PANDEMIC COMES UP AND NOW EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT. YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PREPARED FOR THESE ISSUES AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT FROM DAY ONE. I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUES AND I WILL ADVOCATE FOR THE PHONE NATION. DOUG: MAR SERNA, YOUR NEXT. MR. SERN WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE REDTAPE ISSUES THAT HAVE PLAGUED THIS NAVAJO NATION. IT SHOULD NOT TAKE THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATION TO FILE A LAWSUIT AND GET A JUDGMENT TO GET THOSE SERVICES. I AM PROUD OF OUR EFFORTS WITH MY CAMPAIGN IN CREATING COVID SAVE — SAFETY PACKETS. I JUST GOT BACK FROM GIVING THEM TO THE NAVAJO NATION. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS ON THE NATION SO THEY HAVE RUNNING WATER AND ELECTRICITY AND ALSO ACCESS, BECAUS THEY NEED A BETTER ROAD SYSTEM. IN CONGRESS, I WILL FIGHT NOT ONLY FOR THE NAVAJO NATION BUT RUAL COMMUNITIES NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY THESE ISSUES, LIKE CHAMA. DOUG KYLE TISDEL , YOU ARE NEXT. MR. TISDEL: HAVE WORKED ON FEDERAL LITIGATION TO PROTECT THE GREATER LANDSCAPE AND REP IS IN COMMUNITIES. I SPENT A LOT OF TIME — AND REPRESENTING COMMUNITIES. I SPENT A LOT OF TIME REPRESENTING THE NAVAJO NATION. WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THE LEGACY OF COLONIZATION AN EXPORTATION OF THESE PEOPLE AND A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THA HAS RECOGNIZED THIS AREA AS A SACRIFICE OWN FOR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE 40% OF THE PEOPLE DON’T HAVE RUNNING WATER OR ELECTRICITY, DESPITE LIVING BY COAL PLANTS. THE POLICIES DO N RECOGNIZE TREATIES AND SOVEREIGNTIES THAT ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT THESE PEOPLE. THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO CUT THROUGH. DOUG: JOHN BLAIR, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. BLAIR: I’M PROUD TO WORK BY PRESIDENT — WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA WITH TRIBES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WHEN I WORKED WITH THE CONGRESSMAN COMING HE PASSED A BILL THAT DID THE EXACT THING YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. IT GOT RID OF BUREAUCRACY AND RED TAPE. I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET LEGISLATION LIKE THAT THROU CONGRESS. WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE LAWS SO THEY TRIBES DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH UNNECESSARY HOOPS TO GET THE SAME FUNDING WE ARE GETTING AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL. IT IS BEYOND HEALTH CARE. CLEARLY THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS LAC OF HEALTH CARE AND CLEAN WATER, BUT WE HAVE TO INVEST IN TRIBES THAT IS UNPARALLELED TO SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER DONE, NEW ROADS, SCHOOLS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. I WORKED TO HELP GET RID OF RED TAPE TO GET NATIVE AMERICANS TO VOTE I WIL WOR FOR NATIVE AMERICANS. DOUG TERESA LEGER FERNANDE , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. FERNANDE IT IS THE CULMINATION OF AN ERROR TO NOT LIVE UP TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS. I WAS WITH REPRESENTATIVE DEBORAH HOLLAND AND SHE CALLED AND LET ME KNOW SHE WAS ENDORSING ME. SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE REASON SHE WAS ENDORSING ME WAS PRECISELY BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO HAVE AN ALLY IN CONGRESS WHO HAS THE 30 YEARS O EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH NATIVE AMERICANS THAT I DO, BECAUSE I WANT TO BE AN ALLY SO WE CAN START ADDRESSING THE ISSUES THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE APPROPRIATELY IDENTIFIED. THE REASON I WILL BE THE STRONGER ONE IS I HAVE WORKED ON THESE ISSUES. THIS IS AN ISS THAT HASN’T BEEN DONE AND WE MUST DO THE INVESTMENT AND LIVE UP TO THE TRUST RESPONSIBILITY. DOUG NEXT QUESTION. KENT: DO YOU BELIEVE THE BORDERS ARE SECURE ENOUGH? IF NOT, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE AND WOULD YOU FAVOR ABOLISHING I..E.? DOUG: MARCO SERNA, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SERN IT IS UNACCEPTABLE WE ARE SEEING CHILDREN BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES TO ADDRESS A POLITICAL ISSUE TO GET MORE VOTES. WE CAN DO IT IN A MANNER THAT TREATS PEOPLE LIKE PEOPLE AND KEEPS THE BORDER SAFE. WITH REGARD TO I.C.E., I DON’T THINK WE NEED TO ABOLI, BUT FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY ARE GOING. WE NEED COURTS FOR INDIVIDUALS GETTING TRAFFIC TICKETS — WE HAVE COURTS FOR INDIVIDUALS GETTING TRAFFIC TICKETS AND I AM AGAINST THAT. I AM PART OF A LAWSUIT THAT WILL ADDRESS THAT ISSUE AND KEEP I.C.E O OF OUR — I.C.E. OUT OF OUR COURTS IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. DOUG: KYLE TISDEL , YOU ARE NEXT. MR. TISDEL: THE POLICIES ARE ON CRUELTY AND EXCLUSION. I AM AGAINST THE FAMILY SEPARATION POLICIES AND DEPORTATION OF THOSE WHO COME ACROSS OUR BORDERS SEEKING ASYLUM. THE BORDER WALL IS A BOONDOGGLE FOR CORPORATE PROFITEERING AND PAYBACKS TO THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION. LET’S BE CLE HERE, UNDER THE CLIMATE CRISIS, IT IS PREDICTED WE WILL HAVE 700 MILLION CLIMATE REFUGEES MID CENTURY. THE TIME IS NOW TO PUT IN JUST IMMIGRATION POLICIES THAT ARE BASED ON MORAL AND A JUST RESPONSE TO THAT IMMIGRATION CRISIS. THAT HAS TO START WITH SERVICES AND MAKING SURE WE ARE TREATING ASYLUM-SEEKERS WITH THE APPROPRIATE HUMAN RIGHTS THEY DESERVE. DOUG JOSEPH SANCHEZ, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SANCHE I DON’T BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE WILLING A WALL. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO SECURE OUR BORDERS TO TECHNOLOGY. WITH ALL THE MONEY SPENT ON WALLS, WE COULD HIRE PEOPLE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THA AREA. YOU NEED TO EXPAND THE WORKER VISA PROGRAM. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORKERS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT WE NEED. THEY HAVE THE VALUES AND THE ROOTS. I DON’T BELIEVE IN TEARING APART FAMILIES. YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT THESE PEOPLE AND WE CAN’T DISCRIMINATE. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY AND WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO FILE AND GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK. THESE PEOPLE ARE JUST LIKE US AND ONE OF US. AS FAR AS I.CE., WE DEFINITELY NEED LEADERSHIP BUT I DON’T AGREE WITH TEARING IT APART. WE HAVE TO HAVE THEM THE RIGHT MARCHING ORDERS TO DO THEIR JOB THAT IS HUMANE AND NOT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE. DOUG VALERIE PLAME , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. PLAME: THE POLICIES HAVE NO PLACE LIKE NEW MEXICANS AND AMERICANS ARE, WELCOMING. TH VAST MAJORITY OF IMMIGRANTS SEEKING A BETTER LIFE ARE FLEEIN VIOLENCE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, MURDER, AND WE SHOULD WELCOME THEM. THAT SAID, THE SYSTEM WE HAVE IN PLACE IS TOTAL INADEQUATE IN TERMS OF JUDGES, TRANSLATORS, AND WAYS OF BRINGING THEM INTO THE COUNTRY AND TRACKING THEM APPROPRIATELY. WE JUST SPENT THE BUDGET FOR MILITARY AND IT W $748 BILLION. IF WE TOOK A PORTION OF THAT, VERY SMALL, AND PUT THAT TOWARD IMPROVING THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS WHAT.C.E. IS, WE COULD HOLD OUR HEADS HIGH OF BEING THE WELCOMING COUNTRY WE KNOW WE ARE. DOUG: LAURA MONTOYA . MS. MONTOY GOING ON AT THE BORDER, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I AM CONCERNED ABOUT. THERE IS THE MIGRATION OF ANIMALS AND HUMAN BEINGS BEING TREATED DISPROPORTIONATELY WRONG IN COMPARISON TO OTHER BORDERS. PEOPLE OF COLORS AND FAMILIES ARE BEING BROKEN THROUGH THIS PROCESS. AND NOW THROUGH COVID, IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. WASTING MONEY ON A WALL IS UNACCEPTABLE. HAVING AN ACTIVE SECRETARY TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM LA AND MILITARY BASES IN NEW MEXICO TO GO AND TAKE CARE OF A WALL THAT DO NOTHING BUT BREAK MORE BARRIERS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I AM A PERSON WHO IS ABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES. WHEN YOU FIRST MENTIONED THE WALL, THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT ABOUT WAS BETWEEN HERE AND TEXAS, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH ALL THE PEOPLE FROM TEXAS COMING TO NEW MEXICO AND CONCERNS OF COVID. WE NEED TO PROTECT THOSE PEOPLE, BECAUSE THI COUNTRY WAS BUILT ON THE BACKS OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES. DOUG TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ . MS. FERNANDEZ: WE KNOW THAT CONTRABAND COMES IN THE POINTS OF ENTRY. THAT IS WHERE WE MUST INCREASE OUR SECURITY. WE MUST DEFEAT THOSE THAT WOULD DEMONIZE IMMIGRANTS AND OTHERS TO GET POWER, WHICH IS WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE WITH THE WALL. I AM IN FAVOR OF A COMPREHENSIVE REFORM POLICY THAT RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMIGRANTS TO OUR COMMUNI, THAT MAKES SURE DREAMERS CAN STAY AND CONTRIBUTE O OUR COMMUNITIES AND TH FAMILIES AS WELL. I DID HELP START AN IMMIGRATION CLINIC AND I WAS AT STANFORD LAW SCHOOL, AND HAVE PERSONALLY REPRESENTED MANY IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE INCREDIBLE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THEY ARE ON THE FRONT LINES RIGH NOW. WE NEED TO RESPECT THEM AND RESPECT THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN OUR COMMUNITY. DOUG: JOHN BLAIR, YOU HAVE THE FINAL ANSWER. MR. BLAI PRESIDENT TRUMPS ADMINISTRATION — TRUMP’S ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN A DUMPSTER FIRE. HA DONE ALL THEY CAN TO BE CRUEL AND UNJUST IN DEALING WITH THIS CRISIS. PUTTING KIDS IN CAGES IS A STAIN ON AMERICA THAT WILL BE WITH US LONG AFTER WE ARE ALL GONE. I FULLY SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM, INCLUDING A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP. WE HAVE TO ALLOW DREAMERS INTO OUR SOCIETY IS OUT HIDING IN THE SHADOWS. OUR BORDER WALL IS THE BIGGEST BOONDOGGLE MISTAKE WE HAVE EVER SEEN. IT I DIVERTING MONEY FROM MILITARY AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT COUL BE IMPROVING OUR CLEAN ENERGY. WITH REGAR TO I.C.E., IT IS CLEAR THEY HAVE GONE OVER WHAT THEIR JOB IS. THEY NEED NATURE MEDICINE OVERHAUL. DOUG: NEW MEXICO DEPENDS ON OIL GAS REVENUE IN OUR STATE AND IT IS SUFFERING BECAUSE OF THE COVID ENDEMIC THE BAN ON FRACKING COULD FURTHER IMPACT PRODUCTION HERE. WHERE DO YOU STAND ON FRACKING? ANSWERING FIRST IS VALERIE PLAME . MS. PLAME: OIL AND GAS UNTIL RECENTLY MADE UP 30% OF THE REVENUE. THAT IS WIPED OUT. I HAVE SAID THAT THE MONEY GUSHING OUT OF T █BASIN WAS IN A WAY A GIFT, BECAUSE WE COULD USE IT TO HELP EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS IN THE STATE. AS WELL, IT WAS ALLOWING US TO TRANSITION TO CLEANER FUELS. I THINK FRACKING, YOU HAVE TO TA THAT INTO ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND A REVIEW WHAT THAT MEANS. I THINK OVERNIGHT DOING A FRACKING BAND WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL, BUT I LIKE THE FACT THAT THE LAN COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO PUT A MUCH HIGHER AMOUNT TO PUT ON TH RIGS SO THAT WHEN THEY CLOSE THEY MUST PAY A PENALTY FOR THE CLEANUP AFTERWARDS. DOUG: LAURA MONTOYA , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. MONTOYA: AS AN ELECTIVE — ELECTED OFFICIAL, I STOOD WITH THE RESIDENTS THAT WE DON’T WANT IT IN OUR COMMUNITY. I WAS IN THE FIRST COUNTY THAT SAID NO FRACKING HERE. I BELIEVE WE CAN GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. WE HAVE ENDORSEMENTS FOR ME. WE HAVE DANIEL, WHO GIVES TOURS FRACKING, WHO HAS ENDORSED- ME.ACKING, WHO HAS ENDORSED- THOSE ARE REAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ACTIVISTS FIGHTING FOR OUR LAND, WATER, AND AIR FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS. I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT FIGHT WITH THEM AND MOVE NEW MEXICO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, TO HAVE OUR ECONOMY BE BOOSTED, BUT NOT ON THE BACKS OF NOT HAVING CLEAN WATER, AIR, AND LAND. DOUG: TERESA LEGER FERNANDE , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. FERNANDEZ: WE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS AND ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS, BECAUSE IF WE DON’T ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND THE ECONOMIC DEVASTATION TO NEW MEXICANS WILL BE JUST HORRIBLE. WHAT I PROPOSE AND SUPPORT IS THOSE KINDS OF POLICIES LIKE THE 100% CLEAN CONOMY ACT, WHICH WOULD SAY, LET’S MOVE AWAY AND HAVE A TRANSITION AWAY FROM THESE KINDS OF FUELS. LET’S REINVEST I COMMUNITIES AND JOB TRAINING AND MOVE TO RENEWABLE ENERGY, WHICH IS SOLAR AND WIND THAT WE HAVE IN NEW MEXICO. THAT’S IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH, ESPECIALLY IN T RURAL COMMUNITIES. IT WILL BE MUCH BETTER FOR NEW MEXICO IF WE HAVE A PLAN. YES, I AM VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF THOSE. DOUG JOHN BLAIR, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. BLAIR: I AM SO PROUD OF THE WORK DONE BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH. WE NEED TO KEEP DOING MORE AND KEEP FIGHTING. THIS LIMIT CRISIS WE ARE IN NOW IS URGENT. WE DON’T HAVE 20 OR OR 40 YEARS TO WAIT TO DECIDE AND TAKE REAL ACTION. RIGH NOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENDS TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS INCENTIVIZING THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY AND I DON’T THI WE SHOULD DO THAT ANYMORE. WE SHOULD INSTEAD LUNCH THE CLEAN ECONOMY AND THAT WOULD BE A DRIVER OF DEVELOPMENT IN THIS DISTRICT AND NEW MEXICO. IT WOULD HELP CREATE GOOD JOBS ACRO NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, JOB TRAINING WHILE WE TRANSITION WORKERS AWAY FROM FOSSIL FEEL INDUSTRIES INTO THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY. I DO SUPPORT A BAN ON NEW FRACKING ON FEDERAL LAND. I THINK IT IS A NECESSARY STEP WE HAVE TO TAKE. DOUG: KYLE TISDEL , YOU ARE NEXT. MR. TISDEL: I HAVE SPENT MY CAREER SUING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH BAD DECISIONS WITH RESPECT TO FRACKING. WE ARE IN A CLIMATE EMERGENCY RIGHT NOW AND ANY ACTION WE TAKE AS GOT TO ALIGN WITH THE SCIENCE AND TIMELINE OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS WHICH DEMANDS WE MANAGE THE DECLINE OF THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY. NEW MEXICO HAS OPERATED AS AN ENERGY COLONY FOR BIG OIL GENERATIONS, AND DESPITE ALL OF THE REVENUE COMING INTO OUR STATE, WE ARE AT THE VERY BOTTOM IN TIMES OF CHILDHOOD WELFARE, EDUCATION, SERVICES WE CAN DIVIDE. IT SHOWS THE BACKWARDS RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE TWO THAT OIL AND GAS REVENUE. WE NEED A JUST TRANSITION NOT ONLY FOR COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THIS EXPLOITATION, BUT HE JUST TRANSITION FOR STATES LIKE NEW MEXICO SO WE CAN INVEST IN A CLEAN ECONOMY OF TOMORROW AND BE LEADERS IN THE CLEAN ECONOMY AND PUT PEOPLE FIRST. DOUG MARCO SERNA, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SERN I AM SURPRISED THAT NONE OF THEM MENTIONED THE GREEN NEW DEAL IN THEIR SUPPORT OF IT. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE HEAD-ON, INDICATING I DO NOT SUPPORT THE GREEN NEW DEAL. THE REASON I DO NOT SUPPORT IT IS BECAUSE IT WOULD DEVASTATE NEW MEXICO’S ECONOMY. 40% OF OUR REVENUE STREAM COMES FROM OIL AND GAS. DO I AGREE WITH THE IDEA? ABSOLUTELY, WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR WORLD AND ENVIRONMENT, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT RESPONSIBLY. THAT IS WHAT OUR LEGISLATURE DID IN PASSING A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO ELIMINATE THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS AND THE RELIANCE OF FOSSIL FUELS WITHIN EIGHT 30-YEAR TIME SPA, ENCOURAGING INVESTMENT IN GREEN TECHNOLOGIES, WHICH WE CAN BECOME A LEADE IN BOTH WIN AND SOLAR, BUT THESE ARE THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE NEED TO LOOK AT WEBSITES AND HOLD INDIVIDUALS ACCOUNTABLE ON WHAT THEY SAY, BECAUSE SINCE DAY ONE, I HAVE BEEN OPPOSED TO THE SCREEN NEW DEAL. DOUG: AND FINALLY, JOSEPH SANCHEZ. MR. SANCHEZ: I AM THE VICE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE PPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. NO ONE UNDERSTANDS THE BUDGET WITH AN EYE, PARTICULARLY ON GAS. — THAN I DO, PARTICULARLY WITH WE NEE TO PROTECT OUR WATER RIGHT NOW AND CULTURAL SITES. YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FLIP THE SWITC PEOPLE — SWITCH. LOOK HOW OUR STATE IS FALTERING. HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY OUR TEACHERS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES? IT IS A BIG PART OF OUR BUDGET. WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE IS, I AM AN ENGINEER AND I KNOW HOW RENEWABLES WORK, I WOULD PUSH TECHNOLOGIES TO CURB THE EMISSIONS WE NEED TO DO THAT. OIL AND GAS IS IMPORTANT, BUT WE HAVE TO PHASE OUT OVER A REGIONAL AMOUNT OF TIME. WE CAN’T JUST FLIP A SWITCH. DOUG: THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE FORUM. WE HAVE MORE COMING UP. ANNOUNCER: WELCOME BACK. YOU’RE WATCHING THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE FORUM. THE SEVEN CANDIDATES FIGHTING FOR THE SEAT ALL JOIN US VIA ZOOM. HERE IS NEXT QUESTION. KENT: WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE ELIMINATION OF PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE IN TERMS OF MEDICARE FOR ALL. IF YOU FAVORITE, HOW WOULD YOU PAY FOR IT? DOUG KYLE TISDEL , YOU ARE FIRST. MR. TISDEL: I AM FOR IT. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS OVER 36 MILLION AMERICANS, AND MANY HAVE LOST THEIR HEAL INSURANCE WITH LOSING THOSE JOBS. SO HAVING PRIVATE INSURANCE THAT IS TIED TO EMPLOYMEN DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE. HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT AND SHOULD NOT BE A PRIVILEGE. WE ALSO NEED TO FOCUS ON NOT JUST MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE INSURED, THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, WHICH INCLUDES IN MAN RURAL PARTS OF THIS DISTRICT WHERE WE NEED TO SUPPORT HAVING DOCTORS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THAT COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. BUT FRANKLY, WE PAY FOR THAT DREW MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE SYSTEM OF TAXATION AND A REDISTRIBUTION OF THE WAY SUBSIDIES WORK. DOUG MARCO SERNA, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SERNA: SINCE DAY ONE, I HAVE BEEN IN FAVOR OF EXPANDING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS A VIABLE OPTION FOR A MEDICARE FOR ALL THAT WOULD BE PA FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT. I BELIEVE IT WOULD END UP BEING PUT ON THE BACKS OF HARD-WORKING AMERICANS AND NEW MEXICANS. I AM A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY A PRIVATE AUCTION IS A GOOD THING. THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS THE STATE DID FOR ME AND MY HEALTH CARE AND MY RECENT STAY WITH MY SON ATNMH. SHOWS HOW IT WORKS. AMERICANS LIKE THIS DIFFERENT THAN A MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE IMPROVE IT AND HAVE THE ACCESS AVAILABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED QUALITY HEALTH CARE. I AGREE, IT IS RIGHT AND IT IS NOT JUST A PRIVILEGE FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT. BY EXPANDING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, W WILL DO THAT. DOUG: JOSEPH SANCHEZ, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SANCHEZ: I DEFINITELY SUPPORT IMPROVING AND EXPANDING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. THAT WAS A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION, BUT IT HAS A LOT OF HOLES. WE NEED TO MAKE BETTER. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR PRIVATE INSURANCE. I DON’T THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEMONSTRATED THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OPERATING HOSPITALS. IF WE ARE GOING FROM ZERO TO 100, WE NEED T TAKE STEPS IN THAT DIRECTION. AS A STA REP, I VOTED TO PROTECT PEPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS VOTED TO ALLOW THE PURCHASE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FRO CANADA. PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO OR WANT TO DO, I AM ALREADY DOING IT AT THE STATE LEVEL. I WI THAT IN ONCE I AM ELECTED. WE NEED TO IMPROVE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND WHEN WE HAD IN THAT DIRECTION AND PEOPLE ARE HAPPY WITH IT, IT WILL GO ITS WAY ON ITS OWN. DOUG: VALERIE OPLAME. MS. PLAM WE SIMPLY CANNOT CONTINUE THE WAY WE ARE DOING. WE HAVE OVER 30 MILLION PEOPLE OUT OF A JOB AND WE HAVE EMPLOYEE BASED HEALTH CARE, THE NUMBERS JUST DON’T WORK OUT. I AM DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF EXPANDING MEDICARE FOR ALL, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE A TRANSITION RATE. PERIOD. WE SHOULD ALSO BUILD ON WHAT WE HAVE, OBAMACARE. UNDER TH ADMINISTRATION, ONE MORE TIME LAST WEEK, THE PRESIDENT SAID HE IS GOING TO TRY ONCE AGAIN TO STRIKE THAT FROM THE BOOKS. THAT MEANS THINGS LIKE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS WOULD COME BACK, AND THAT WOULD, IN FACT, BE IT SOMETHING COVERED LIKE COVID. WE HAVE TO B SURE THAT IN NOVEMBER WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT AND A DEMOCRATIC SENATE. DOUG: LAURA MONTOYA , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. MONTOY 60% OF BANKRUPTCIES ARE DUE TO MEDICAL BILLS. I HAVE SAID THIS FOR YEARS. I MADE SURE AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE NEW MEXICANS HAVE AFFORDABLE ACCESS, RAL COMPONENT. I HAVE MAD SURE WE PUT THIS AT THE FRONT LINES, BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE ARE N HEALTHY, SOME OF US, NONE OF US ARE. TH IS WHY COVID HAS AFFECTED SO MANY PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO. MEDICARE FOR HALL HAS — MEDICARE FOR ALL HAS PROBLEMS. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT COST AND BENEFITS. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT HURTS OUR UNIONS AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. I HAVE FOOT FOR THE 40% EXCISE TAX FOR GOVERNMENT INSURANCE AND I NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DON’T HURT SMALL BUSINESSES. MEDICARE FOR ALL IT’S A BIGGER BURDEN — AND CARE FOR ALL. IT WAS A BURDEN ON THE COMMUNITY. DOUG: TERESA LEGER FERNANDE , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. FERNANDEZ: TOO MANY PEOPLE CAN GET TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE DEDUCTIBLES AND COPAYMENTS. 30 MILLION PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS IN THIS PANDEMIC AND HAVE LOST HEALTH INSURANCE. YES, I DO SUPPORT MEDICARE FOR ALL, BECAUSE IT WILL BRING DOWN THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND OTHER OUT OF POCKETS. IT HAS MORE MONEY GOING TO RURL HEALTH CLINICS. IT SAVES US MONEY. REPORTS SHOW IT WOULD SAVE $450 BILLION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT WOULD SAVE 6000 TO 8000 LIVES A YEAR, AND WE NEED TO FOCUS ON SAVING NOT JUST THE MONEY BUT ALSO THOSE LIVES. DOUG JOHN BLAIR. MR. BLAI ALL WE HAVE SEEN ARE THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS TAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO REPEAL THE LAW AND DAMAGE ITS ABILITY TO HELP AMERICANS. EVEN WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK OFFICE THEY DAMAGE THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE AND BROKE DOWN THE EXCHANGE. FROM CORNER TO CORNER IN THE DISTRICT, NEW MEXICA ARE LACKING HEALTH INSURANCE, IN PART BECAUSE OF THEIR ZIP CODE AND IN MANY CASES THEIR INCOME. HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT AND EVERYBODY DESERVES QUALITY HEALTH CARE. I WOULD FIGHT TO RESTORE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WHERE IT WAS BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK OVER. WE HAVE TO REBUILD T EXCHANGE AND MAKE SURE ALL NEW MEXICANS THAT HAVE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS HAVE ACCESS TO CARE. I SUPPORT A ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION THAT CAN GROW STRONGER AND STRONGER, LIKE THE MEDICARE FOR ALL, THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO OPT IN IF THEY WOULD LIKE. DOUG: NEXT QUESTION FROM KENT WALSH. KENT THE UNITED STATES IS DEPENDENT ON CHINA FOR THINGS LIKE ANTIBIOTICS. YOU BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING PRODUCTION OF CRITICAL ITEMS TO T U.S., AND IF SO, HOW WOULD YOU DO THAT? DOUG: KYLE TISDEL , YOU ARE FIRST. MR. TISDEL: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING SOME MANUFACTURING BACK TO THE UNITED STATES. WHAT IS DRIVING THIS IS CORPORATE GREED AND PROFITS, NOT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. HOW WE DO THAT IS THROUGH THE TRAD POLICIES. THERE ARE BARRIERS IN THE TRADE POLICIES THAT PRIORITIZE PRIVATE GAIN AND PROFIT OVER WHAT IS BEST F AMERICANS, NEW MEXICANS, AND OUR COMMUNITIES. WE NEED TO HAVE PROVISIONS IN ALL OF OUR TRADE POLICIES THAT ALLOW FOR CONSIDERATION OF LABOR STANDARDS, HUM RIGHTS STANDARDS, CLIMATE STANDARDS, AND ALL OF THAT NEEDS TO BE BUILT INTO OUR TRADE RELATIONSHIPS AND OUR MANUFACTURING. THAT IS HOW WE BRING JOBS BACK ON SHORE AND THAT IS HOW W BOTTOM THAT EXISTS IN THIS COUNTRY, THAT IS FOCUSED ON CORPORATE GREED. DOUG: TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ . MS. FERNANDE YES, WE NEED TO HAVE THE KIND OF MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES THAT IS KEY TO ADDRESS THESE KINDS OF EMERGENCIES AND ALSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT IS DISTRIBUTED THREAT THE UNITED STATES. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS WE HAVE AN INEQUITY, NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF THE INCREDIBLE ECONOMIC INEQUITY THAT EXISTS, BUT ALSO EQUITY IN TERMS OF HOW MANUFACTURING IS RESTRICTED IN THE UNITED STATES. I THINK SUPPORTING SMALLER BUSINESSES SO THAT WE DON’T HAVE SUCH BIG MONOPOLIES WOULD ALSO BE VERY IMPORTANT. PART OF WHAT WE SUFFER FROM IS THAT WE HAVE THIS VERY SHORT VISION, SHORT PROFITS VERSUS WHAT DO WE NEED IN THE LONG-TERM. WE START LOOKING AT WHAT WE NEED IN T LONG-TERM, WE WILL BUILD A MORE RESILIENT ECONOMY AND ADDRESS CRISES THESE. DOUG: JOHN BLAIR. MR. BLAIR: I ACTUALL FEEL COMPELLED TO RAISE AN ISSUE, THERE ARE TOO DARK MANY GROUPS SPENDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMPAIGN. WITH HAD ENOUGH OF SPECIAL INTERESTS AND THE ULTRARICH MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS IN SECRET AND TRYING TO INFLUENCE ELECTIONS. I HAVE FOUGHT AGAINST DARK MONEY IN ELECTIONS WHEN I WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE. WE HAVE TO LIVE UP TO THE VALUES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND CALL FOR THESE TO BE BROUGHT DOWN IMMEDIATELY. I SECOND THE MOTION. DOUG: YOU HAVE A 32 REBUTTAL TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ . MS. FERNANDEZ: I RECEIVED CAMPAIGN SUPPORT FROM ALL DISTRICTS. THE MAJORITY IS COMING FROM N MEXICO. THE TWO GROUPS I KNOW OF THAT ARE SUPPORTING THE CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS. EMILY’S LIST IS DEDICATED TO ELECTING MORE WOMEN TO OFFICE AND IT HELPED ELECT DEB HOLLAND AND MICHELLE GRISHAM. I AM PROUD TO HAVE THEIR SUPPORT AND OTHERS. DOUG: LAURA MONTOYA , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. MONTOY I WAS TOLD BY EMILY’S LIST THAT I WASN’T APPROPRIATE. I HADN’T UPBRINGING THAT WAS ON THE POOR SIDE. I FOUND IT INSULTING. I FIND IT INSULTING THERE IS SO MUCH BIG MONEY COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF N MEXICO, $60,000, $30,000 FROM CALIFORNIA AND D.C. I THOUGHT WE WERE NEW MEXICANS AND MONEY FROM NEW MEXICO SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY. WE NEED TO HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO REPRESENT WHO WE ARE, NOT WHAT THEY WANT THE SPECIAL INTERESTS TO DO IN BROKEN WASHINGTON, D.C. DOUG: MARCO SERNA, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SERNA: I WILL TRY TO BRING IT BACK TO THE QUESTION, IF I COULD. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO START WORK PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR HARD-WORKING AMERICANS AND NEW MEXICANS. IT IS IN ALGA’S FOR MY EFFORTS IN STIMULATING LOCAL, RUR ECONOMIES SO SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE MY MOM DON’T — IT IS ANALOGOUS FOR MY EFFORTS AND STIMULATE LOCAL, RUR ECONOMY SO SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE MY MOM DON’T SUFFER. IT NEEDS TO BE EQUITABLE AND WE NEED A PLAN THAT ENCOURAGES ECONOMIC GROWT CREATES VIABLE JOB OPTIONS FOR HARD-WORKING AMERICANS AND NEW MEXICANS SO THAT WE CAN ALL STRIVE, AS A COMMUNITY AND AS NATION, AND CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHIER FUTURE. DOUG: VALERIE PLAME , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. PLAME: AS DEMOCRATS, WE SHOULD ALL REJECT DARK MONEY. IS CORRECTING — CORRUPTING INFLUENCE IN POLITICS. IT IS WHY WE DON’T HAVE GUN LAW LEGISLATION OR WHY WE CAN’T PUSH BACK AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES OR BIG PHARMA. TO THE QUESTION CHINA, ABSOLUTELY. YOU WALK INT TARGET OR WALMART, AND I BET YOU 95% OF EVERYTHING YOU TOSS IN YOUR CART HAS BEEN MADE IN CHINA. FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE, THINGS LIKE RARE EARTH MINERALS ARE THERE AND AS WE ARE SEEING IN THI PANDEMIC, ALL SORTS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES. WHY IS THIS SO? IT COMES FROM A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP. FOREIGN POLICY HAS BEEN DEEPLY ERODED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION. WANT TO MAKE SURE I TAKE MY NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERIENCE AND PUT TO WORK FOR NEW MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES. DOUG: JOSEPH SANCHEZ. MR. SANCHEZ: WHAT I FIND INTERESTING IS THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ANSWERED THE QUESTION THAT ARE BACKED BY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORIES SHUT DOWN. YOU HAD THAT NOT IN MY BACKYARD MENTALITY, BUT NOW THEY SAY WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MANUFACTURING COME BACK. WHICH IS IT? I FULL SUPPORT BRINGING BACK THESE JOBS. WE NEED TO EMPLO THESE PEOPLE AND PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. I SUPPORT THE LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORIES. THEY CONTRIBUTE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE ECONOMY. WE NEED TO BRING MANUFACTURING EXIT — NEW MEXICO, AND I WILL BE A HUGE PROPONENT OF THAT. I FIND IT HYPOCRITICAL OF SO OF THE CANDIDATES WHO SAY THEY SUPPORT LOS ALAMOS, BUT WANT TO SEE THE SCOPE DID. — SCOPE LIMITED. IS PART OF NATIONAL SECURITY. I SUPPORT LOS ALAMOS, I AM A FAMILY AND MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE EMPLOYEES. DOUG: THAT WILL CONCLUDE OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD FOR THIS DEBATE. NOW IT’S TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS. EACH CANDIDATE HAS 60 SECONDS. WE ARE GOING IN OF A MEDICAL ORDER. JOHN BLAIR, YOUR FIRST. MR. BLAIR: I MADE MEXICAN. WE CAN’T — I AM A NEW MEXICAN. I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE WHO WORK FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA. WE ARE FACIN A CLIMATE CRISIS AND AN OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND A PANDEMIC. MOST IMMUNITIES DEALING WITH HOUSING OR IF THE STRUCTURE CRISIS AND NOW WE ARE FACING A MULTITUDE OF CHALLENGES AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. IN ADDITION TO WORKING FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA, I WORKED FOR GOOD N MEXICAN DEMOCRATS. MY EXPERIENCE MEANS I CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE, TAKE ON THE NRA, AND TACKLE ELF CARE. YOU CAN WORK — FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ME MY — TACKLE HEALTH CARE. YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ME ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE. DOUG: TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ , YOU ARE NEXT. MS. FERNANDE WE NEED LEADERSHIP THAT IS GROUNDED IN RE EXPERIENCE IN OUR DISTRICT. I BUILT HEALTH CARE CENTERS, HELPED BRI BROADBAND, FOUGHT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. I FINISHED MY EDUCATION AT STANFORD LAW. I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 30 YEARS LISTENING AND GETTING THINGS DONE. I HAVE TWO PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS, ONE FROM CLINTON AND ONE FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA. I AM A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR. I LOST TWO BROTHERS TO ADDICTION. NOT ONLY HAVE I WORKED ON THE ISSUES PERTINENT TO THE DISTRICT, I HAVE LIVED THEM. FOR ME, LIKE MANY OF YOU, THEY ARE REAL. I WILL TAKE MY STRONG VOICE TO D.C. TO ADVOCAT. DOUG: LAURA MONTOYA. MS. MONTOYA: HELLO, I AM 17 YEARS GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE. MY ENTIRE LIFE JOURNEY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW MEXICANS. I COME FROM A RURAL COMMUNITY WHERE I WAS THE OLDEST AND I STARTED CLEANING HOUSES AND BABYSITTING AT 14. NOW I MANAGE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS THE EXPERIENCE OF LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY WORK. I HAVE GOTTEN 20 BILLS PAST IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER PEOPLE FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, FROM THE STATE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I HAVE BEEN THE CHAIR OF NEXT GENERATION, THE YOUNG ELECTED OFFICIALS. FOR ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE NIGHT STATES — IN THE UNITED STATES WHO PUT ME THERE, I AM ASKING YOU TO SEE DARK MONEY CAP OUT OF THE CAMPAIGN. PLEASE LOOK AT MY — MONEY KEPT OUT OF THE CAMPAIGN. PLEASE GO TO MY WEBSITE. DOUG: VALERIE PLAME . MS. PLAME: I A RUNNING BECAUSE WE NEED TO METOO STAND UP FOR US. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME CONCERNS ALL OVER — I AM RUNNING BECAUSE WE NEEDED SOMEONE TO STAND UP FOR US. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME CONCERNS ALL OVER THE STATE. WE HAVE TO BE SAFE AND HEALTHY. COVID IS IT OUR COMMUNITY HARD. IT IS A SCARY TIME. OUR FAVORITE BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING. I HAVE NO DOUBT WE WILL SURMOUNT THE CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF US. NEW MEXICO DESERVES A CONGRESSMAN WHO KNOWS HOW IT WORKS AND HOW IT DOESN’T. WHEN MY GOVERNMENT BETRAYED ME AND ENDED MY CIA CAREER, I THOUGHT THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR LEGISLATION SO THAT EVERY NEW MEXICAN CAN SURVIVE A THRIVE. THANK YOU. DOUG: JOSEPH SANCHEZ. MR. SANCHEZ: WE HAVE A CHOICE. WE CAN GO DOWN THE ROAD OF ELECTING CANDIDATES WHO ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR, DOWN THE ROAD OF CANDIDATES WHO WANT TO TURN NEW MEXICO INTO CALIFORNIA OR NEW YORK AND A ONE-SIZE-FITS-AL POLICY, OR WE CAN ELECT SOMEONE WITH THE EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND FRESH IDEAS TO HELP GROW OUR ECONOMY, OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM AND IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE VALUES AND TRADITIONS AND KNOWS THE PEOPLE. THIS ELECTION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFETIMES. THIS IS ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH. DIFFICULT CHALLENGES IN DIFFICULT TIMES. I AM NOT AFRAI T TACKLE DIFFICULT CHALLENGES. I AM A LIFETIME NEW MEXICAN DEMOCRAT AND HAVE NOT BEEN BOUGHT BY DONORS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS. I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE TO MOVE US FORWARD. I AM AN ENGINEER, BUSINESSMAN, OUTDOORSMAN, AND LEGISLATOR. I KNOW HOW TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. I AM REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH SANCHEZ AND RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE. DOUG MARCO SERNA, YOU ARE NEXT. MR. SERNA: I AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND I AM HAVE DEDICATED MY LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE BECAUSE GROWING UP IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO AMONG LIFTING UP YOUR COMMUNITY IS THE BEST BECAUSE YOU CAN TAKE UP. I HAVE BEEN A LEADER ON THE FRONT LINES WITH REGARD TO THE OPIOID ENDEMIC ADDRESS OUR COMMUNITIES AND STATE. I HAVE BEEN A EATER WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MAKING SURE WE PROVIDE SAFE KITS TO THE ENTIRE DISTRICT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS MOST HARD-HIT. I AM MAKING MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOU, TH VOTER, AS A CANDIDATE WITH DETAILED POSITION PAPERS ON SEVERAL ISSUES, NOT ONLY NEW MEXICO, BUT THE COUNTRY. YOU NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOUR CANDIDATE STANDS AND WHY. I BELIEVE I CAN REPRESENT THE ENTIRE DISTRICT, AS I HAVE TRAVELED AND LISTENED TO YOU. MY NAME IS MARCO SERNA. I HUMBLY ASK YOUR SUPPORT AND HOPE TO EARN YOUR VOTE. THANK YOU. DOUG MR. TISDEL TISDEL MR. TISDEL: THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO HAVE A LIVABLE PLANET. YOU NEED SOMEONE WILLING TO TAKE ON THE VESTED INTERESTS HOLDING US BACK. I SPENT IN CAREER FIGHTING FOR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES BEING IN THE SHADOW OF FOSSIL FUEL EXPLOITATION. I FOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT IN FEDERAL COURT, WHERE HE — WHERE WE INVENT OUTNUMBERED AND OUTSPENT AND WE WON. THIS DEMANDS THE FUNDAMENTAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE VERY SYSTEMS THAT HAVE CAUSED THE CRISIS WE FACE. TO FINALLY PEOPLE BEFORE CORPORATE PROFITS. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IN THIS ELECTION TO SET A NEW COURSE, TO END THE CYCLE OF EXPECTATION AND FOR NEW MEXICO TO LEAD THE LIEN ECONOMY OF TOMORROW. NO ONE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS ALONE AND IT IS TIME TO RISE UP AND FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE AND THAT OF OUR CHILDREN. DOUG CANDIDATES, INC. YOU VERY MUCH FOR DEALING WITH THE TECHNOLOGY — THANK YOU VERY TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING THAT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ABSENTEE VOTING IS UNDERWAY NOW AND THE PRIMARY IS JUNE 2. CANDIDATES, THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS VIRTUAL FORUM. OUR THANKS TO THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL FOR PARTNERING WITH US IN THIS COMMITMENT 2020 SPECIAL. YOU’LL BE ABLE TO WATCH THIS DEBATE AGAIN AT KOAT.COM AND ABQJOURNAL.COM [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING IN

Commitment 2020: Democratic Candidate Forum CD3

Updated: 4:55 PM MDT May 17, 2020

KOAT and The Albuquerque Journal hosts a debate for Congressional District 3.The candidates are vying for the seat vacated by Ben Ray Lujan, who is now running for US Senate. The candidates include John Blair of Santa Fe, Teresa Leger Fernandez of Santa Fe, Sandoval County Treasurer Laura Montoya of Rio Rancho, Valerie Plame of Santa Fe, state Rep. Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde, 1st Judicial District Attorney Marco Serna of Santa Fe and Kyle Tisdel of Taos.Watch the full debate in the video above.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

KOAT and The Albuquerque Journal hosts a debate for Congressional District 3.

The candidates are vying for the seat vacated by Ben Ray Lujan, who is now running for US Senate. The candidates include John Blair of Santa Fe, Teresa Leger Fernandez of Santa Fe, Sandoval County Treasurer Laura Montoya of Rio Rancho, Valerie Plame of Santa Fe, state Rep. Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde, 1st Judicial District Attorney Marco Serna of Santa Fe and Kyle Tisdel of Taos.

Watch the full debate in the video above.