Biographical summaries of the Democratic candidates for governor in New Mexico’s June 3 primary election. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has no primary opposition.
NAME - Gary King
AGE - 59
EXPERIENCE - Attorney general, 2007-present; Democratic nominee in 2nd Congressional District, 2004; state House of Representatives, 1987-1998; candidate for governor in Democratic primary, 1998, 2002; policy adviser for environmental management, director of Office of Worker and Community Transition, U.S Department of Energy, 1998-2001; general counsel, senior environmental scientist, Advanced Sciences Inc., 1990-1998; formed private firm in 1984.
EDUCATION - Law degree, University of New Mexico, 1983; Ph.D. in organic chemistry, University of Colorado, 1980; bachelor’s degree in chemistry, New Mexico State University, 1976.
ISSUES - Increase minimum wage, expand early childhood education with higher permanent fund payout, stop privatization of public school system, reduce classroom sizes, scrap current rule allowing groundwater pollution by copper mines.
WEBSITE - https://www.garykingforgovernor.com/
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NAME - Linda Lopez
AGE - 50
EXPERIENCE - State senator, 1997-present; special projects coordinator, Bernalillo County, 2009-present; candidate for Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, 2010; special projects coordinator, Mid-Region Council of Governments, 2007-2009; special projects coordinator, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, 2001-2005.
EDUCATION - Master of business administration, College of Santa Fe, 1992; bachelor’s degree, College of Santa Fe, 1987.
ISSUES - Increase minimum wage, reduce public school student testing, suspend current teacher evaluation system, create state internship program to train students and veterans, slow implementation of educational “common core” standards.
WEBSITE - https://lindalopezgovernor2014.com/
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NAME - Howie Morales
AGE - 41
EXPERIENCE - State senator, 2008-present; patient centered care director, Gila Regional Medical Center, 2009-2014; Grant County clerk, 2005-2008; special education transition coordinator, Cobre Consolidated School District; 2003-2004; special education teacher, Silver City and Cobre schools, 1995-2003.
EDUCATION - Doctorate in curriculum instruction/education management and development/learning technologies, New Mexico State University, 2007; master’s degree in bilingual and special education, Western New Mexico University, 1997; bachelor’s degree in biology and special education from Western New Mexico University, 1995.
ISSUES - Raise liquor and cigarette taxes to finance universal access to early childhood education and child care, raise hourly minimum wage to $11 by 2017, expand adult education program for earning a high school equivalent degree, ensure gender pay equity.
WEBSITE - https://www.morales4nm.com/
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Name - Lawrence Rael
AGE - 56
EXPERIENCE - State executive director, U.S. Farm Service Agency, 2012-2013; president, Green Chamber of Commerce, 2011-2013; executive director, Mid-Region Council of Governments, 2001-2009; candidate for lieutenant governor in Democratic primary, 2010; chief administrative officer and deputy chief administrative officer, city of Albuquerque, 1990-2001; legislative assistant for Sen. Jeff Bingaman, 1987-1990; deputy secretary, division director, other positions, Department of Transportation, 1985-87.
EDUCATION - Senior executive program, Harvard University school of government, 1991; master of public administration, University of New Mexico, 1986; bachelor’s degree in sociology, UNM, 1981.
ISSUES - Invest small portion of permanent fund money in New Mexico businesses, expand early childhood education, create water cabinet to coordinate state water policy, develop renewable energy industry, adopt regional approach to economic development.
WEBSITE - https://www.raelfornewmexico.com/
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Name - Alan Webber
AGE - 65
EXPERIENCE - Author, entrepreneur, business adviser-present; co-founder and former editor, Fast Company magazine, 1993-2003; managing editor and editorial director, Harvard Business Review, 1987-1993; senior research associate, Harvard Business School, 1981-1984; speech writer, adviser to Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, 1985-1986; special assistant to U.S. Transportation Secretary Neil Goldschmidt, 1978-1980; editorial page editor, Willamette Week, Oregon, 1977-1978; administrative assistant to Goldschmidt when he was Portland mayor and city commissioner, 1971-1977; writer, Oregon Times, 1970-1971.
EDUCATION - Bachelor’s degree, Amherst College, 1970; honorary degree, Boston Architectural College, 2012.
ISSUES - Increase school funding with 1 percent surtax on income over $200,000, cap and reduce carbon emissions to address climate change, create clean energy bank to finance renewable energy, repeal A-F school grading.
WEBSITE - https://www.alanfornm.com/
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