Elaine Sena Cortez

Progressives dominate the state's agenda but New Mexico has hardly moved the needle on the myriad of social woes that plague the state. All the while Republicans have lost ground as we blogged about Tuesday. Now comes a damning indictment of the progressives from soon-to-be state Rep. Elaine Sena Cortez of Hobbs who won the Republican primary in House District 62 and has no Democratic opposition in November. Here's her column:

Our governor and the progressive majorities in the state Legislature don’t appear to be interested in offering workable solutions at a time when our state is facing the worst violent crime rate in the country; our public schools are consistently ranked last for student success; the crisis along our southern border has created a fentanyl epidemic that is killing too many New Mexicans; generational poverty threatens the long-term future of our families; and abused and neglected children are failing to receive the protection they deserve. I believe progressive Democrats are wholly responsible for these problems since they have controlled the Legislature and the governor’s office for the last six years, yet they want to talk about one issue: abortion. 

There is something fundamentally wrong when the party charged with leading our state refuses to address the critical issues facing our state but has no reluctance to base their quest for political power almost solely on the backs of the unborn. For far too long, Republican candidates have stayed silent regarding abortion and have hesitated to engage their progressive opponents on this sensitive issue. In turn, this silence has permitted progressives to define Republicans as being anti-women or not caring about women’s health care issues. 

Unfortunately, this false narrative perpetuated by progressives has allowed them to take total control of the state and enact a devastating agenda that has made our state unrecognizable. Abortion is an issue that requires real conversation: Should there be restrictions around viability? Should parents be notified if their minor child has an abortion? Should women be given all the information about available resources when making tough pregnancy-related decisions? Should taxpayers have to pay for something with which they morally disagree? Should New Mexico taxpayers be footing the bill for out-of-state residents to obtain abortions here? The repeal of Roe v. Wade returned these and other policy questions to the states. 

ONE TRICK PONIES

Progressive Democrat lawmakers, however, have refused to consider any of these important questions. As a result, they have made New Mexico an abortion capital of the U.S. Progressive Democrats have become one-trick political ponies, touting abortion every chance they get, so they don’t have to address the other crises in our state. 

If New Mexico voters continue to choose progressive candidates this November, then they have no excuse to complain about our failing schools, our neighborhoods becoming crime battlegrounds, our children suffering abuse and neglect, our crumbling health care system and opportunities for our kids and grandkids disappearing. They will have proven that their all-abortion, all-the-time strategy is all that’s needed to maintain their failed leadership. Our state cannot afford a Democratic-controlled Legislature that continues turning a blind eye to every issue except abortion. It is time to have real discussions about the issues facing our state, all of them. 

OUR THOUGHTS

Sena Cortez effectively indicts the prevailing powers but what she and Republicans would do differently and in a manner that finds support in a mainly nonconservative electorate remains on the table. 

Also, her call for a "real conversation" on abortion bypasses the fact that an overwhelming majority of New Mexicans are not interested in further discussing abortion. They are pro-choice and supportive of the status quo. 

The conversation needed on abortion is within the confines of the Republican party and how it proceeds to shed itself of a strident opposition that has made possible the "one trick pony" politics that have been so effective for Democrats at the ballot box. And not so effective in governing mode. We'd be interested in hearing more on that from Sena Cortez but her approach to abortion seems unyielding and hyperbolic, the same characteristics that have chased voters here away from the GOP.

Still, Sena Cortez does confront the core questions that faces Santa Fe: 

How can billions of dollars in excess revenue not be making a major difference in the quality of life of so many New Mexicans and where is the accountability?

Sena Cortez is a business consultant and holds a doctorate degree in business administration from the University of the Southwest in Hobbs where she also teaches.

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.