But outside of that comfort zone fresh polling shows a political storm rages over governance of New Mexico as well as the nation, results that should shrink those oversized egos that grow with the nourishment provided within the Roundhouse bubble.
The latest polling reveals much more public skepticism of Santa Fe's political actors than years past. The Garrity Perception Survey, conducted during the current legislative session (Feb. 3-16) by state polling firm Research and Polling, shows only 19 percent of the public "trust" state government officials
From Tom Garrity, whose PR firm commissions the annual survey:
The findings show that trust of state and federal government officials is at a record low and distrust is at an all-time high. Only 17 percent of New Mexico residents trust federal government officials and 19 percent trust state government officials. Trust in Federal government has been low since the inaugural 2011 survey, ranging from 14 percent in 2013 to 29 percent in 2020. The current sentiment about the federal government (17 percent trust) is likely driven by the fallout from the presidential leadership transition, DOGE and mass layoffs at federal agencies. The percentage of residents who distrust state government has risen from 35% in 2020 to 51% currently. The impacts of the legislative session may be a reason why residents feel this way.
The marked decline in trust in state government leaders since 2020 comes in the aftermath of the lengthy COVID shutdown, a continued rise in crime and homelessness, sensational child abuse cases, disappointment in the performance of public schools and a significant escalation in the the cost of living.
More recently the legislature and governor have taken hits over their inability to craft legislation to address violent and juvenile crime.
ANOTHER REASON
The low trust in both state and federal government officials is a sign of the times but for state government to be hitting such lows absent any major scandal and a Governor who is off her peak approval ratings but not dramatically, is a bit surprising.
There could be another reason for the crash in trust in Santa Fe. Garrity says:
Knowing that government is the largest employer in the state, it was surprising that 51 percent of residents feel that government is trying to do too many things.
Doing too many things and not doing enough of them right.
Now those fawning staffers and lobbyists will need to double down on their stroking of lawmakers as they prepare them for a return to the real world after 60 days in the comfort zone.
This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.