NONPARTISAN CANDIDATE GUIDE: 2018 NEW MEXICO SENATOR’S RACE

Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Martin Heinrich – Legal. Safe & legal without restrictions.

Gary Johnson – Legal. Personal aversion but recognizes as law of the land.

Mick Rich – Ban. Life begins at conception.

 

Campaign Finance: Require political ads to disclose largest funders? Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited corporate political donations?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Supported DISCLOSE Act of 2015 to do this. Overturn Citizens United through Democracy for All Amendment.

Gary Johnson – Yes. Transparency is the only campaign reform needed. Says corporations should be able “to contribute as much money as they want.”

Mick Rich – No position found.

 

Climate Change: Consider climate change a serious threat? Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases?

Martin Heinrich – Yes to both. Climate change is “devastating”—with “moral obligation to be responsible stewards of this earth.”

Gary Johnson – No. Says human activity is a contributing factor, but doesn’t support government role in regulating.

Mick Rich – Unclear. Mentions but not as urgent issue. Says Sandia Labs coal plant filter can solve CO₂ emissions.

 

Courts: Support Judge Kavanaugh nomination? [before recent allegations]

Martin Heinrich – No. Threatens healthcare, environmental protection, & workers’ rights.

Gary Johnson – Yes. Would “probably” vote to confirm.

Mick Rich – Yes. “Strong record of upholding our constitution & laws.”

 

Economy: Support Federal spending to promote the economy?

Martin Heinrich – Yes, particularly transportation infrastructure.

Gary Johnson – No. Cut government spending by 20%.

Mick Rich – Yes. Energy development & infrastructure repair.

 

Economy: Support Trump’s imposition of tariffs on China?

Martin Heinrich – No. Sledgehammer where need surgical approach.

Gary Johnson – No. Hurt US industries that need imports like solar.

Mick Rich – Yes. Current trade with China is not fair.

 

Education: Help parents send children to private schools with public money?

Martin Heinrich – No. “Privatization policies would be especially damaging to rural New Mexico”

Gary Johnson – Yes. Competition improves choices. “Why can’t we apply that to schools?”

Mick Rich – Yes. Supports “vouchers, savings accounts, & scholarship programs.”

 

Elections: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Require independent, bipartisan redistricting commissions.

Gary Johnson – No. Prefers term limits & selecting Senators by state legislators.

Mick Rich – No position found.

 

Environment: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)?

Martin Heinrich – No. EPA needed to protect health & well-being, & move to clean energy economy.

Gary Johnson – Unclear. Believes that the EPA has an important role to play.

Mick Rich – “Natural environment” is “fragile,” but businesses are overregulated.

 

Financial Regulation: Support cutbacks of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?

Martin Heinrich – No. Called for its continued funding & independence.

Gary Johnson – Yes. Scrap Dodd-Frank, the legislation that authorized the CFPB.

Mick Rich – Yes. Congratulated Trump for Dodd-Frank rollback.

 

Gay Marriage: Support gay marriage?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Early supporter.

Gary Johnson – Yes.

Mick Rich – No position found.

 

Gun Control: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Former NRA member, backed legislation to ban bump stocks & deny those on the federal no-fly list.

Gary Johnson – No. Says evidence doesn’t show that such laws make us safer—actually less safe.

Mick Rich – No. “Constitutional right.” Wouldn’t restrict semi-automatic weapons or silencers.

 

Healthcare: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Martin Heinrich – Support. Repeal would make rural hospitals close & tens of thousands lose coverage . Against Medicare work rules.

Gary Johnson – Repeal. Would repeal ACA & cut Medicare. Supports free-market approach to health coverage.

Mick Rich – Repeal. “Restore a free-market approach to health insurance.”

 

Healthcare: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. “1 in 5 women has relied on for… birth control & lifesaving cancer treatments.”

Gary Johnson – Unclear. But supports across-the-board federal funding cuts.

Mick Rich – No. “Should not receive any government funding.”

 

Immigration: Path to citizenship for “DACA” recipients or “Dreamers,” brought here as children?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Original supporter of DACA, backs “tough but fair path to earned citizenship.”

Gary Johnson – Unclear. Wants “immigrants to obtain work visas & move back & forth across border.”

Mick Rich – No. If want citizenship, “they must leave & apply like anyone else.”

 

Marijuana: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. “It’s time to legalize marijuana.”

Gary Johnson – Yes. Long-time advocate for legalization.

Mick Rich – Opposes legalizing recreational use.

 

Minimum Wage: Raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 /hr?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Raise to $15.

Gary Johnson – No. Eliminate federal minimum wage.

Mick Rich – “Remove all regulations that discourage hiring.”

 

Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Voted to reverse FCC’s repeal of net neutrality rules.

Gary Johnson – No. Government shouldn’t regulate.

Mick Rich – No position found.

 

President Trump: Response to his actions and policies?

Martin Heinrich – Generally a vocal opponent. Has voted 26% in support of his policies.

Gary Johnson – Criticizes immigration & trade stands. His 2016 supporters exceeded Trump margin in enough key states to have potentially changed outcome.

Mick Rich – “Trump’s words make people nervous, but his actions aren’t always bad” When [he] is good for the state, I’m good with him.”

 

Privatization: Support full or partial privatization of Social Security?

Martin Heinrich – No. Signed Social Security Protectors Pledge.

Gary Johnson – Yes. Some or all of Social Security should be privatized.

Mick Rich – No position found.

 

Renewable Energy: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Championed renewable investments to “create thousands of new jobs.”

Gary Johnson – No. Proposes “a free market approach,” with technological innovation as only driver.

Mick Rich – No. Would only support renewable energy without government subsidies.

 

Student Debt: Refinance student loans at lower rates, by increasing high earner taxes (Elizabeth Warren bill)? Increase aid, like Pell Grants?

Martin Heinrich – Yes. Co-sponsored Warren bill in 2017. Co-sponsored bill to “address the significant loss in value of Pell Grants,”

Gary Johnson – Supported elimination of all student loans, though would explore reduced interest. Called for Pell Grants cuts.

Mick Rich – No position on Warren bill. Consolidate income-contingent loans. Let Pell grants cover job training.

 

Taxes: Support President Trump’s tax cuts?

Martin Heinrich – No. Does little for working families.

Gary Johnson – Yes. But should have also cut spending.

Mick Rich – Yes. “Stimulated investment & job creation.

 

Voting Rights: Support stricter voting rules like photo ID?

Martin Heinrich – No. Disproportionately affect minority communities.

Gary Johnson – No. Mostly about “restricting Hispanic voters.”

Mick Rich – No position found.