CD2 candidates tout skillsets

Independent business owner Steve Jones, Republican Yvette Herrell and Democratic incumbent Xochitl Torres-Small are candidates for the Second Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Interviews were conducted by phone, with candidates asked the same questions on the spot. Multiple attempts to secure an interview with Torres-Small were unsuccessful.

Yvette Herrell

Q: What do you believe should be the role of the federal government?

The federal government’s role should be way more limited than it is now. I think we’ve moved away from the (original) responsibilities of the government in our lives, and we’ve seen such an influx of government involvement in every aspect — work, school, regulatory. There’s not an aspect of our lives that’s not touched by government, and we need to be looking to put more control of our lives and industries with the people.

What makes you the best qualified candidate for this seat?

My experience as not only a job creator and business owner, but a state representative for eight years and my involvement in the district. I believe I have a better feel of what’s important to our diverse communities and industries. Certainly, my business experience with the relationships I’ve built in the state and Washington, D.C. are very helpful.

What are your key concerns for eastern New Mexico?

We need to be looking at jump-starting our economy safely by protecting our ag industry from overbearing regulation issues. As we go south, we need to help our oil and gas industries. We know we can do more to help lighten the burden on our family farmers and ranchers, and give them the tools they need like a reliable and ready workforce. We need to make improvements to the guest worker program.

We need to improve our drought monitoring system so the reimbursements go back to our ranching families and ranching industries.

What concerns do you have about the pandemic in 2021?

I think the biggest concern we still have is getting our economy reopened safety. Once we start seeing more businesses opening and people going back to work we will see things turn around. We need to make sure there’s a safe and reliable vaccine. That’s a concern to many Americans, that’s a priority. I think hindsight is always 20/20 and New Mexico and other states will be better prepared if something like this happens in the future. I hope not, and I would never want something like that to happen, but we do have that experience now.

I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Communities should make determinations on when they can open their businesses and reintroduce kids to the classroom. We’re going to have to be dealing with those issues as we move into 2021.

What assurances could you provide that you will not simply be an obstructionist to the other party and a rubber stamp for yours?

I can look to my record as a state representative. I chaired the consumer and public affairs committee when Republicans had control. I have a voting record that shows I’ve worked across the aisle on a number of issues for New Mexicans. I’m definitely a supporter of President Trump, and I always have been, but my priority is to the people of the Second Congressional District. That (time in the House) gave me a lot of opportunities to build relationships. This job is about building relationships, not only with constituents but all members of Congress.

Please tell us something you support regarding President Trump.

I have been really pleased with a lot of things. I appreciate that he bolstered our funding for the border security. I appreciate that before the pandemic hit, we had the lowest unemployment we’ve seen in this nation for decades. I appreciate that he’s taken a strong stance on pro-life. I appreciate that he’s putting Americans first. I really appreciate the voice of the people being heard by the president of the United States. Energy independence is critical for New Mexico. He’s done a lot with Veterans Affairs internally and externally to make sure veterans have access to healthcare.

Please tell us something you support regarding former Vice President Biden

I’m not able to align myself with policy positions he’s taken as of late, and certainly not as vice president. We’ll certainly have to work to find common ground should he be president-elect. We’ll have to roll up our sleeves to find common ground solutions without shutting down industries like oil and gas. We’ve got to be able to educate on what our issues are with agriculture. We have 1% of the people feeding 100% of the population, so we have to find common-sense solutions.

Steve Jones

Q: What do you believe should be the role of the federal government?

I think it’s constitutionally dictated. It shouldn’t be any more or any less. The Constitution is pretty self-explanatory. A lot of people would like some things in the Constitution to be different, a lot of people would like to ignore them. They are what they are.

What makes you the best qualified candidate for this seat?

There’s nothing to compare between me and the other two candidates. I have years of experience solving problems. I’ve established companies all over the world. I have worked with small business administration. I’ve been a professor of accounting. I served in the military as a staff sergeant and was decorated for heroism. I have produced a television program for PBS. I could go on and on. However, part of the problem we have with the political system is the media are happy to endorse the concept that if you come out of the primary, you are a qualified candidate.

What are your key concerns for eastern New Mexico?

It’s not a singular issue separate from the rest of the state. We have the lowest graduation rate. We’re 48th in terms of academic achievement. Many of the children in New Mexico are born to teenagers.

We’re on the verge of creating a huge break between the pro-environment people and the pro-energy people. There’s already been a division working between them. They’re talking about getting away from carbon; that’s another way of saying there should be more regulations to tamp down the energy industry.

I’m anticipating that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be elected; that will cause on a national level an impact on energy production that will certainly affect Roosevelt County.

What concerns do you have about the pandemic in 2021?

I think it’s going to be ongoing. Even if, and I suspect we will have immunizations and good therapeutic treatments on Jan. 1, 2021, that’s got to work itself through 300 million Americans. The biggest effect has already taken place. We’ve got a dead man walking, thinking we have a strong economy. Small businesses constitute 80 percent of the commerce in New Mexico, and up to 60% have failed or will fail by Jan. 1, 2021. That’s going to have an impact on unemployment and we’re already one of the leading states. At the same time, COVID-19 will not be eradicated. And we still won’t have an agreement between Republicans and Democrats; they’re still going to be blaming each other.

What assurances could you provide that you will not simply be an obstructionist to the other party and a rubber stamp for yours?

I’m the opposite of that. My whole reason for running is to have infrastructure developed, create connections. I promise you I will probably be the worst absentee congressperson. I plan to spend my time developing incubators for businesses, apprenticeship programs, commercialization of the (U.S. Canada Mexico trade agreement). A lot of those are going to require help from staff members. It requires a hands-on person initiating these things, so I’ll probably have the worst attendance.

Please tell us something you support regarding President Trump.

I don’t like the man, so it’s hard to tell you what I support. Some of the specific things he said he would do, he did. There’s a lot I disagree with. He’s caustic; I could go on and on. He did keep the promises he made, whether I agreed with the promises or not.

Please tell us something you support regarding former Vice President Biden

Biden is a man with a substantial amount of experience. After 47 years, you pretty well know where he stands on the issues. If and when he will be elected, he would put oil on the troubled waters, so to speak. He is a man of heart; he is more compassionate.

— Compiled by Editor Kevin Wilson