Republicans consider candidates

With the presidential primary campaigns gearing up, Republicans in eastern New Mexico are beginning to ponder their choices for candidates. But two of the leading Republicans for Curry County said no candidate has stood out yet.

Marcus Smith, the dean of Student Services at Clovis Community College and the Curry County Republican Party chair said he does not have a favorite now.

“I will be honest with you. I do not at this current time. I’m kind of seeing how it all shakes out. Because it’s a very loaded field,” he said.

Smith said because there are so many contenders, he is still determining what kind of chance Donald Trump has.

“I don’t know what kind of chance he has, honestly,” Smith said, adding that the Trump legal woes have not benefited his campaign.

Regardless, Smith said the economy is a top issue when deciding.

“We have to look at all aspects of our economy and how we start to help everybody recover from what we’ve been experiencing since 2020 COVID,” he said.

Marli Raney, the president of the Curry County Chamber of Commerce and the vice chair of the Republican Party for Curry County, said she also does not yet have a favorite.

So far, 11 Republican candidates, including former President Trump, are seeking the nomination.

Raney said she had previously supported Trump and is unsure how recent criminal charges might impact his chances for a second presidency.

“I don’t trust news,” she said. “ And I don’t watch too much of it either. So I honestly am not keeping up with that.”

“I think if he does run. I think he knows how to win an election for sure,” she said.

Raney said she does her research on the internet to learn about candidates and also talks with fellow Republicans to get their opinion and feedback on possible front runners in their party.

Raney said top issues for her include the Second Amendment, the pro-life movement, and reduced taxes.

“We want limited socialization programs,” she said. “Because everybody needs to work for what they’re going to get ... (A)s Republicans … we work through reduced taxes to stimulate our economy instead of the opposite,” she said.

Raney added that working with Smith and the Republican party has been beneficial.

“That has been really just very helpful in me having knowledge of how the government system works and in choosing candidates,” she said.

Smith said it won’t be much longer before things get exciting.

“This year, I will very much be paying attention to what’s being said and who kind of moves in that jockeying for position. I think it will get very interesting,” Smith said.