Print
Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 23 October 2013 23 October 2013

Sen. Howie Morales stands at the podium where he announced his candidacy for government of New Mexico. Behind him, his smiling wife, Dr. Teresa Arizaga-Morales, applauds his words. (Photo Courtesy of Tiffany Knauf)

New Mexico State Senator Howie Morales (D) District 28, announced that he is running for governor of New Mexico. He made the announcement at the elementary school he attended as a child—Sixth Street Elementary School in Silver City.

"I stand with all of you today to announce I want to be the 32nd governor of the great state of New Mexico," Morales said.

Morales made his announcement to an enthusiastic crowd of over 200 in the school cafeteria. Among those in attendance were Grant County's three Commissioners—Brett Kasten, Ron Hall, Gabriel Ramos—and two of Silver City's four Town Councilors—Cynthia Bettison and José Ray.

Morales lives in Silver City and completed his high school and college education in the town at Silver High School and Western New Mexico University, from where he received a Ph.D. in educational administration.

He has taught and been a coach in the Cobre School District and has most recently worked at Gila Regional Medical Center as a department director.

Rep. Bill McCamley, a Democrat representing Las Cruces, told those assembled that the four things they could do to help Morales' campaign were to sign a petition for him; donate time and money at the website morales4nm.com, register as a Democrat to be able to vote in the primary; and any and all donations were accepted.

On the website, Morales said he would attack the "hard issues, such as education reform, (and) ways to create greater economic opportunity, as well as how to bring back a government that the people can trust."

At his announcement, he said those gathered there were present because they all love New Mexico. He said he sought research into real education to protect educators and strengthen education for students.

Morales attacked the present administration as being more interested in politics than in education for students. He listed the vetoes by the present governor.

He joins two other Democrats, who have declared their candidacies for governor, and will be on the primary ballot—Attorney General Gary King and Sen. Linda Lopez, who represents Albuquerque.