At the Republican Party Meet and Greet on Thursday evening at the party headquarters in the old Wranglers' restaurant location in Arenas Valley, Gov. Susana Martinez and other local and statewide Republican candidates has a chance to make their case for voters to choose them.

Ray Tavizon, candidate for Grant County Sheriff, touted his almost 30 years in law enforcement, and his dedication to making the area safer.

An audience member asked Tavizon if the department would fund officers to the police academy. "When he's in school, he's not on the street, so we prefer to hire those who have graduated from the academy."

Another questioner asked how the Sheriff's Department handles the requests from the small municipalities within the county that have their own police departments.

"We have asked to provide service to all of them, but they all want their own police departments," Tavizon replied. "We do quite often give them help."

Lucy Whitmarsh, Grant County Assessor candidate, also told the standing-room only crowd about her years of experience as an assessor.

Gov. Susana Martinez said that voters have a clear choice. "Do you want to continue the accomplishments that my administration has done without raising taxes or do you want the tax-and-spend policies of the other candidate?"

"I want to keep small businesses in the state," Martinez said. "The Legislature last year passed a bi-partisan jobs package. We have gone from third worst in the country in manufacturing to the best in the West. There are Democrats who are business-friendly. It's a piece we agree on, so let's do it.

"If I win, I am the governor of all residents of New Mexico," Martinez said. "Education is my passion. (Attorney General candidate Susan) Riedel and I know what it means when a student can't read. We want to focus dollars on making sure a student not pass to the next grade, unless he or she can read at grade level. If they are passed beyond their knowledge, they keep falling farther behind. That's why we're investing more than ever in education, and we have done it without raising taxes."

She said her administration has fought to bring businesses to small towns, not just urban areas. About the campaign, she said: "We have to fight as if we were behind. Everybody matters."

Diana Duran said it is an honor to serve as secretary of state. "I am the first Republican to hold the office since 1928," she said. "The only reason we were elected is because of what you do. Remember that Oct. 7 is the deadline for registration and is the first day of early voting. The general election is Nov. 4."

Martinez chimed in and noted that there were zero audit findings on Duran's elections.

Riedel said, as attorney general, she has the willingness to go after corrupt politicians. "We have to push them. I'm not afraid to take on those cases. I prosecuted the Doña Ana clerk and won. It doesn't matter if it's a Democrat, a Republican or an Independent. We have to take care of the problem. I know what's right for New Mexico. Governor Martinez needs an attorney general who has her back."

Rick Lopez, candidate for state treasurer, said the state has not had a Republican treasurer since 1948. "The treasurer that's there has been there for 14 years. I want to fill that office. I was taught to believe in a higher power and my mother taught us the value of education. I have 27 years of management and I worked with Sen. Pete Domenici. I want to help this governor move forward. We Republicans serve the people; the others serve themselves. It's not about the candidate, it's about you getting out to vote."

Martinez said the Permanent Fund is "our grandchildren's savings account. Thirty-eight percent of the state budget comes from oil and gas, but too many people want to grab that money now. It's for our children and grandchildren. We have put in reforms everywhere in the state without raising taxes."

New Mexico District 39 candidate John Zimmerman said he was "tired of educating our kids and sending them out of state. We need sustainable jobs. We need to wean ourselves from federal government funding. Education is key."

He also said it was "ludicrous" to give drivers' licenses to illegals. "That needs to stop," Zimmerman said. "If we take the House, we can do that. My mother taught me that if you want something, you get your rear up and out and get a job. I care what happens in this state. This is the best team of Republicans I've seen. Integrity means everything."

NM District 38 candidate Dianne Hamilton said if Zimmerman were elected, they would each sign on to the other's bills. "Large and small businesses go hand-in-hand with education. I also feel strongly about veterans. I am pushing a bill to provide post-traumatic stress disorder treatment to veterans. Western New Mexico University is partnering to provide training for social workers to do the treatment."

The comments ended and those attending had the opportunity individually to ask the candidates questions.