At left, Lt. Gov. John Sanchez speaks to supporters at the Republican party headquarters.

Above, Candidates, back row, from left, Lucy Whitmarsh (mostly concealed), Lt. Gov. Sanchez, John Zimmerman, and front row, from left, Dianne Hamilton, Ray Tavizon, and Aubrey Dunn, pose for a group photo.

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Lt. Gov. John Sanchez said he has Democrats telling him thank you for balancing the budget and for working with the legislators. "They are telling me to continue to fight for better days for New Mexico."

"I'm in this race because I love my state," Sanchez said. "I'm a businessman and we have two kids. I have skin in the game."

He said: "The only poll that counts is tomorrow when the votes are counted. We want to make sure everyone in the state wins."

He introduced land commissioner candidate, Aubrey Dunn, who was traveling with Sanchez.

"The land office is very important to New Mexico," Dunn said. "It brought in over $8 million in the past year. It is one-third of the education budget. We need someone to stand with agriculture and ranching."

He said he wanted to refute rumors. "I'm not going to give away federal lands. I'm not going to do away with hunting."

"The biggest danger to farmers and ranchers is if someone finds an endangered species on their land," Dunn said. "The real goal of these groups is not to protect the species, but to get us off our land."

He noted that polls had shown him in the lead, but that his opponent's campaign has been pounding him for the past four days.

Sanchez introduced District 38 Rep. Dianne Hamilton: "We can count on Dianne for standing up for New Mexico."

Hamilton said every year bills come up to take money out of the Permanent Fund. "If we keep building it, we can live on the interest."

She said the best thing about Sanchez is his open-door policy. "You go to his office, and if he's there, he will meet with you."

John Zimmerman, House District 39 candidate, said he would offer two bills as soon as he arrived in Santa Fe. The first would repeal passing children out of third grade, if they couldn't read, and the second would repeal drivers' licenses for illegals.

"I want an aura in New Mexico that creates jobs," Zimmerman said. "We can't because the state is too business unfriendly. I will stop ridiculous environmental regulations."

He noted that New Mexico and Arizona had entered the union in the same year–1912, but New Mexico had not grown at the same pace as Arizona, because New Mexico is not friendly to business.

"I have something in common with John (Sanchez)," Zimmerman said. "We both grew up in large families with a single parent. I know how to do without and to be hungry."

Grant County Sheriff candidate Ray Tavizon said: "The campaign has been a long ride. I thank everyone who has worked hard for me. When I take over the office, I won't let environmentalists take land from ranchers."

Lucy Whitmarsh, candidate for assessor, said she is running because she is very qualified and loves the work. "I want to maintain a better climate and stability in the county finances in the assessor's office. Although I can't make policy, I can try to help with policies that are friendly to economic development. One of my concerns about land issues in New Mexico is that the state is disproportionately federal land. What if the federal government stops making the (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) payments to counties each year?"

Sanchez put in a plug for Congressman Steve Pearce. "He and I have the same values, although I live in District 1."

Linda Pecotte, Republican Party of Grant County chairwoman, thanked the volunteers who have put in hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours, "but reports tell us that early voting and absentee voting is down. We need to make sure those who requested absentee ballots return them on time."

Jim Zawacki, Silver City resident and veteran, invited those attending the event to come to Fort Bayard on Veterans' Day, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. "We would love to see you support veterans and those in harm's way."