Editor:

After reading Paul Gessing's "Arizona Policy Runs Circles Around New Mexico" opinion piece, The Beat, June 17, 2025, explaining Arizona's obvious population growth and economic advancements over The Land of Enchantment, it wasn't too difficult to figure out why.

For instance, Arizona's population is reported to be 7.6 million. New Mexico's is around 2.1 million people — 5.5 million less. Arizona had an economic GNP of $508 billion in 2023. NM recorded $113 billion 2024 — nearly $400 billion less.

Even though New Mexico became a state before Arizona, and both are next door neighbors, and both are blessed with an abundance of natural resources, the distinguishing factor seems to be decidedly different political and governing policies.

New Mexico has an established history of mainly supporting Democratic Party ideologies. Arizona, not so much, even though Blue governors and state representatives have served in office.

Today, Arizona has a Democrat governor, two Democrat U.S. senators and three of nine U.S. representatives are Democrat. The Democrat representative from Dist. 7 recently passed away. A special primary election will be held on July 15, and a general election on Sept. 23 will decide his replacement.

Arizona's state Senate currently consists of 17 Senate Republicans and 13 Democrats. The House has 33 Republicans and 27 Democrats. Total Republican legislative members out number Democrats 50 to 40 — 10 members.

New Mexico also has a Democrat governor, two Democrat U.S. senators and three Democrat representatives. There are no Republicans in either the U.S. Senate or House.

New Mexico's Senate has 26 Democrats and 16 Republicans. NM House has 44 Democrats and 26 Republicans.

If I did the math correctly, New Mexico's legislative Democrats have a total of 70 members. Republicans number 42. A 28-member difference favoring Democrats.

Little wonder Republican influence in New Mexico has an uphill struggle. Which might explain, at least partially, why the state is substantially lagging behind its sister state to the west.

Mike Bibb

Safford, AZ