Issues

New Mexico has everything it needs to thrive — strong people, rich resources, and deep community roots. Steve Lanier’s plan focuses on restoring opportunity, safety, and trust across our state.

Each section below outlines Steve’s priorities for creating jobs, improving schools, and protecting the values that make New Mexico home.

Jobs & the Economy

New Mexico has incredible potential, but too many communities are still struggling with low wages, limited opportunities, and slow economic growth. To build a stronger future, the state must focus on policies that create jobs, support small businesses, and encourage local industry growth. Economic development isn't just about numbers; it's about giving people the chance to succeed and improve their lives. Steve will:

    • Reduce state income and business taxes to put more money in the pockets of hardworking New Mexicans.

    • Cut red tape to attract manufacturing, energy, and tech investments, especially in rural counties.

    • Supporting small businesses through tax reform and workforce development, including apprenticeship and trade programs.

    • Partnering with colleges and trade schools to align education with the needs of employers and ensure students are prepared for the job market.

    • Utilize New Mexico’s natural resources by fixing the mismanagement of our oil, gas, and rare earth mineral production.

    • Reduce the cost of living by lowering burdens that raise everyday prices: regulations, taxes, and energy costs.

Education

We have the responsibility and tools to build strong education systems that serve every student. By focusing on local needs and making informed investments, we can improve outcomes, create more opportunities, and prepare the next generation for success. Steve’s priorities will include:

    • Promoting parental involvement and local control by ensuring families and the local school districts direct their spending and curriculum.

    • Banning political indoctrination in classrooms by enforcing curriculum transparency, protecting academic neutrality, and ensuring that education stays focused on knowledge, not ideology.

    • School choice is a parent's decision, and the money should travel with the student

    • Using federal education grants to expand early learning programs, literacy support, and services for students facing academic challenges.

    • Enhancing career and technical education by partnering with local employers and utilizing federal workforce funding to prepare students for real jobs.

    • Supporting teachers through training programs, mentorship, and performance-based rewards set by the parents and local school district.

Crime & Public Safety

New Mexico is experiencing a public safety crisis. Violent crime rates are among the highest in the nation, and too many communities feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods. Families, businesses, and law enforcement are all impacted by a system that is not working. It is time for the state to take decisive action and restore safety and accountability. Steve will:

    • Support law enforcement agencies with funding for equipment, training, and personnel to ensure they can respond effectively and build trust within the communities they serve.

    • Combat fentanyl and drug trafficking with tougher penalties and expanded interdiction efforts.

    • End the revolving door of justice by reforming bail laws and holding repeat offenders accountable.

    • Expanding crime prevention programs that prioritize youth involvement, mental health services, and local intervention strategies.

Border Security

A secure border is essential to the safety and stability of New Mexico. When the border is left vulnerable, communities face increased threats from drug trafficking, organized crime, and human smuggling. Ranchers, law enforcement officers, and families living near the border feel the impact every day. New Mexico must take action to protect its people and restore control. Steve will lead by:

    • Deploying state law enforcement and National Guard units to monitor and secure high-risk border zones.

    • Investing in state-level surveillance infrastructure, including drones, cameras, and sensor networks, to detect and deter criminal activity.

    • Building and maintaining physical barriers where appropriate, utilizing national funds and partnerships to reduce the already heavy burden on New Mexicans.

    • Establishing interstate compacts to coordinate border security efforts with neighboring states, share intelligence, and pool resources.

    • Establishing rapid-response teams to handle breaches, smuggling operations, and cartel activity immediately.

Government Accountability

Trust in government is the foundation of a healthy democracy. When citizens lose faith in their leaders and institutions, everything from public safety to economic growth suffers. That is why accountability in state government is essential. We must ensure transparency, ethical conduct, and responsible use of public funds. My administration will:

    • Support independent audits that investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in state operations.

    • Enforce transparency laws that ensure taxpayers know their taxes are spent wisely and appropriately.  

    • Protect constitutional rights to ensure the people’s rights are never violated and that no agency exceeds its authority.

Energy & Natural Resources

Energy policy is one of the most important tools New Mexico can use to shape its future. It affects job creation, infrastructure development, public health, and environmental protection. With abundant natural resources and growing potential in renewables, New Mexico has a unique opportunity to lead. By setting clear priorities and making smart decisions, the state can turn its energy strengths into lasting benefits for its people. Key actions include:

    • Defend oil and gas jobs from overregulation and federal interference.  

    • Support responsible development of clean energy, including nuclear and fusion innovation.  

    • Ensure water access and infrastructure for rural and agricultural communities.

Parental Rights

Parents are the first and most vital influence in a child’s life. When the government oversteps or ignores the role of families, trust diminishes and children suffer. Protecting parental rights is crucial for maintaining freedom, strengthening communities, and ensuring that education and healthcare reflect the values of the people they serve. Steve will defend parents' rights by:

    • Ensuring that parents have full access to their children’s educational records, curriculum materials, and classroom policies.

    • Ban schools from bypassing parental consent on medical, social, or ideological issues. 

    • Ensure transparency and accountability in all school policies and expenditures.

    • Creating clear pathways for parents to raise concerns and participate in school governance

    • Defending the right of families to direct their children’s moral, religious, and cultural development without interference

Rural Revitalization

Rural communities are the heart of New Mexico. They produce our food, fuel our economy, and preserve the values that make our state strong. However, for too long, rural areas have been neglected in favor of urban growth. It is time for state leaders to invest in rural New Mexico and ensure that every community has the opportunity to thrive. Key priorities include:

    • Expand broadband, healthcare access, and infrastructure in underserved counties.

    • Support agriculture and ranching through water rights protection and market access.

    • Strengthening rural schools and workforce programs to prepare young people for good jobs and encourage them to stay in their communities.

    • Promoting small business development through local investment, technical assistance, and access to capital

    • Creating a dedicated office to ensure rural voices are heard in state government and included in policy decisions

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