Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

The 2017 Make America Great Again dinner was hosted by the Republican Party of Grant County and the Federated Republic Women of Grant County. It took place at the Western New Mexico University cafeteria on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
A tall cut out standing photo of President Donald Trump, courtesy of Frost McGahey, drew people for selfies. 

Helen Nordell and Wanda Garcia created the decorations, and many donated door prizes and silent auction items.

The event opened with the Marine Corps League Color Guard presenting the colors. RPGC chairman Don Luhrsen led the Pledge of Allegiance and Harry Pecotte offered the invocation.

Pastor Joseph Gros filled the position of Master of Ceremonies, giving acknowledgements and making introductions.

Luhrsen presented the Republican of the Year Award to Grant County Commissioner Billy Billings and the Republican Woman of the Year Award to McGahey.

Attendees had a choice of mustard pork loin or chicken Cordon Bleu for dinner.

The special speakers for the evening were those who have declared their candidacy for state and national positions to be voted on in 2018.

William Perkins, running for Sixth Judicial District Court judge, said his name was one of two sent to the governor for appointment to the position vacated by former Judge Henry Quintero. "The other party was chosen. My campaign promise to you is that I will follow the law. My core values include that we are here to do our part and pull our own weight. Two, to show more gratitude and optimism, especially gratitude to those serving in uniform right now, serving because it's the right thing to do. Gratitude to God for letting me live in the greatest country on Earth. I am out to fulfill other folk's needs."

Stephen French, who was appointed last year to the New Mexico Court of Appeals, seeks to retain his seat. "I'm a glass half full kind of guy. I lost in the election to a Hispanic female, but in the process, I set a white male vote record, and lost by the least number of votes ever. We need to get politics out of judicial elections. Elections matter. This year, we are on the precipice of doing something great. With two other Republicans on the Court of Appeals, we, for the first time in the history of the state, half of the judges are Republican."

"People in the Legislature work hard to pass laws," French said. "The governor executes the laws, and the courts interpret those laws. The Court of Appeals has a greater influence for you than the legislators or governor. We make decisions on everything. Please help us."

Robert Lung, represented Chris Mathys, who has declared his candidacy for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 5. Mathys was unable to attend because of a death in the family.

"I have known Chris for more than 40 years," Lung said. "Chris was so tired of Republicans who were embarrassed to tell people they're Republicans, he decided to run. He is a single father, whose son is now working on an MBA. The word conservative tells you something. He believes in God, country and family. He is a strict constitutionalist. Chris has the same principles today that he had as a city councilman in Roswell. He told me: 'I have waited a long time for a president like this one.' We stand for America."

Joseph Bizzell has also declared that he is running for the PRC, District 5. "My values are honor, courage and commitment. The PRC is one of the most important elected positions. It manages a lot of your everday lives. Utilities CEOs worry about their stockholders. The Public Regulation Commissioners' focus is to the rate payers and the utilities to make sure their costs are met and that they are profitable.

"We, as commissioners, have to make sure the utilities are accountable," Bizzell said. "I have a plan to make rates go down, while making sure the utilities are doing maintenance on the infrastructure. The PRC also regulates fire marshals. The PRC is not the final rule. By law, utilities have to cover their costs, and they can appeal. One utility made $116 million profits. The utility asked for a 2.9 percent rate increase, and the PRC gave them 9 percent. They raised their dividends. It didn't go to infrastructure. I want to make sure utilities are accountable."

Kelly Zunie, from Zuni, NM, is running for lieutenant governor. "I am very proud to be from Zuni. I am good at engaging people. We're not Albuquerque or Santa Fe. There is more to New Mexico than that. And we have a voice."

She said she believes in three principles—faith, family and freedom. "I cannot walk without God's guidance. The family is disintegrating. How many people now can talk to their kids or grandkids eye-to-eye? We can't until we change our thought process to something positive, with gratitude. Freedom—I believe we live in the 'most free' nation on the planet. I, as a Native American woman, can stand before you and ask for your vote. I am dead serious. This position is being the diplomat to other states, counties and to cities and villages, like the Silver Cities and Demings."

"We have to support Dispatch, fire, police and the sheriff," Zunie continued. "When you need them, they are there. Of course, we have to support our military.

"My priority for New Mexico is to fix family," she said. "I come from an impoverished area. We have to teach principles. It is our job to teach common sense. I wouldn't be standing here, if our ancestors weren't conservatives. Our ancestors would turn over in their graves. Look at the New Mexico Pledge to the flag. What do we do? We put our hand out like this—gimme, gimme. It's all about accountability."

Yvette Herrell said she has wanted to run for Congressional District 2. "I have a passion for people. We must do our best and be our best. I stand for God, life, family, guns and business. I will not stray from them. I will stand against anyone who fights me on these issues. I am touched by our veterans and their military service. Thank God they haven't taken a knee on the battlefield. Policy and people are taken over by politics. People are ready for their representation to stand for them and their rights. There are only 20 Republican women in the U.S. House of Representatives. I want to be another one. We haven't seen our true potential in New Mexico. Government and regulations are hurting us. I want to go to Washington, D.C. to serve you."

Mick Rich said: "I am running for the U.S. Senate against Martin Heinrich. I am a contractor and engineer. Together we will retire Heinrich. I love New Mexico and the people who make up New Mexico. I have seen the best of New Mexico, which needs to reach its potential. We have among the highest unemployment rate. We are the only state in the Southwest to be losing population, because our young people are leaving."

He alleged that Heinrich ignores the military bases, has crushed the entrepreneurial spirit and was AWOL when the F-22s were sent to Arizona. "Our New Mexico National Guard has no airplanes. He did not address the broken elevators at Carlsbad Caverns. We don't need another career politician. We need people with real world experience who can get the job done."

"Three things," Rich said. "One, our government labs and military bases will be successful in their mission and funding. Two, I will support rural New Mexico. Three, I will work to get rid of burdensome regulations.
"I will be your advocate in Washington," he continued, "and I will serve not more than two terms. I will focus on your jobs, your opportunities and your futures. I'm not doing this to look pretty. I'm doing it because it is a winnable race."

Court of Appeals Judge Emil Kiehne said he was in day 5 on the job, having been recently appointed. "I was born in Silver City, raised in Valencia, went to Harvard, then to Spain to work, then I came home. Last month, Governor Susana Martinez appointed me to the Court of Appeals. My view of the law is that a judge should not add or subtract a single word to or from the Constitution."

Rebecca Dow, New Mexico District 38 representative, said: "I owe all of you a big thank you. I won by a 10 percent margin. I am running for re-election. I have been in office nine months, starting with the 60-day session this year. 1400 bills were presented in the House and 1400 in the Senate. Then we had a special session, so the interim committees started late. I am one of two Republicans who won in 14 open seats."

She said one progressive lawmaker alone presented 27 bills, and she read portions of them. "In southern New Mexico, we lost six seats. We need to get them back. Twenty-nine bills were presented on referencing firearms. Several were written and funded by outside special interest groups."

"What are my principles?" Dow asked and answered. "Personal responsibility and family values. As Republicans, we believe the United States of America is great among nations, as unique and free people. Our Constitution is our agreement between the government and the people. Our political and economic freedom cannot be divided. I believe government is accountable to us. To make New Mexico great, we have to take power from unaccountable bureaucrats. They do not represent us. Get rid of punitive regulations, of conflicting regulations and layers of bureaucracies. Parents, you are your children's experts. We are the party of Yes, hope and compassion."

She said she is reminded of Deuteronomy 6, to do what is right and what is good. "We can't forget where we come from. There is hope. Santa Fe defeated the sugar tax, and Albuquerque defeated the sick leave. People are realizing we have to get away from the progressives. We lost six seats in southern New Mexico by fewer than 2,000 votes altogether. We are looking for candidates to run. The Democrats have outraised Republicans 5-to-1 in the latest financial reports. We have to do better."

Luhrsen asked for prayers for the victims of hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, of fires in California and for those involved in tragedies.

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