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Candidates offer choice for
1st District Congressional race

Democratic candidates debate key issues, attempt to stand out at early forum

by DAVID J. BOSTON

If you are looking for variety, the race for the 1st Congressional District offers a buffet.

Candidates in attendance at the forum that was held on March 8 were Martin Heinrich, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Robert Pidcock and Rebecca Vigil-Giron.The candidates invited voters to visit their Web sites which can be found by following their links.

Heinrich said his platform is about change. At the forum he touted his achievements while on the Albuquerque City Council which including raising the minimum wage, reforming campaign ethics and addressing climate change.

"We fought for climate change on the local level because there was no leadership in Washington D.C.," Heinrich said. "They said we couldn't solve this problem at the local level but we passed the most progressive green building code in the country."

Grisham discussed her experience as the New Mexico secretary of Health and Aging and as the director of Aging. Grisham said getting the fiscal house in order will enable the United States to address the health care crisis, have a world-class education system and focus on economic development.

Pidcock graduated from the UNM Law School in 1989 after "doing all kinds of things for a living to put myself through law school."

"I'm the only one of the four of us here that hasn't most recently made his or her living in a political office," Pidcock said.

Pidcock said that going to Congress is about understanding government and economics and about making laws. Having an undergraduate degree in government, having a minor in economics and being a lawyer qualifies him as a good candidate for the 1st Congressional District, Pidcock said.

Vigil-Giron said she was born in Taos and has lived in New Mexico most of her life. She was the secretary of state from 1987 to 1990 and again from 1999 to 2006. She said her experience working with state and federal officials gives her an advantage over the other candidates in making changes in the U.S. Congress.

Vigil-Giron said she wants to bring New Mexico to Washington D.C.

Addressing the heath care crisis
Heinrich said Congress needs to focus on entrenched interests that have kept reform out of health care.

"If health care were a car we would want to sell it and buy a new car and start from scratch, but we don't have that luxury because we're driving down the highway at 65 miles per hour," Heinrich said.

Grisham said we cannot keep treating disease and we need to focus on prevention.

A universal reimbursement program would help stop competition among providers, Grisham said.

Pidcock said employers and employees need to contribute to the cost of health care and reduced premiums would lead to a “"base-line plan.”

Vigil-Giron said the most important issue is to help support health care, and working with other members of Congress will help to craft a workable and uniform health care system for citizens in the United States.

Position on the Iraq War
Heinrich said the United States should never have gone to war in Iraq, and Congress needs to set time limits in the appropriations bills.

Grisham said there has to be a declaration that the war is officially over, and the United States needs to rebuild credibility to help fight threats in the Middle East.

Pidcock said the United States needs to end the war today and can support the troops best by bringing them home.

Vigil-Giron said to pull out the troops as soon as possible, but being strategic is key because a sudden withdrawl of U.S. troops from Iraq could lead to chaos. The United States is building bases and completely leaving Iraq will never be possible, Vigil-Giron said.

Position on Immigration
Heinrich said undocumented immigrants should pay fines and be channeled toward the legal immigration system.

"A fence is more of a publicity stunt," Heinrich said.

Grisham said many industries in New Mexico profit from undocumented workers. To address immigration issues, legislation should focus on accountability of employers.

Pidcock said federal laws should be changed to reflect the desire of immigrants to come to the United States. He also said Arizona’s attempts to solve this problem---taking business licenses from businesses found to have undocumented workers---is a good start at addressing illegal immigration.

Pidcock said the fact that North American Free Trade Agreement has put farmers in Mexico out of work so they are unable to make a living should be considered in the immigration debate.

Vigil-Giron said securing our borders is important and the government needs to respect those who are already here.

The Democratic Women of Bernalillo County sponsored the forum and was moderated by New Mexico's Attorney General Gary King. King said this was the first debate of the season for this seat. Questions for the candidates were e-mailed in advance.

Written March 13, 2008

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