Voters Speak To The Attending Candidates In A Public Setting
GRANTS, N.M. — Local residents gathered at Fire and Ice Park on the afternoon of October 4 for a Republican candidate event designed to give the community an open forum to meet, listen to, and question the candidates.
This slate of candidates included US Senate Candidate Larry Marker, NM Gubernational Candidate Gregg Hull, NM SOS Candidate Ramona Goolsby, NM House District 6 Candidate Paul Spencer, Cibola County Sheriff Candidate Aaron Baca, and Magistrate Court Judge Candidate Robert Windhorst.
Grants City Councilmen George Garcia and Fred Rodarte, the organizers for this event, emphasized the unique value of holding the gathering in an open, public setting where voters could engage directly with the candidates. “We think that you should have an opportunity to see the candidates,” George Garcia said, “and the candidates… have an opportunity to speak to you in the open… where you could ask them the tough questions that we all have.” Garcia noted, “We’re glad they made the trip out here. It’s hard to get candidates to come to Grants, Cibola County, but we’re glad that they [have] shown up.”
US Senate Candidate
Larry Marker highlighted a growing national crisis, pointing out that the federal government is too big and is running 40 trillion dollars in debt while continuing to spend money through a 1.9 trillion dollar deficit.
He rejects the idea of raising taxes to cover the gap. “What we need to do is we need to relive the regulatory program on the businesses that we have right now,” Marker explained. “The deferral regulatory burden, especially. We need to reduce that regulatory version. We need to put people back to work, and instead of increasing taxes, we need to increase the tax base.” To revitalize the state, Marker introduced an expanded economic vision, declaring, “Drill, baby drill. Dig, baby, dig. Grow, baby, grow.”
While acknowledging the importance of oil and gas, Marker pushed to reopen long-dormant copper and coal mines. “We need to quit shutting businesses down for the sake of… radical environmentalism, that actually is proven to be wrong anyway,” he argued.
He detailed that while the federal government is New Mexico’s top contributor to Gross Domestic Product, the real key to saving dying small towns is shifting to the industries that carry the greatest local economic impact. “The small towns of New Mexico are dying,” Marker said. “The reason they are is because we’re focused on industries that do not have the greatest economic impact. That’s all we need to focus on, and that’s… what’s going to get our small towns healthy again [and] thriving.”
Marker called on voters to help him become the first Republican elected to the U.S. Senate from New Mexico since Pete Domenici left office on 2009, promising absolute transparency and personal accountability. “I will be your voice in Washington, D.C., I will be accountable,” Marker promised. “When I get to Washington, D.C. I’m going to do what I say I’m going to do.”
He added that the entire ticket is working as hard as possible from Las Cruces to Santa Fe to win their votes, saying, “You think we’re working hard now? Wait till you see us after November 3rd,” noting that the work really starts once they’re elected.
NM Governor Candidate “We are so glad to be here,” Greg Hull said, emphasizing the importance of visiting rural communities.
Hull recalled becoming the mayor of Rio Rancho 12 years ago and facing skepticism: “The thought process was, you’re just one of the big municipalities. You don’t care about the little guys.” He centered that perception by sharing his background: “I come from that little guy background, the guy that’s had to bootstrap his way up through life… and worked every moment of it.” He emphasized that he understood the struggle for resources and wanted to show small communities that he was there to support them.
“In just 30 days, we will decide who the next governor of the state of New Mexico will be,” Hull said, “and I am asking you to please make your decision for Greg Hull for governor, because we’re going to turn this state for the better.”
He addressed issues such as poor education outcomes, lack of public safety, limited economic development, rampant drug use, and neglected behavioral health. He explained that as mayor of Rio Rancho, he tackled these problems locally by focusing on solutions. “We organized our resources, we focused our energy, and we became one of the most recognized communities in the country right here in New Mexico.”
Hull criticized the “one size fits all” approach from Santa Fe, explaining that each of New Mexico’s 106 unique communities and 33 counties requires tailored solutions. He pointed out that, “Grants is very different than many of the other communities. So, you can’t treat Grants like Rio Rancho, and you can’t treat Grants like Taos.” He pledged to bring his experience to the governor’s office to work directly with local leaders on issues such as water, public safety, behavioral health, drug addiction, and education.
“We have to focus on getting everybody out to vote,” Hull urged. “We have to get our message out. We cannot sit this one out.” He encourages the use of the Secretary of State’s website to review and download sample ballots, noting that early voting would begin October 6 and expand to more polling locations on October 12.
“By improving public safety, education, infrastructure, and overall quality of life, we can change our lives for the better,” Hull said. “I have a plan because I have experience, and experience matters.” He promised to bring that experience to the Roudhouse for all New Mexicans, including the people of Grants.
NM SOS Candidate
Ramona Goolsby explained that she was a rancher for 40 years, a medical provider/nurse practitioner for about 30 years, and was in the Army Nurse Corps for five years during Bosnia and 9/11.
“So, I understand accuracy and the importance of keeping records straight,” Goolsby said, regarding her time in agribusiness. Referring to her time in the army, she said, “And I understand mission planning and follow through.”
Goolsby explained, “We want to make sure our elections are fair. We have accountability and transparency. And we already have plans in place to get that done.”
NM House District 6
Paul Spencer urged voters to stand firm on constitutional values and liberties, warning against major institutions. “There are many of those who want to abolish the Senate. They want to abolish the presidency. They want to abolish the courts,” Spencer said.
He pointed to the 2026 election cycle and efforts to shut down local prisons, telling voters, “Follow the money. Follow the records. Follow the votes. And that will tell you who they stand for.”
Spencer said, “When we go to the polls… remember that. Remember, all politics are local. And that’s the most important level of government that there is, so that your voice is heard.”
Cibola Country Sheriff Candidate
Aaron Baca shared his background as a Grants High School graduate, and Gulf War veteran who served in the Air Force, a former Hoover Dam police officer, and a veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
After returning home to work for the Grants Police Department for the past year an a half, Baca explained that he chose to enter the election after listening to local officers and deputies who seemed unhappy with the sheriff’s current administration.
“It seemed like they weren’t real happy with the sheriffs current administration, “Baca said. “So I just kind of kept my mouth shut, and… put my ear to the ground, [to[ figure out what’s going on with them. [I] figured I’d throw my name in the hat, and here we are.”
Baca noted that he is the only candidate running against current Sheriff Larry Diaz.
Magistrate Court Judge Candidate
Robert Windhorst spoke, highlighting his two terms as a Cibola County Commissioner, his career as a business owner and realtor, and his academic background in political science.
“If you elect me as Magistrate Court Judge for division two… I will work for you,” Windhorst promised. “I will put in the time and I will do everything I can to be balanced and fair. And to make sure that justice prevails [in] everything that I do.”