From New Mexico to the White House: What Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Failures Mean for Kamala Harris

According to Krwg, Since President Biden exited the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris has been notably vague about her policy positions. While some areas, such as abortion, are clearly defined, her stance on other issues remains unclear. Occasionally, she has made specific proposals, such as offering $25,000 payments to first-time homebuyers and not taxing tips.

However, one way to gauge a candidate’s policy direction is by examining their associations. At the recent Democratic National Convention, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham received a prime-time speaking slot. This association raises concerns about Kamala Harris’s judgment, given Lujan Grisham’s record in New Mexico. The Harris/Walz campaign’s alignment with Lujan Grisham suggests a commitment to a far-left agenda, potentially detrimental to the nation, akin to the policies Lujan Grisham has implemented in New Mexico.

Despite New Mexico’s oil and gas industry generating a staggering $15.2 billion in FY 2023—about 50% more than the state’s entire general fund budget—Governor Lujan Grisham’s administration has been marked by significant failures. Here are some notable issues under her leadership since taking office in 2019:

1. Education Crisis: New Mexico’s education system has deteriorated, ranking 52nd nationwide according to the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP). Despite substantial funding, the state’s educational outcomes and children’s well-being are among the worst in the nation, as reflected in Annie E. Casey’s annual Kids Count report.
2. Second Amendment Controversies: Lujan Grisham’s attempt to impose a gun ban in Albuquerque blatantly disregarded the 2nd Amendment, a move that was quickly rebuffed by the courts and criticized by anti-gun activists like David Hogg.
3. COVID-19 Policies: Her stringent COVID-19 lockdowns, including extended school closures, failed to curb the pandemic effectively, resulting in New Mexico having the third-highest COVID death rate among U.S. states. Lujan Grisham has not acknowledged her administration’s mistakes or apologized for her policies.
4. Unrealistic Environmental Mandates: The Governor pushed an impractical electric vehicle mandate requiring 43% of vehicles sold to be electric by 2026, despite the current market share being only 4.59%. This mandate could adversely affect car dealerships and taxpayers.
5. Housing Costs: Lujan Grisham’s policies, including mandates for electric vehicle chargers, have artificially inflated housing costs while failing to address New Mexico’s housing shortage effectively.
6. Energy Transition Act: Passed in 2019, this act has led to job losses and tax revenue declines on the Navajo Reservation and contributed to electricity shortages in the state.
7. Medicaid Dependency: New Mexico has the highest percentage of Medicaid recipients in the nation, with 47% of the population relying on welfare programs. This dependency can undermine work ethic and job-seeking motivation.
8. Crime and Safety: Crime rates in New Mexico are the highest in the nation. Lujan Grisham has been criticized for her lack of support for effective crime legislation and for backing soft-on-crime candidates, including Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.

While Harris may avoid detailed policy discussions, the track record of her allies like Michelle Lujan Grisham serves as a significant indicator of the potential direction of her administration.