Mick Rich in 2018 NM Senate race
On Abortion:
Life begins at conception; de-fund Planned Parenthood
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Martin Heinrich (D): Legal. Safe & legal without restrictions.
Gary Johnson (L):
Legal. Personal aversion but recognizes as law of the land.
Mick Rich (R): Ban. Life begins at conception.
Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?
Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. "1 in 5 women has relied on for. birth control & lifesaving cancer treatments."
Gary Johnson (L): Unclear. But supports across-the-board federal
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Corporations:
Roll back Dodd-Frank and CFPB consumer protections
Q: Financial Regulation: Support cutbacks of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?Martin Heinrich (D): No. Called for its continued funding & independence.
Gary Johnson (L): Yes.
Scrap Dodd-Frank, the legislation that authorized the CFPB.
Mick Rich (R): Yes. Congratulated Trump for Dodd-Frank rollback.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Drugs:
Opposes legalizing recreational use
Q: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. "It's time to legalize marijuana."
Gary Johnson (L):
Yes. Long-time advocate for legalization.
Mick Rich (R): Opposes legalizing recreational use.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
Supports vouchers, savings accounts, & scholarship programs
Q: Help parents send children to private schools with public money?Martin Heinrich (D): No. "Privatization policies would be especially damaging to rural New Mexico"
Gary Johnson (L): Yes. Competition improves choices. "Why can't we apply that to schools?"
Mick Rich (R): Yes. Supports "vouchers, savings accounts, & scholarship programs."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
Let Pell grants cover job training
Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, by increasing high earner taxes (Elizabeth Warren bill)? Increase aid, like Pell Grants?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Co-sponsored bill to "address the significant loss in value of Pell Grants,"
Gary
Johnson (L): Supported elimination of all student loans, though would explore reduced interest. Called for Pell Grants cuts.
Mick Rich (R): No position on Warren bill. Consolidate income-contingent loans. Let Pell grants cover job training.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Coal plant filters can solve CO2 emissions without subsidies
Q: Consider climate change a serious threat? Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes to both. Climate change is "devastating"--with "moral obligation to be responsible stewards of this earth."
Gary Johnson (L):
No. Says human activity is a contributing factor, but doesn't support government role in regulating.
Mick Rich (R): Unclear. Mentions but not as urgent issue. Says Sandia Labs coal plant filter can solve CO2 emissions.
Q: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?
Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Championed renewable investments to "create thousands of new jobs."
Gary Johnson (L): No. Proposes "a free market approach,"
with technological innovation as only driver.
Mick Rich (R): No. Would only support renewable energy without government subsidies.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Environment:
Environment is fragile, but businesses are overregulated
Q: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)?Martin Heinrich (D): No. EPA needed to protect health & well-being, & move to clean energy economy.
Gary Johnson (L): Unclear. Believes that the EPA has an important role to play.<
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Free Trade:
Current trade with China is not fair;impose tariffs
Q: Support Trump's imposition of tariffs on China?Martin Heinrich (D): No. Sledgehammer where need surgical approach.
Gary Johnson (L): No. Hurt US industries that need imports like solar.
Mick Rich (R): Yes. Current trade with China is not fair.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Gun Control:
No restrictions on semi-automatic weapons nor silencers
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Former NRA member, backed legislation to ban bump stocks & deny those on the federal no-fly list.
Gary Johnson (L): No.
Says evidence doesn't show that such laws make us safer--actually less safe.
Mick Rich (R): No. "Constitutional right." Wouldn't restrict semi-automatic weapons or silencers.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Health Care:
Restore a free-market approach to health insurance
Q: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare?Martin Heinrich (D): Support. Repeal would make rural hospitals close & tens of thousands lose coverage . Against Medicare work rules.
Gary Johnson (L):
Repeal. Would repeal ACA & cut Medicare. Supports free-market approach to health coverage.
Mick Rich (R): Repeal. "Restore a free-market approach to health insurance."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Immigration:
Illegals must leave & apply for citizenship like anyone
Q: Path to citizenship for "DACA" recipients or "Dreamers," brought here as children?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Original supporter of DACA, backs "tough but fair path to earned citizenship."
Gary Johnson (L): Unclear.
Wants "immigrants to obtain work visas & move back & forth across border."
Mick Rich (R): No. If want citizenship, "they must leave & apply like anyone else."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Jobs:
Remove regulations that discourage hiring, like minimum wage
Q: Raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 /hr?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Raise to $15.
Gary Johnson (L): No.
Eliminate federal minimum wage.
Mick Rich (R): "Remove all regulations that discourage hiring."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Trump tax cuts stimulated investment & job creation
Q: Taxes: Support President Trump's tax cuts?Martin Heinrich (D): No. Does little for working families.
Gary Johnson (L):
Yes. But should have also cut spending.
Mick Rich (R): Yes. "Stimulated investment & job creation.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Technology:
More federal spending on infrastructure repair
Q: Support Federal spending to promote the economy?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes, particularly transportation infrastructure.
Gary Johnson (L): No. Cut government spending by 20%.
Mick Rich (R): Yes. Energy development & infrastructure repair.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
On Environment:
Cost-benefit analyses for environmental improvement projects
Q: What do you see as the major environmental challenge facing our country and how would you address it?A: Policy ideas to solve our environmental challenges should be based on analysis of all direct and indirect impacts to the environment. Example:
Is the Gulf of Mexico algae bloom an indirect result of increased Midwest corn production to produce ethanol? The government performs cost benefit ratios for almost every project; it should do the same for environmental improvement projects.
Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Sep 9, 2018
On Gun Control:
Background checks on all firearm purchases, no exceptions
Q: Given recent events in New Mexico and across the nation, what would you do to address gun violence?A: Ensure that individuals who should not have access to firearms don't gain gun access, while also ensuring they receive due process.
Background checks on all firearm purchases, no exceptions. Any declared "Gun free zones" become responsible for the safety of their occupants.
Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Sep 9, 2018
On Health Care:
Allow insurance plans to be sold across state lines
Q: What actions do you advocate to improve the availability, accessibility and quality of health care?A: To reduce cost insurance plans, allow insurance plans to be sold across state lines. Eliminate mandated coverages and allow people
to customize health plans based on their needs. Incentivize healthy living through reduced premiums. Protect insurance coverage for those with preexisting conditions.
Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Sep 9, 2018
On Immigration:
New policy on applicant merit, not family relationships
Q: What immigration policies do you support? A: Secure our borders. Non-Citizens who break our laws and don't work or go to school cannot stay. Illegal immigrants that came before 2008 can obtain legal status, but they must exit the country and
re-enter the country legally. DREAMers will receive legal status and can apply for citizenship with the legal immigrants seeking citizenship. A new legal immigration policy on applicant merit, not family relationships.
Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Sep 9, 2018
On Free Trade:
Aluminum & steel tariffs are a way to cut a better deal
Rich told NM Political Report Trump's words make people nervous, but his actions aren't always as bad. To Rich, Trump's tariffs on aluminum and steel were a "shot across the bow" and a way to cut a better deal.And Trump's public rhetoric about North
Korea, he said, were ends to justify means as Trump and the country's leader Kim Jong-Un agreed to meet to discuss nuclear weapons. "I've learned to watch what people do and not what they say," Rich said.
Rich qualified his positions a little more.
Rich said he wants to serve the state of New Mexico, not the president or Congress.
- "When [Trump is] good for the state, I'm good with him," Rich said.
- On U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions: "He's enforcing the laws and I'm good with that."
- Rich said it "might surprise some people" that his other political inspiration was the late Gov. Bruce King, a Democrat. King was "just a good guy," Rich said. "He was easy to talk to and he cared about people."
Source: NMPoliticalReport.com on 2018 New Mexico Senatorial race
Mar 19, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Support oil & gas industry for fuel independence
Support for the oil and gas industry in southeast New Mexico is also important, Rich said, amid innovations in green and renewable energy. He said New Mexico could be at the forefront of America's fuel independence."When you think about
New Mexico's oil and gas industry, I don't think southeast New Mexico is given the credit for where we're at in the world," Rich said. "It's not just about the U.S. being energy independent. We have now surpassed Saudi Arabia in production.."
Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 19, 2018
On Immigration:
We can only accept so many immigrants, but let's negotiate
Rich was critical of Democrat leaders who walked out of immigration talks, following Trump's now infamous supposed labeling of many African nations as "sh--thole countries." "Martin Heinrich did nothing to move forward the immigration issues," Rich said.
Immigration is an essential issue to address at the federal level, Rich said. To him, immigrants don't just come for jobs, but to become Americans. "We're looking at this and saying the only people we're holding responsible for immigration issues are
employers," Rich said. "We saw kids come here. They weren't coming for jobs, they were coming to live here. It's not just about jobs, it's about freedom."
There is a limit to how many immigrants should be allowed in the country, Rich said, and he said
he is committed to negotiating the issue. We can only accept so many immigrants without making it so that nobody can be successful," he said. "It costs substantial funds to bring a person in in immigration. No enough funds are allocated per person."
Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 19, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Support Trump tax bill; 80% get a pay cut
Mick Rich called Heinrich's votes partisan, putting the political agendas ahead of the needs of the people. "This is a guy who voted against the tax bill," Rich said. "I'm looking at this and say it looks good to me. I'm hearing corporations are handing
out nice bonuses to people.
Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 19, 2018
On Principles & Values:
In my business and my public service,
I am guided by core values of integrity, the dignity of work, and leadership toward the greatest common good.
Source: LinkedIn posting on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 18, 2018
On Civil Rights:
Public leaders need to set example to help diffuse racism
Black Congressional leaders refused to attend the grand opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum on Saturday because President Trump attended.
This only worsens racial division. Our nation must pull together. We are one people, of many colors.
Source: Facebook posting on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Dec 11, 2017
On Abortion:
Abortion rips the moral fabric of our nation
The right to life is the civil rights issue of our time. We must protect the unborn and their mothers, the elderly, people with disabilities and terminal diseases, and other rejected and threatened members of society. Mick believes that life begins at
conception, and that abortion harms everyone touched by it. It rips the moral fabric of our nation. We must end this divisive national tragedy as soon as possible, so that once again, America can serve as a beacon of human rights around the world.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
On Budget & Economy:
Government red tape destroys job growth
The federal government kills more American jobs through regulation than it could ever create through public works projects or stimulus packages.
When we ask what our Senators and Congressmen can do to create jobs, the first step is to remove rules and regulations that discourage hiring, discourage banks from lending to businesses, and discourage manufacturers from producing goods here in America.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
On Energy & Oil:
Make public lands accessible for energy production
New Mexico's federal public lands were always intended to benefit its citizens. But recently, much of New Mexico's public land has been fenced off from the people. This is an outrageous overreach by the federal government.
We demand the return of our public land for energy production and job creation, while we preserve its natural beauty for our children and grandchildren. New Mexico can and will lead our nation in producing clean energy for national energy independence.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
On Gun Control:
2nd Amendment is a God-given right
Human beings have the God-given right to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Americans have the Constitutional right to buy, own, and carry firearms.
Our Second Amendment rights should allow us undisturbed carry of our firearms no matter which state we live in or travel to.
Black guns--often wrongly called "assault rifles"--should have equal legal status as other hunting rifles.
And gun owners should be able to protect their hearing by buying silencers without undergoing a background investigation or paying a special tax.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
On Health Care:
Reinstate free market model for health insurance
Mick wants to replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and restore a free-market approach to health insurance.
We should be able to buy insurance across state lines, just like car insurance. Each of us should take responsibility for our health, and work with our medical providers to control costs.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
On Homeland Security:
Strong military is essential for our protection
Protecting America and Americans from foreign threats and terrorists is our federal government's top priority. Mick will ensure that New Mexico's military bases and national laboratories continue to play a vital role in keeping America safe.
The men and women who protect our country--our military and first responders--will be the best trained and equipped in the world. And we will provide our veterans the best medical care possible.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
On Tax Reform:
Low taxes creates job opportunities
We need a complete overhaul of our tax system to make it fair, simple, and honest. We must lower taxes for both working people and businesses. Our current corporate tax rates discourage companies from making their products in
America, at the expense of American jobs. Our tax laws are such a burden that business owners make decisions on the basis of taxes, not good economic sense. That's got to change--now.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
On Technology:
Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure will create employment
Next we can shift existing federal spending from non-productive programs to renew our national infrastructure.
Our roads, bridges, railroads, airports, water and sewer lines, and energy generation and transmission systems form the backbone of our economy and the lifeline of our public well being.
But compared with other wealthy nations, America's infrastructure is old and crumbling. Repairing and renewing it will help both businesses and citizens, and will create steady, good-paying, hard hat jobs.
This isn't government magic--it's just common sense.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com
Aug 8, 2017
On Families & Children:
Vote for opportunities to build jobs and help families
After working to build communities in New Mexico for 35 years, construction contractor Mick Rich believes there's less opportunities for residents of the state. Rich said he is tired of career politicians voting against opportunities for
hardworking New Mexican families. He said he wants to fight for New Mexico residents who want to make an honest living in order for families to provide for their children.
Source: Alamogordo Daily News on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Apr 24, 2017
On Corporations:
Less government oversight but more federal funding
Rich said his business experience would provide a different perspective for New Mexico's congressional delegation. "I don't think more government is going to solve our problems." If elected, he said he would push for
relaxed restrictions on federal land use and more funding with solidified missions for the state's federal laboratories, while describing high crime and drug overdose rates in New Mexico as a barrier to economic development.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Apr 19, 2017
On Drugs:
Ending illegal drugs crossing the border will be #1 priority
Rich also signaled public safety issues as a top priority, while tracing New Mexico's difficulties in addressing violent crime and drug overdoses to illegal drugs crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. He said he would take a common sense approach to
drug interdiction at the border that would include border wall reinforcements in some, but not all, areas. He suggested paying for border wall improvements with a portion of the money that immigrants wire home to family in Mexico.
Source: US News & World Report on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Apr 19, 2017
On Environment:
Wants commercial use of natural resources on federal lands
Announcing his federal campaign filing Tuesday, Rich emphasized his support for the commercial development of natural resources on federal lands as a way to boost New Mexico's economy. He criticized Heinrich's vote against the confirmation of Energy
Secretary Rick Perry as a liability for New Mexico in efforts to ensure funding for national nuclear weapons laboratories overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy, and vowed to be a better broker for New Mexico interests with the federal government.
Source: US News & World Report on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Apr 19, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 11, 2018