Mark Ronchetti in 2020 NM Senatorial race
On Crime:
Federal economic relief would free violent criminals
Ronchetti repeatedly said a House economic relief bill would let violent criminals out of prison. Amid questions about the future of civil rights guarantees and racial equality,
Ronchetti said policing reforms on the use of force are being derailed by partisanship, citing languishing proposals from Black GOP Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.
Source: Bay News TV-9 on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Oct 6, 2020
On Crime:
COVID: relief bill releases violent criminals from prison
On efforts to craft a new pandemic relief package, Luj n suggested another round of $1,200 direct payments to taxpayers is needed, along with an infusion of federal resources to public schools aimed at reopening classrooms safely.
Ronchetti said businesses should have liability protections in coronavirus-related lawsuits. "They shouldn't have to fear frivolous lawsuits," he said. Ronchetti repeatedly said a House economic relief bill would let violent criminals out of prison.
Source: Franklin IN Daily Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate debate
Oct 6, 2020
On Crime:
Welcomes federal intervention against violent crime
While Luj n touted his efforts on bills generating hundreds of millions of dollars for local police to help with crime-fighting efforts,
Ronchetti said he welcomes federal authorities stepping into crime-ridden cities. "Because the job isn't being done within the state," Ronchetti said. ". Someone has to tackle violent crime."
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican on 2020 New Mexico Senate debate
Oct 5, 2020
On Jobs:
Supports right to work laws
Q: Support expansion of union rights?Mark Ronchetti: Mostly no. Supports "right to work" laws that eliminate the ability of unions to mandate dues for workers they represent.
Ben Ray Lujan: Yes. Voted for Protecting the Right to Organize Act.
Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Sep 30, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Against government raising taxes & reaching into our lives
TAXES - Support administration's $1.9 trillion (2017) tax cuts?Mark Ronchetti: No position found. Against government implementing "higher taxes and reaching deeper into our lives."
Ben Ray Lujan: No. Voted against the tax cuts as "an example of fiscal irresponsibility [that] is skewed against American families."
Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Sep 30, 2020
On Abortion:
Unborn babies just happen to be living inside their mother
Mark believes life is a gift from God and every person has dignity and worth. Life should be protected--at all stages. With respect to abortion, he is strongly pro-life. Mark is appalled by the insistence of so many on the left that abortion
should be allowed up to the very point of birth. He believes unborn babies have souls, can feel emotions, and are every bit a human being; they just happen to be living inside their mother.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
COVID: Responsibly re-open economy, help small businesses
COVID-19 response: We must protect the health and livelihoods of all New Mexicans. It's up to each one of us to act responsibly and protect our shared public health. We also must fight to help families recover economically from this devastating virus.
Too many in our state have lost their jobs and been hurt financially, and Mark will fight to give small businesses and struggling workers the support they need. We must responsibly re-open our economy and help small businesses get back on their feet.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Crime:
Strongly opposes efforts to defund the police
Support for Law Enforcement: We must fight racism and police brutality, but defunding the police is a reckless and irresponsible scheme that will make our communities less safe. The vast majority of police officers are good people
risking their lives to protect our community and have earned our support. Mark strongly opposes efforts to defund the police. Mark will fight to bring more federal help back to New Mexico to fight crime and make our streets safer.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Crime:
Federal laws have teeth; we will go after criminals
Mark believes that from the federal-level down to our smallest towns more must be done to get our crime epidemic under control. Mark will work tirelessly with the Department of Justice to get more federal task force resources and additional assistant
US Attorneys to put criminals away. It will take years to reform the laws that let criminals out quickly on state and local charges. However, federal laws have teeth, and we will go after criminals in a way that will keep them off our streets.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Education:
Give parents opportunity to choose the right public school
A quality education is one of the most important factors in helping every child chase his or her dreams. For too long, our leaders have let our education system fall behind all of our neighboring states. Mark will fight for public charter schools in
New Mexico and the value they bring to underserved communities. Giving parents the opportunity to choose the right public school for their child should be a freedom that is accessible to all New Mexicans.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Green New Deal would destroy New Mexico's energy economy
Mark opposes the so-called "Green New Deal," believing it would destroy New Mexico's energy economy, cause massive state budget cuts to education and health care spending, make the U.S. less competitive economically, and drive up the cost of living,
working, farming, and running a business in America. Climate change can and must be addressed, but Mark is tired of those who believe that dismantling our energy economy is the only way to do so.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
All-of-the-above approach to developing energy resources
Mark believes in an all-of-the-above approach to developing energy resources in New Mexico and the United States. New Mexico must continue to be aggressive and focused on producing oil and gas, wind, solar, geothermal, and other forms of energy.
Mark believes that it's possible - and necessary - to both develop our energy resources and protect our environment. These goals do not have to compete with one another.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Gun Control:
Gun owner and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment
Mark is a gun owner and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Hunting, sport shooting, and gun collecting have all long been part of the New Mexico way of life and culture. And, for so many, gun ownership is a key way to
protect themselves and their property from harm. As Senator, Mark will always fight to protect our constitutional right to bear arms.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Health Care:
Opposes government-run Medicare for All, socialist ideas
Mark opposes government-run Medicare for All. Socialist health care ideas do not work and do not represent New Mexico. Mark supports protecting coverage for those who have pre-existing conditions and making sure they have the care they need.
Increasing and improving access to healthcare is possible by supporting policies that lower costs while protecting quality and choice. Every American should be able to pick the healthcare plan that they want, not one the overnment picks for them.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Homeland Security:
Increased defense spending brings jobs to state
The federal government has increased defense spending and brought thousands of jobs to New Mexico, and Mark will fight to continue investing in the state. Mark supports a strong national defense and understands the important role our labs
and bases play in New Mexico. Mark supports increasing pay for those who serve in the military, because he wants to put those who defend America first.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Homeland Security:
Protect veterans benefits, wider array of services
Mark will fight to protect the benefits our veterans have earned and create an environment where it is easier for veterans to get access to the care that they need.
Veterans should have access to a wider array of services to guarantee their needs are met and that they are able to receive the care they deserve.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Immigration:
Against amnesty, close the asylum loophole
We must secure our southern border through a wide variety of methods from barriers, to drones, to additional border staff. We must close the asylum-loophole that is creating a crisis at the border by encouraging migrants to come to the
United States and claim asylum when they do not qualify. Mark supports legal immigration but opposes amnesty. Those seeking citizenship should do so the right way, and those who break the law shouldn't be allowed to "jump the line."
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Immigration:
Eliminate sanctuary city laws around the country
Mark supports measures to eliminate sanctuary city laws around the country
that allow illegal immigrants who commit crimes to be released back into our communities, rather than being deported.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Jobs:
Lowering taxes for small business will create jobs
Mark is a strong supporter of local small businesses, understanding they are the backbone of our local economy. Mark will fight for job-creating policies, such as lowering taxes for small businesses and eliminating senseless red-tape.
Mark is also a strong supporter of our energy economy in New Mexico. Mark understands that a responsible energy economy in New Mexico creates thousands of good-paying jobs and funds 40% of our school funding.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Senator should put the people of New Mexico first
Mark will support leaders from either party who have an idea or policy that can benefit the people of New Mexico. That's why he has supported President Trump's efforts to rebuild our military bases in New Mexico, grow our energy economy that has led to
more funding for our schools, and bring federal muscle to fight crime in Albuquerque. Mark believes you should never hate your political opponents more than you love New Mexico. We must elect a Senator who will put the people of New Mexico first.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
On Abortion:
Oppose late term abortion, support ban on federal funding
I absolutely oppose late term abortions. The fact that New Mexico is one of the late term abortion capitals of the country is a tragedy.
I do not believe federal funds should be used to fund abortion. I support the Hyde Amendment which is currently the law of the land.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Strongly opposes ban on fracking, safely done for 60 years
I strongly oppose a ban on fracking. It would completely destroy our state budget and create national security issues when we have to import more foreign oil.
We've been fracking safely for 60 years in this country. Giving up energy independence is a terrible financial, environmental and national security decision.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
50% of our oil and gas comes from public lands
Our energy independence saves the average family $2,500 a year in energy costs. Fifty percent of our oil and gas comes from public lands, so we must continue to use federal land.
We should work with those who are concerned about energy production around cultural sites to find a solution.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
On Environment:
Oppose environmental extremism; it crushes middle class
I oppose the Green New Deal and environmentalist extremism. While the atmosphere is warming and there are steps we can take to protect our environment, we can't restrict our economy when countries like China and India continue unrestricted pollution.
The financial burden would crush our middle and lower class. The purpose of the GND isn't about the environment, it is a complete restructuring of the economy with free college, guaranteed income and universal healthcare.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
On Free Trade:
Review trade agreements; put American worker first
We need to continuously evaluate our trade relationship with China. COVID-19 has made it clear we cannot continue to export industry to China at the expense of
American jobs and national security. We should be continuously reviewing our agreements with other countries to confirm we are putting the American worker first.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
On Gun Control:
Opposes a ban of semi-automatic rifles
Q: Do you favor a federal ban on the sale of military style semi-automatic rifles? A: I completely support the Second Amendment and oppose such a ban.
A law-abiding citizen who responsibly handles their guns doesn't need the government to come knocking on their door. I support stronger penalties for criminals who commit crimes with guns in this state.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
On Health Care:
Against single payer, patients would lose their doctors
I completely oppose a single payer health care system. It would be disastrous. Medicare-for-All would drive up costs, and everyday New Mexicans would be forced to give up their employer-based insurance which they like.
Patients would lose their doctors and the ability to choose what insurance plan would best fit them.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
On Immigration:
Amnesty incentivizes even more illegal immigration
I oppose amnesty because it incentivizes even more illegal immigration. Decriminalizing border crossing and dangling free health care encourages well-meaning families to put their families at risk by illegally entering the country. Allow them to apply
in their home country and when legally approved move to the U.S. Our borders are not secure enough and we need a barrier, more staffing or increased air patrol for a more secure border. Sanctuary cities in New Mexico exacerbate our crime problems.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
On Principles & Values:
America the greatest nation on Earth, not afraid to say so
Ad Watch on Ronchetti's first TV ad: "I believe in our New Mexico values of faith, family and freedom, and they are under attack. DC has failed us and I believe it is up to us to turn it around. I believe small businesses built this country and its
small businesses that will bring us back. I believe politicians aren't taking crime seriously and I will never support defunding the police. I approve this message because I believe America is the greatest nation on Earth and I'm not afraid to say so."
Source: KOB-TV AdWatch: 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 21, 2020
On Abortion:
No federal funding for abortion
I strongly oppose late-term abortions, and the fact my opponent support abortion up to the point of birth is horrifying. I do not believe federal funds should be used to fund abortion.
I support the Hyde Amendment which is currently the law of the land.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Crime:
Opposed to defunding the police
Most police officers are good people and I strongly oppose defunding the police. Additionally, our Albuquerque police officers have already adopted many reforms and I am proud to be endorsed by the Albuquerque Police Officers Association. We need
federal law enforcement help to keep our streets safe. Our local government and leadership have abdicated the responsibility and let violent crime skyrocket. We need to support our police department and bring in federal help to keep our streets safe.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Pro fracking and continue to use cost effective oil and gas
I strongly oppose a ban on fracking. It would destroy our state budget, lead to the slashing of public-school funding, and threaten national security. Fracking has happened safely for 60 years in this country. Giving up energy independence is
a terrible environmental and national security decision. Energy independence saves the average family $2,500 a year in energy costs. As 50% of our oil and gas comes from public lands, we must continue to use it.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Environment:
The Green New Deal is about socialism
I strongly oppose the GND--it's not serious legislation. With $93-trillion price-tag, it will crush our economy. The purpose of the GND isn't about the environment,
it's a complete restructuring of our economy that guarantees income for those who choose not to work.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Free Trade:
Protect jobs and national security before trading with China
We need to continuously evaluate our trade relationship with China. COVID-19 has made it clear we cannot continue to export industry to
China at the expense of American jobs and national security. We should be continuously reviewing our agreements with other countries to confirm we are putting American workers first.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Gun Control:
Supports 2nd amendment and background checks
I support the second amendment and oppose bans and gun confiscation. I support background checks for gun purchases and enhancing penalties for criminals who commit crimes with guns.
However, law-abiding citizens who responsibly handle their firearms don't need the government to come knocking on their door.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Health Care:
Absolute no to government single payer health care
I oppose a single payer government-run health care system. It would drive up costs, limit New Mexicans' ability to choose their doctor, and put an end to their employer-based
health insurance plans. The price tag of such policy is so high it would mean major tax increases on businesses and families.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Immigration:
Opposes illegal immigration and sanctuary cities
I oppose amnesty. Decriminalizing border crossing and dangling free health care encourages well-meaning families to put their families at risk by illegally entering the country. Allow them to apply in their home country and when legally approved
move to the US. Our borders are not secure. We need a barrier and more border patrol officers. Abolishing ICE is a terrible idea. New Mexico is a drug superhighway into the US, which brings crime--exacerbated by sanctuary city policies.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Principles & Values:
A proud New Mexican conservative
Ronchetti said he decided to run because he was "fed up" with politicians in Washington not solving problems. The political novice in his video called himself a "proud conservative New Mexican" who
is "pro-life and pro-Second Amendment."
Source: Las Cruces Sun News on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Hate for opponents can't be stronger than love of New Mexico
On partisanship: "New Mexicans are fed up with the petty partisan politics that has gotten in the way of progress for New Mexicans,"
Ronchetti said in a separate statement. "Hatred for your political opponents can never be stronger than your love of New Mexico--when it is, nobody wins."
Source: Las Cruces Sun-News on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 27, 2020