Johnson gets a New Mexico welcome at ABQ rally

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson stopped on his way into a rally at the Albuquerque Convention Center to see the workings of a lowrider car with hydraulics Saturday afternoon. After he watched with awe, the most logical thing happened—the presidential candidate sat in the car as the front end jumped seven feet off the […]

Johnson gets a New Mexico welcome at ABQ rally

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson stopped on his way into a rally at the Albuquerque Convention Center to see the workings of a lowrider car with hydraulics Saturday afternoon.

After he watched with awe, the most logical thing happened—the presidential candidate sat in the car as the front end jumped seven feet off the ground and lurched forward. The surrounding crowd cheered as Johnson pressed against the ceiling of the car.

Later, as he walked into a press conference, Johnson told NM Political Report he enjoyed himself but was still feeling the effects.

“My teeth are still chattering,” Johnson said.

Bill Weld, a former Massachusetts governor and Johnson’s running mate, felt it too.

“My back hurt just looking at Gary up there,” Weld told reporters.

Johnson made his first official campaign appearance in New Mexico since his nomination by the Libertarian Party, where he made a clear attempt to reach out to Latino voters in the state.

Johnson arrived with Weld and went directly to a car club rally, complete with a row of extravagant lowriders. The group of enthusiasts organized an event to show support for Johnson from the lowrider community.

Gary Johnson poses for a picture during a lowrider event
Gary Johnson poses for a picture during a lowrider event

Johnson said he was “honored and flattered” by the display of cars lined up outside the convention center, some holding Johnson-Weld campaign signs.

Johnson said he thought the display from the mostly-Latino lowrider owners was because of his view towards immigration. Before he was nominated, Johnson campaigned on immigration reform that would include work visas as part of a path to citizenship.

“The reason why the lowriders, the Latino community right now, nationwide, is coming to recognize us is maybe we can bring comprehensive immigration reform to the table,” Johnson said.

A recent Fox News Latino poll showed 16 percent of Latinos would vote for Johnson if the election was held right now. A previous poll though, showed Johnson polling at four percent among the same voters.

Weld took a chance to appeal to Spanish speakers during a pre-rally press conference.

“We’re the only ticket that’s fiscally responsable,” Weld said in mixed Spanish. “Fiscalmente responsable y socialmente tolerante.”

Bill Weld
Bill Weld during a rally in Albuquerque

During the rally, of about 800, both Johnson and Weld went through their usual Libertarian selling points of free markets and liberty, or as Weld often says of government, “Stay out of our bedrooms, and stay out of our pocket books.”

Johnson is running as an alternative to the two major party candidates, both of whom are very unpopular.

Juan Hernandez, a Republican political advisor, attended the rally to spread the word that he is not supporting his party’s nominee Donald Trump and is backing the Johnson campaign.

“I’ve always thought of the GOP, the grand old party, as the one of Lincoln, the one that fought against slavery,” Hernandez told NM Political Report.  “And Reagan, the last one that passed a truly comprehensive immigration reform.”

Hernandez previously advised former Mexico President Vicente Fox, U.S. Sen. John McCain and former president George W. Bush. Hernandez said he remains close to the Bush family and spoke with them before he pledged his support for Johnson.

“It was important for them to understand why I was joining Gary,” Hernandez said.

Political advisor Juan Hernandez
Political adviser Juan Hernandez

Hernandez also started a group, Hispanic Republicans of Texas, with George P. Bush, the son of Jeb Bush. Hernandez said through the group he met Gov. Susana Martinez.

“I wish she would join us over here with Gary,” Hernandez said.

Martinez hasn’t endorsed any candidate for president, though previously said she could not support Johnson because of his views on legalizing marijuana.

Johnson and Weld promised to continue on the campaign trail, selling the idea that they are a team and that voters will get a “two for one” deal if they are elected.

Weld joked that he and Gary have always admired each other and their friendship is growing.

“That’s only ripened over with the years as we’ve discovered that each of us plays pool and backgammon,” Weld said. “It just gets better and better.”

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Governor to call special session for public safety legislation this summer

Governor to call special session for public safety legislation this summer

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that she will call the Legislature into a special session this summer to address public safety legislation that did…
Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

A New Mexico-based LGBTQ rights organization endorsed 15 candidates for state House and Senate seats for the 2024 elections.  Marshall Martinez, executive director of…
Sandia researchers look at ways to store hydrogen underground

Sandia researchers look at ways to store hydrogen underground

As the world looks to decarbonize, governments are promoting hydrogen, a somewhat controversial energy source, as an important component of that effort. But that…
American Rivers ranks waters in New Mexico as the most endangered in the country

American Rivers ranks waters in New Mexico as the most endangered in the country

New Mexico rivers are the most endangered in the country, according to the annual report from American Rivers. This is because of two U.S.…
Economic Development Department announces Energy Transition Act funding awards

Economic Development Department announces Energy Transition Act funding awards

Funding to assist with economic development following the closure of the San Juan Generating Station will be distributed to four projects in San Juan,…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican Brittany Behenna Griffith has a laundry list of adjectives to describe the ideal special education teacher:…
Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican A challenging task awaits New Mexico lawmakers in the next 30 days: Reconciling three very different…
Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with covid-19 patients, emergency physician Sonya Stokes remains shaken by…
Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was awarded to six tribal nations and…
Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee discussed a potential constitutional amendment that seeks to limit the governor’s executive powers. The committee approved…
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that an 1864 abortion ban is enforceable, throwing another state bordering New Mexico into the situation of…
The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

While the U.S. Supreme Court considers the future of access to the abortion medication, mifepristone, another lawsuit against the FDA that would expand access…
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that an 1864 abortion ban is enforceable, throwing another state bordering New Mexico into the situation of…
The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

While the U.S. Supreme Court considers the future of access to the abortion medication, mifepristone, another lawsuit against the FDA that would expand access…
Vasquez calls out Republicans for ‘inaction’ on border policy

Vasquez calls out Republicans for ‘inaction’ on border policy

U.S. Rep. Gabriel “Gabe” Vasquez, a Democrat who represents the state’s 2nd Congressional District along the U.S.-Mexico border, cosponsored a resolution on Monday calling…
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
Politics Newsletter: Early and absentee voting

Politics Newsletter: Early and absentee voting

Good morning fellow political junkies! Early and absentee voting for the June 4 New Mexico primary begins in about a month. The nonprofit election…
American Rivers ranks waters in New Mexico as the most endangered in the country

American Rivers ranks waters in New Mexico as the most endangered in the country

New Mexico rivers are the most endangered in the country, according to the annual report from American Rivers. This is because of two U.S.…

Can the Albuquerque Police Department ever be reformed?

by Joshua Bowling, Searchlight New Mexico In the past decade, reforming the Albuquerque Police Department has cost nearly $40 million and generated 5,600 pages…
Politics Newsletter: Uncommitted primary voting

Politics Newsletter: Uncommitted primary voting

Hello fellow political junkies! Early and absentee voting in the New Mexico Primary begin on May 7. With many voters readying their choice for…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report