By Danny Romero, Jr. , Albuquerque — Here in New Mexico, we know what it means to be resilient. We know what it takes to make ends meet, to provide for our families, and fight with everything we’ve got.
We have made significant progress, securing huge wins in early childhood education and addressing the healthcare practitioner shortage, but we still have a lot of work to do to make sure families can see opportunities for themselves and their kids in New Mexico.
It’s up to each and every one of us to provide a better future for our children and create a place where they can thrive. In doing so, we need to elect a leader who knows the struggle and knows how to navigate the challenges we’re facing. We need a governor who will build on the progress we have made and fight for our state.
Throughout the course of my career, I have experienced my fair share of fights. Each time I stepped into the ring, I gave it my all. No matter the outcome, I looked back on that fight as a lesson and used that experience to prepare myself for my next fight. Every fight made me tougher, taught me how to improve my style, and proved that in the face of adversity, I was willing to do whatever it took to come out on top.
When we look at the future of our state, we need to look at our previous wins, our previous losses, and use those to move us forward. Our children are the future that we have to look out for and if we are not laying the foundation now, they won’t have the opportunity to succeed. At my gym, Danny Romero’s Hideout, I have worked to provide a place for our youth to train and hangout, creating a safe alternative to spending their time on the streets, and opening our children’s minds to different opportunities. What stands out to me in Deb’s plans for New Mexico is her commitment to finding ways to engage our kids. Take her Every Child Outdoors initiative for example, showing kids a new lifestyle outdoors and exposing them to new opportunities, which helps them to find new interests and steer them away from falling down the wrong path.
Part of setting our children up for success means that we’re working to make New Mexico a place where they want to live. Right now, housing is too expensive and there are not enough affordable options. We can’t expect our children to stay here and be successful if they can’t afford to pay rent or buy a home. Deb’s plan builds up our state, creates a better New Mexico, and sets our children up for success.
As we look toward the fight ahead, I’m in Deb Haaland’s corner. Not only does Deb have strong plans on how to improve these areas, she has the experience to roll with the punches and stand up to any challenge that New Mexico is facing.
Deb knows the struggles that New Mexicans face. As a single mother, she started her own small business to make ends meet and provide for her child. She understands what it means to wait hours for healthcare, while not having enough money to pay for food or rent. Most importantly, she knows what it takes to put up a fight, regardless of the circumstances.
New Mexicans need a fighter, and ours is Deb Haaland.
Danny Romero is a former professional boxer and world champion from Albuquerque, N.M.