There IS a Difference

Two women are running for New Mexico Governor. One is a lifelong resident of our state. The other is Hispanic, born in El Paso, and has lived in New Mexico for less than twenty years.

Both have turned up the heat. Each has entered the blazing territory on immigrants. One unequivocally toes her party's line. The other chose to speak about the Real ID and driver's licenses for immigrants.

I listened to one of them Wednesday evening, at the Inn at the Delta, in the company of some of northern New Mexico's most influential chicanas. Diane Denish spoke candidly on several issues, including the struggle to differentiate herself from her opponent on the issue of immigrants. Ms. Denish reminded our group that she was one of the first to oppose Arizona's SB1070. Her comments on driver's licenses for immigrants may have focused a certain lens on her campaign, but Diane Denish is NOT Susanna Martinez. She does not toe the Republican party line on immigrants. Nor does she take $450k donations from a Texan, who would like nothing more than to influence New Mexico policy making.

Since when do New Mexicans listen to Texans on how our beautiful state should be run? Never. And, Diane Denish knows this with all her heart! She is a TRUE New Mexican, developing state programs to help small businesses, focusing on the economy through education, and fighting for women's right for equal pay in the workplace.

We DO have a choice - vote for a woman raised in El Paso, who cares nothing for the suffering of her Mexican brothers and sisters in the colonias of southern New Mexico, or vote for a New Mexican, born and bred, who knows and values our way of life. This race is not about ethnicity. This race is not about Bill Richardson. This race is not just about immigrant rights.

This IS a race about who will best care for ALL residents of our proud land, New Mexico! And, I am one Hermana de Diane, who will be fighting to keep Texas out of our government, and keep el orgullo de nuestra gente in by working and voting FOR Diane Denish!