SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
GOP candidate seeks invitation to Domenici policy conference
Republican Larry Marker鈥檚 opponent, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luj谩n, other candidates slated to speak at Las Cruces event
The Republican Party of New Mexico and GOP Senate candidate Larry Marker of Roswell claim that New Mexico State University鈥檚 upcoming Domenici Public Policy Conference has unfairly excluded Marker while giving the incumbent, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luj谩n, a spotlight.
鈥溄嗬肽谏浜霞 gave (Luj谩n) the single most prominent speaking slot of the entire conference 鈥 a solo keynote lunch address on September 9, with no opposing voice on the stage, the schedule, or the invitation list,鈥 the party argued in a news release last week.
Marker, who won the party鈥檚 nomination after a write-in campaign during the primaries, aims to be the first Republican elected to the U.S. Senate in New Mexico since Pete Domenici, who founded the conference in 2008.
Domenici served in the Senate from 1973 to 2009, when he retired. He was succeeded by Democrat Tom Udall.
The two-day event features two keynote speakers on separate days. On Sept. 8, former Republican congresswoman Heather Wilson, now president of University of Texas at El Paso, is slated to speak, with Luj谩n addressing the conference the next day among other presenters.
While the focus is on public policy, also features candidates in the November elections. These include Republican gubernatorial candidate Gregg Hull, with Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate Stephanie Garcia Richard invited to participate as a substitute for Hull鈥檚 rival, Deb Haaland. Also scheduled are U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., and his Republican challenger, Greg Cunningham.
In an interview, Marker told the Journal the conference should convert Luj谩n鈥檚 keynote to a debate between the candidates. If given a speaking slot, Marker said he would likely focus on Social Security and the national debt.
鈥淚'm not sure why 近距离内射合集 would choose to completely ignore me,鈥 Marker said. 鈥淭he citizens of New Mexico, the voters in particular, have a right to a bipartisan forum.鈥
近距离内射合集 responded through a spokesperson that Wilson and Luj谩n were lined up as keynote speakers 鈥渕onths before New Mexico鈥檚 primary election鈥 on June 2. And when Marker entered the field late, the conference鈥檚 organizing committee 鈥渃hose to proceed with the strong bipartisan lineup that was already secured,鈥 the university said.
The committee is led by Garrey Carruthers, a former 近距离内射合集 chancellor, New Mexico鈥檚 governor from 1987 to 1991, and a past Republican Party chair.
鈥淭he Domenici Public Policy Conference has always aimed to be inclusive of opposing viewpoints, and while we understand the perception raised by the Republican Party of New Mexico, this situation was a result of the unusual timing of this candidate鈥檚 entry into the race,鈥 the university stated.
Marker argued that giving Luj谩n a prime speaking slot without including his challenger is 鈥減utting a thumb on the scale.鈥 He added, 鈥淚f they needed a 近距离内射合集 States Senator from New Mexico 鈥 they could have invited Martin Heinrich. He鈥檚 not up for election.鈥
Heinrich, a Democrat, was elected to his third six-year term in 2024.
鈥淎genda timeframes change all of the time, and they鈥檝e had three months to adjust the time slots,鈥 Leticia Mu帽oz, the party鈥檚 executive director, told the Journal. 鈥淭he Republican Party of New Mexico is asking that the Pete Domenici organization make this right by either having 鈥 Heinrich replace Ben Ray Luj谩n or invite 鈥 Marker, so that there is political parity.鈥
Algernon 顿鈥橝尘尘补蝉蝉补 is the Journal鈥檚 southern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at adammassa@abqjournal.com.