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Haaland and Bregman talk policy and records in "Debate Games" at CNM

Candidates answered questions from local organizations during Saturday event

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Democratic gubernatorial candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman took the stage at Central New Mexico Community College Saturday evening to field policy questions from local organizations and make their case to be the next governor.

More than a hundred people gathered in Smith Brasher Hall for the 鈥淒ukes Up Presents: The Debate Games,鈥 where the candidates answered questions submitted by organizations 鈥 including the American Civil Liberties Union, Albuquerque Indivisible and Jewish Voice For Peace 鈥 and those who organized the 鈥渃ommunity-driven, interactive debate format.鈥

The questions covered topics like healthcare, data centers, immigration enforcement and education, among others. The candidates were given 90 seconds to answer, 60 seconds for a rebuttal and 30 seconds to respond to the rebuttal.

There was a twist. 

A group of several undecided voters would wave flags if they felt the candidate answered the question and wasn鈥檛 evasive. If the candidate did not get a flag wave, they forfeited their 30-second response to that particular question.

The event followed weeks of Bregman鈥檚 campaign accusing Haaland of dodging debates after the former U.S. Interior secretary declined invitations from two Albuquerque-based network television stations. Bregman had been challenging Haaland to a debate since September, when he released his policy plan.

After Saturday鈥檚 event, Bregman insisted it 鈥渨asn鈥檛 a debate.鈥 

The first hour saw a team of high schoolers assigned to each candidate guess which policy the candidate supported from a multiple choice list. If the team guessed right, they got a point and whichever team matched the most answers left their candidate to choose who would be first to make opening remarks for the main event. 

Haaland won that challenge by a landslide as Bregman and his team were not on the same page for several policy questions 鈥 with the current 2nd Judicial district attorney at times looking frustrated. 

Haaland chose for Bregman to open the debate and, in his opening remarks, Bregman thanked the organizers and took a playful shot at the event鈥檚 name. 

鈥淭he next governor leading this state is not a game,鈥 he said. Bregman said, if elected, he would stand up to the Trump administration while improving healthcare and education and tamping down on crime.

鈥淎re we going to be a place where our kids can stay 鈥 right here 鈥 or a place with no opportunity?鈥 Bregman said.

Haaland opened with an Indigenous greeting before telling the crowd, as governor, she would make sure children were reading sooner, with a hot meal on their plate and a roof over their heads. 

鈥淚 have a record of getting things done,鈥 Haaland added, referring to her time in Washington. 

Throughout the debate, the candidates rarely commented on or compared the other鈥檚 policy plan or record. The response and rebuttal portions saw the candidate introducing or expanding upon their own ideas and accolades.

When asked how they would address affordability in their first two years, both candidates said they would boost childcare and family tax credits. 

Bregman said he would give a $500 credit to those making under $200,000 a year, saying 鈥渁ffordability is a real issue for families.鈥 Haaland said she would pursue a public healthcare option and clean energy initiatives to lower utility costs.

鈥淣ew Mexicans need a raise 鈥 plain and simple,鈥 she said.

To diversify state revenue streams, Haaland said she would reinvest in tech startups and the film industry while making sure any incoming industry is sustainable. Bregman said he would use oil revenues to build a future on renewables.

The pair struck a different tone on data centers.

Bregman said the centers 鈥渋f done right鈥 鈥 words he emphasized repeatedly 鈥 could provide a benefit to communities. He said that meant not draining resources, like using desalination instead of fresh water, not increasing energy costs or disrupting power grids.

Bregman said, as governor, he could 鈥渂alance those interests.鈥

Haaland said she didn鈥檛 believe data centers had communities鈥 best interests at heart and, countering Bregman who said they could bring construction jobs, said such jobs could be better provided by building affordable housing across the state.

The topic of Trump and the funding of foreign wars came up repeatedly.

Bregman said the governor has no military authority but if war spending takes away from Medicaid 鈥渋t鈥檚 a real problem.鈥 He applauded Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham鈥檚 actions to shore up money for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits following cuts from what he called the 鈥淏ig Beautiful B.S. Bill.鈥

Haaland said as governor she would call members of Congress and express the need to hold Trump鈥檚 feet to the fire, adding that she 鈥渉as done it before.鈥 In the one apparent criticism of the night, Bregman responded 鈥淚鈥檓 not aware, Deb, of any holding Trump鈥檚 feet to the fire on your part, but I鈥檒l accept your answer.鈥

Both candidates blasted the Trump administration鈥檚 immigration enforcement.

Haaland said, as governor, she would not allow any state resources to be used for federal immigration action and would keep agents out of schools and churches. Bregman said he would charge immigration agents who violate people鈥檚 rights and due process, saying the Constitution was 鈥渘ot just words on a page.鈥

In closing remarks, Bregman again hearkened back to the name of the event, saying 鈥渢he games of the future are not games.鈥 He said he had a proven track record of leadership in his role as DA and wanted to use that leadership to address education, healthcare and affordability statewide.

"I want the opportunity to stand up for every single New Mexican," he said.

Haaland called the gubernatorial race a 鈥渂reak glass moment鈥 鈥 with the Trump administration 鈥渨reaking havoc鈥 on New Mexico through cuts to SNAP benefits and healthcare. She asked for those in the audience and anyone listening to join her campaign.

鈥淚 believe a better New Mexico is possible,鈥 Haaland said.

The event will air on New Mexico PBS Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 9 p.m. and 鈥 after it airs 鈥 will be streaming on the PBS app and NMPBS YouTube channel.

A Journal Poll published April 26 found 52% of likely Democratic and independent voters surveyed said they planned to vote for Haaland, while 30% expressed support for Bregman. The remaining voters were undecided.

New Mexico鈥檚 primary election will take place June 2, with the general election set for November.