By Mary Alice Murphy

"I think we can do better," Steve Pearce told New Mexico press representatives at a call on Monday afternoon. "In fact, we must do better."

He said he was one of six children raised on a small farm in the town of Nadine. "My mother worked in the fields when she could get work. When she became a teacher, she felt as if she had been freed."

"I'm the only one of the six who has stayed in New Mexico," Pearce said. "It's my home.

"I'm running for governor to change the direction of the state," he continued. "We are a multi-cultural state, with the most beautiful scenery anywhere. We have 400 years of the Indian tribes, the Hispanics and the Anglos working together. We can continue that and do better."

Jeff Tucker from the Roswell Daily Record asked Pearce if he had any idea who would succeed him in Congress.

Pearce said he has talked to several who would like to take his place. "Every election, we led in getting the highest number of votes in the Second Congressional District. I believe we can continue to win the seat. We have five different demographics in this district."

M.E. Sprengelmeyer of the Guadalupe Communicator said to Pearce: "You know the landscape is different for statewide runs for office. Did you learn anything from your loss to Sen. Udall? It will be tough on the party that has the president in office."

"I learned that I shouldn't run in a landslide year," Pearce said. "I'm viewed independently. I have already started fighting against Trump. People like my business background rather than a lawyer.

"I have a vision to draw Republicans and Democrats together on education and children's issues," Pearce said. "I am passionate about going straight against poverty."

A press representative, who didn't introduce himself, asked if Pearce could highlight ways he had broken with Trump.

"I told President Trump to his face on the first health care bill that it was a flawed bill and I could not vote for it," Pearce said. "As a result, he tweeted he would run someone against me in the primary. I am also against his border wall. Even before the election, I said I would support the president, if Trump was elected, but I did not endorse him. I was against the way he talked about Hispanics. But it was never personal. I work with both sides of the aisle. We may disagree, but we don't blame each other."

Matthew with another state publication asked how Pearce would differ from the current New Mexico administration.

"I think my business background will set us apart," Pearce replied. "She comes from a law enforcement background, which is fine, but you don't run companies out of the state.

"I have ideas on solutions," he continued. "I think we're going for the same things—clean water and clean air, but we need jobs to find a balance."

He said he would like to move education and its management closer to the classroom. "Teachers need a bigger voice. We are running out of teachers, because they are leaving. They tell me they don't have time to teach. It's because of bad management decisions."

To a question about Medicaid and how Pearce would make sure the cuts would still allow more people to get covered.

"If you look at the next 10 years, there are no cuts to Medicaid," Pearce said. "It would grow from $350 million now to $500 million. That's not a cut. We have to make sure people have a safety net."

Tucker asked Pearce what he would like people to know and understand what Pearce did for the state. "In Otero County, we were worried about the military."

Pearce said he and the New Mexico Senators got the F-16s brought to Alamogordo. "The governor has sway with the congressional delegation. We have requested a pilot program in Lincoln National Forest for thinning trees. If we put people back to work thinning the forests, we will increase water resources and have fewer catastrophic fires."

Tucker also asked how Pearce sees the relationship between the governor and federal agencies.

"I have been very critical of the Forest Service," Pearce said. "One hundred years ago, the forests had 25 trees to the acre; now it's thousands to the acre. We will point out when things are incorrectly managed."

Tucker continued and asked how Pearce could balance the New Mexico state budget and get improvements to infrastructure.

"We need a state that is friendly to business," Pearce replied. "I know people who live in Las Cruces, who work in El Paso, Texas. We have to be business friendly. New Mexico can't find workers. We're importing jobs, but not using New Mexico workers. I think we can move the budget into balance with more workers and jobs, and not be as dependent on oil and gas, which is cyclical."

Tucker continued the questions. "Is Lt. Gov. John Sanchez going to run for governor or for Congress?"

Pearce said he, John Sanchez and R.J. Berry began talking in December about whom the Republicans should run. "It seems I have the positive reputation with good name recognition. It looked like I had the best shot. We ran polls. I don't know what Sanchez's plans are."

Sprengelmeyer asked about the Legislature putting a tax on all online sales. "Amazon has agreed to collect the state sales tax. Would you enact or impose sales tax on all online retailers?"

"I would do a careful analysis," Pearce replied. "I have no position on it at this time."

He said he did a tour across the northern part of the state and another across the southern part of the state. "I believe I can get Republicans and Democrats together. The last three times I spoke to the Legislature, I agreed that representatives and senators should run with their parties, but after the election, they should be working together as New Mexicans. I will require work across party lines. I don't look with contempt on anyone with a different point of view. I believe working together will be a format that will work here."