Is it painful enough for you to try an alternative solution?
Thirty-six years ago, my good buddy listened to me complain about my business partner and threatening to split up the company for the umpteenth time. This time, when he responded, he did not ask when I was going to strike out on my own, but stated, "There is no right time, to make decisions such as this. It is when you have enough pain and anguish that you move on. When you have had enough, you will make the decision.
I never complained to my buddy after that conversation, and within six months, we separated the one company into two, mine being Mick Rich Contractors. At the time, I was thirty-four years old, married, and had three young children and a company with no staff, contracts, or clients.
This year, we celebrated 45 years of going into business (my partner and I) and 35 years of being on my own. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Yes. Even when my company was struggling, and his company was flying high (I will admit at those times, I was a bit envious).
I never regretted the decision.
To New Mexico's Republicans:
It is no longer a matter of winning or losing elections. It is about the Great State of New Mexico becoming the Failed State of New Mexico. It is about your children and grandchildren leaving you behind to pursue a bright future elsewhere. But worse, they stay, and you receive a knock on the door that your child or grandchild is dead on the street in Albuquerque.
Are you committed to taking whatever step necessary to lift New Mexico out of the dustbin of states? If so, show up and fight for your children and grandchildren's future at Republican County events. Register to become a County Central Committee Delegate and a State Committee Delegate. If what you are hearing doesn't make sense, question what is being said.
To New Mexico's Republican County Leadership:
You have given us your best and did your best, and our Republican Candidates still lost. We cannot continue the same path you have led us down. We have been trudging in circles, and the results of the November 7 election confirm it. We need new leadership to read today's political landscape without yesterday's biases.
I ask you to submit a letter of resignation to your County Central Committee and let them decide to reject or accept your letter of resignation. If they reject your resignation, then demand they recommit to helping every Republican Candidate win in 2024. If they accept your resignation, schedule an election for the new county leadership as quickly as possible. New Mexico cannot wait until after the 2024 election.
To Our Elected Republicans:
The biggest difference I noticed between Republican County events was those held in the Rio Grande Valley had few if any, elected officials. The most surprising was when they attended, they kept themselves separate from the" rank and file." At one event, I saw a state representative sit alone with their belongings packed around them so no one could sit next to them.
We need our elected Republican Officials to attend monthly Republican County events. You are the proof that we can win elections. We need inspiration for our future Republican Leaders. Most importantly, we are appreciated by our elected Republican Officials.
It is unfair but needed. We need those elected State Representatives and Senators to attend Republican County Events that do not have a Republican Representative or Senator. We need your encouragement.
To Steve Pearce:
Every athletic coach, business CEO owner, and military general understands that their first task is to bring people together before facing outside challenges. You won your election to State Party Chair at the cost of continued division between urban and rural (Rio Grande Valley and the remaining parts) New Mexico. So, it is unsurprising that the New Mexico Republican Party has been losing elections.
It is time for Steve Pearce to submit a letter of resignation to our State Central Committee. I ask the State Central Committee to seek new leadership and schedule an election quickly. New Mexico cannot wait until after the 2024 election.
To Jay McCleskey:
It is time you pack up your tent and move on. Your fundraising, media buying, polling, and campaign consulting organizations have run through the available young talent, hopeful candidates, and money.
To ensure McCleskey's minute is over in New Mexico, the State Central Committee should pass a measure to end the practice of one company providing fundraising, media buying, polling, and campaign consulting for candidates.
Conclusion
When I moved to New Mexico in 1980, it was an exciting, vibrant state. It happened in New Mexico, whether in the sciences, arts, or college sports. The corruption of the Richardson Administration has seeped into every facet of our state, where we find ourselves at the bottom of all fifty states, and the job expansion is the addiction industries (legal and illegal drug trade, liquor, breweries, and sex trades).
In 2018, I never imagined that the New Mexico Republican leadership would undermine my campaign and that of other candidates. I also did not imagine in 2018 that those individuals would still be around.
I am not looking to lead the Republican Party of New Mexico or run for office. I am fighting for the good people in our great state who deserve better.
Join Me
I apologize for this late notice. My business has been good, which fills most of the time. I wrote this article on Sunday and needed time to contemplate if this article would be worth the fight.
Frank Ruvolo has invited me to discuss this article with those attending his Friday Morning Gathering that meets at the Bernalillo Republican Party office at 8900 San Mateo Blvd NE. Doors open at 8:00 am and close at 10:00.
If you want me to facilitate discussions at your Republican Event, please let me know.