Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, Michelle Garcia Holmes, met in Silver City Tuesday afternoon with local Republicans. Garcia Holmes told the crowd that she was looking forward to running on the same ticket with New Mexico Republican Congressman Steve Pearce, currently representing New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, who is running for governor.

Garcia Holmes is opposed in the Republican primary by Mark Yule of Taos. Pearce does not face opposition in the primary, to be held June 5.

Garcia Holmes is a former Albuquerque police detective and also was chief of staff for state Attorney General Gary King. As a detective she worked on crimes against children cases and violent crimes. While at the Attorney General's office, she also helped start the first Statewide government corruption investigative unit. Her campaign will focus on the rising crime rate in New Mexico (an area she feels she is well qualified to address), right to life (banning late-term abortions), supporting small business and jobs, and education. Garcia Holmes declared, "Businesses are the lifeblood of our communities we need to be more supportive of our small businesses and offer easier ways to start up a business in our state."

Garcia Holmes ran unsuccessfully as an independent for Mayor of Albuquerque last year. She changed her registration to Republican, because she feels that Party's conservative values and stance on issues more closely reflect her own views.

As an Albuquerque resident, she will bring geographic balance to a Republican ticket headed by Pearce, who is well known in southeastern New Mexico.

Interested supporters can get in touch with her campaign at www.Ltgov2018.com.