Article and photo by Mary Alice Murphy

GCFRW members who attended monthly luncheon surround Michelle Garcia Holmes

Michelle Garcia Holmes, lieutenant governor candidate, on the ticket with Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce, spoke at the monthly luncheon of the Grant County Federated Republican Women.

Garcia Holmes described the differences between her and Pearce and the Democratic opposition as "polar opposites, from beginning of life to end of life."

She said she started an initiative against late-term abortion. "We, as Republicans, have to speak out on life. I have been speaking out against abortions, especially late-term abortions. I was challenged at only one event. I decided it was time we talk about the elephant in the room. This is life, people. We decided to set up a pro-life summit in Albuquerque. We took flyers around to churches. We expected about 50 people at the event. Almost 3000 showed up. We had legislators there who have submitted pro-life legislation. What was really exciting was when we got some anonymous funding for a pro-life billboard. We got enough for six pro-life billboards in Albuquerque. They say Vote Pro-life. Vote your New Mexican traditions. It is an issue that is resonating with voters across the state."

"I used to be a Democrat," Garcia Holmes said. "When I first registered to vote, my mom was a Democrat, and my Republican grandmother was sitting there, but my mother told me to register as a Democrat, so I did, but as you can see, I have since changed my registration."

She described running with Pearce as a "blessing. He's got such common sense, and together we can get things done to improve businesses and education. When you vote for us, you are voting for hard workers. We don't just talk, we do things."

She took questions from those at the luncheon.