March 6, 2020 – Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel discuss the effort by the state’s GOP to turn New Mexico from a blue state into a red one, with a push to register Hispanic oil field workers to vote. Voter turnout for Republicans during the 2018 election was very low in Lea and Eddy Counties, and GOP leaders hope getting more people to register will get more to the polls. While they will register future voters regardless of their party preference, they hope to persuade workers in the oil and gas business toward the energy-friendly Republican party. 

Line Panelists:
Dan Foley, former state representative
Julie Ann Grimm, editor, Santa Fe Reporter
Christine Sierra, UNM political science professor emerita
Diane Snyder, former state senator

For Further Reading:
New Mexico GOP targeting Hispanic voters in oil fields — Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico GOP Hopefuls Launch Early Ads for US House Seat  — Associated Press
Trump Vows to Win New Mexico, Return to State “Soon” — Santa Fe New Mexican